The YMCA of Tuscaloosa County will be serving as a weigh-in site for the state’s largest weight-loss and exercise program, Scale Back Alabama. In its 12th year, the program has resulted in 1.35 million pounds lost and the continued establishment of healthy lifestyles. The 2018 contest starts Jan. 22.
Adults in teams of two can go online to scalebackalabama.com/join to register for the free nine-week program and then go to the Tuscaloosa YMCA Family Center, 2300 13th St., to weigh in at the following times:
• 5 a.m.-7 p.m. Jan. 22
• 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 27
All participants must be 18 years of age and older, live or work in Alabama and must weigh-in at an official site to be eligible to participate. Those who lose at least 10 pounds will be included in a drawing for cash prizes on April 17.
• Team prizes (if both team members lose 10 pounds): Three teams are drawn to win $1,000 per team member; three teams are drawn to win $500 per team member; three teams are drawn to win $250 per team member.
• Individual prizes (if a team member loses 10 pounds, but his or her team mate does not): 40 individuals are drawn to win $100 each.
“This is a great initiative to help Alabamians stick to their New Year’s resolutions and be rewarded," said Stephanie Reinhart, associate executive director of the Tuscaloosa YMCA.
“At the Y, we know the importance of good health and we look forward to providing our community with healthy tips and encouragement," Reinhart said. "People working to lose weight are more successful with support and encouragement, and Scale Back Alabama offers a fun way to team up with another individual to get healthy.”
Scale Back Alabama is a collaboration of the Alabama Hospital Association, the Alabama Department of Public Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama.
Scale Back Alabama is designed to address the state’s challenge with obesity: Alabama is third in the nation in terms of adult obesity with a rate of 35.7 percent.
The event's website advises people to check with their health care provider before beginning a new exercise or diet regimen.
In 2017, Scale Back Alabama particpants shed a total of 57,761 pounds.
For more information, visit scalebackalabama.com or visit Scale Back Alabama’s Facebook page.