City Partners with Scale Back Alabama for Healthy 2017
Published on January 11, 2017
Over the past 10 years, more than 1.3 million pounds have been shed across the state through the annual Scale Back Alabama program, and folks are again stepping on the scales and beginning a concentrated weight-loss effort.
Healthy Huntsville, an initiative by the City of Huntsville to encourage healthier lifestyle choices, is partnering with Scale Back Alabama and Parks & Recreation to help people meet their resolutions to lose weight. And it’s starting at the top: Mayor Tommy Battle and City attorney Trey Riley are teaming up as the “Hefty Boyz” to compete in Scale Back Alabama.
Scale Back Alabama will be registering participants through Wednesday, Jan. 18. The first step is to go through a weigh-in. Dr. Richard Showers Sr. Recreation Center and Optimist Recreation Center, two Parks & Recreation locations, are official weigh-in and weigh-out sites. Weigh-ins at Optimist from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and the Showers weigh-ins are Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 9 a.m. and 2:30 and from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The two-person teams must lose at least 10 pounds apiece during the 10-week period, with prize-winning teams drawn at random from all eligible teams. The first three teams win $1,000 for each member, the next three win $500 per member, and the final three winners drawn win $250 per member.
Healthy Huntsville will support the Scale Back Alabama competitors through numerous ways to be healthy in diet and exercise through its Facebook page. The Huntsville Parks & Recreation Department offers a plethora of classes, activities, athletics and events at its facilities to stay active and meet goals.
Healthy Huntsville, led by the City of Huntsville and Parks & Recreation, is sponsored by Huntsville Hospital, Huntsville City Schools, HudsonAlpha and the Huntsville-Madison County Health Department. It offers free programs throughout the year with a goal of reducing obesity by promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles.
“We want to be the catalyst for change and to show our citizens that there is a better way,” Battle said. “We already know that Huntsville is one of the smartest places to live in the country. If we can raise awareness about the serious health risk that obesity has on the quality and longevity of our lives and how easily those extra pounds can lead to diabetes, then we can also make Huntsville one of the fittest places.”
Participation in Scale Back Alabama is just one of the signature events for Healthy Huntsville.
On Thursday, May 4, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama will sponsor a walk during lunch out at Big Spring Park.
On Saturday, May 6, the annual Mayor’s Bike Ride to promote bicycle exercise and safety will be held downtown.
Every Saturday morning in June, hour-long fitness classes will be held at Big Spring Park and from August through December, Mayor Battle’s “100 Miles in 100 Days” walking challenge will be held, with special event walks to be held at Huntsville Botanical Garden, U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Dr. Richard Showers Recreation Center, Arts Huntsville, Williams School and the Tinsel Trail.
Follow Healthy Huntsville, Huntsville Parks and Recreation and Scale Back Alabama on Facebook to stay updated on all the latest information.
