Take pounds off with Scale Back Alabama

MADISON – Alabama residents can reach at least one of their New Year’s resolutions with encouragement from Scale Back Alabama.

The statewide weight-loss program is free and designed to urge Alabamians to get healthy and enjoy the process. Since the first competition in 2007, Alabamians have lost more than one million pounds.

Scale Back Alabama faces the state’s challenge with obesity. Participants should check their health care provider before beginning a new exercise or diet regimen.

To participate in Scale Back Alabama, an individual must be 18 years old minimum, live or work in Alabama, join a team with two people and register online or visit an official weigh-in site.

Organizers have established numerous guidelines for Scale Back Alabama:

* Team members must register online at scalebackalabama.com or with Scale Back Alabama’s phone app.
* After signing up, partners cannot switch teams. If a team member must drop out, the team isn’t eligible for the grand prize drawing. However, the remaining participant remains eligible for individual prizes.
* Participants should wear regular clothing for weigh-ins.
* Teams must weigh-in at an official Scale Back Alabama weigh-in at specified times.
* Women who are pregnant are not eligible to participate.
* Anyone who has had weight-loss surgery must wait one year after the surgery to enter the contest.
* Weigh-in sites must keep and record the start and final weights for individual team members. Volunteers will keep the weights confidential and share the information only with Scale Back Alabama staff for prize drawings.
* A person can participate only on one team.

Scale Back Alabama’s kick-off date is Jan. 9. The ‘contest’ will end on April 5.

Alabama Hospital Association and Alabama Department of Public Health host Scale Back Alabama. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama provides generous support to the program.

For more information, visit scalebackalabama.com. Click the “Contact Us” link to ask questions.