BWWMH to serve as Scale Back Alabama site

Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital invites local residents to sign up in teams of four for the statewide weight-loss, Scale Back Alabama, beginning Jan. 16.

Now in its eighth year, the purpose of Scale Back Alabama’s 10-week contest is to help the state fight its challenge with obesity by encouraging Alabamians to lose weight, to exercise and to have fun while doing it.

Last year’s campaign drew over 27,000 people in almost every county with a cumulative reported weight loss of more than one million pounds.

“Everyone sees the new year as the perfect time to form good habits for good health,” said Betsy Adams, Wellness Center Coordinator at BWWMH. “To participate in Scale Back Alabama, just find three other people to be on your team and come to the Wellness Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 18 or between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on January 20-24 to weigh and register. There is no charge to participate in the program and there are cash prize drawings at the end.”

According to Adams, the goal is to lose a pound a week during the 10-week period. “We want everyone to have a healthy weight loss, not go on a crash diet,” she adds.

Throughout the contest, the statewide organization will provide participants with helpful tips such as how to eat healthier portions and how to make exercise a part of their normal routine.

The contest is geared toward adults ages 18 and older, and additional information on the times and locations for all public weigh-in sites is listed on the Scale Back Alabama website at www.scalebackalabama.com.

Scale Back Alabama is a public awareness campaign hosted by Alabama‘s hospitals and the Alabama Department of Public Health, with support from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. For more information, visit www.scalebackalabama.com.