With residents clamoring for a chance to jump into Get Healthy West Georgia’s 2013 Weight Loss Challenge, the initiative is extending the opportunity for participants to register and weigh in.
More than 1,000 community residents have registered for the 2013 Weight Loss Challenge. With this unprecedented response to the latest Get Healthy West Georgia challenge, the deadline for registering has been extended to midnight on Monday, Feb. 4
“People are excited about this unique opportunity to change their lives,” said Denise Taylor, senior vice president and chief community health strategy and brand officer for Tanner Health System. “Even a modest amount of weight loss can result in a marked improvement in people’s health and even their self esteem. That’s what Get Healthy West Georgia’s 2013 Weight Loss Challenge offers: an opportunity to modify the behaviors that have led to weight gain and take the first steps toward adopting a much healthier life. We’re eager to give as many people as possible the chance to join this program and do something good for themselves, their families and their health.”
The challenge, which requires a weigh-in at the beginning and end, will hold official makeup weigh-ins on Friday, Feb. 1, at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton from 7 to 8 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. across from the Lamplighter gift shop.
“The 12-week challenge, open to all residents over age 18 who live or work in Carroll, Haralson or Heard counties, will still end on April 28, leaving late participants with 11 weeks instead of 12 to participate and lose weight,” said Gina Brandenburg, community outreach coordinator for Tanner Health System and Get Healthy West Georgia. “To participate, area residents simply go to www.GetHealthyWestGeorgia.org, register as a new user, complete a short health assessment, accept the invitation to join the 2013 Weight Loss Challenge and weigh in.”
Participants who are not able to make it to one of the “official” weigh-ins may still register for the challenge by e-mailing their height, weight and optional waist circumference to gethealthy@tanner.org. They will be entered into the challenge, but will not be eligible for the grand prize, an Apple iPad 2, and other major prizes. They can still earn prizes for earning points and prizes during the random drawings throughout the program.
During the challenge, participants will use the Get Healthy West Georgia tracking tool to track their exercise and food intake, chart their weight loss progress and see how they are doing in comparison to others. At the end of the 12-week program following a final weigh-in, the grand prize winner will win an Apple iPad 2, selected in a random drawing of all the participants who lose at least 10 percent of their body weight during the 12-week program. Other prizes include a heart rate monitor/pedometer watch and personal training sessions.
Interest in the program has been high, with almost 150 participants turning out for a recent “Healthy for Life” class hosted by program coordinators and staff from Tanner Health System. The class will continue through April, with dates, times and topics listed on www.GetHealthyWestGeorgia.org. A few spaces remain for those who would like to enroll in the free class. Registration is available by calling 770.214.CARE.
Sponsored by Tanner Health System and community partners, the 2013 Weight Loss Challenge is made possible by funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
For more information on the 2013 Weight Loss Challenge, including the rewards and rules, visit www.GetHealthyWestGeorgia.org or call 770.836.9282.