A continuous battle against obesity is being fought all over the United States, especially in Alabama. The Auburn community has taken initiative by adopting a competitive weight-loss program, Scale Back Alabama, to instill healthy habits.
Scale Back Alabama will begin this week, Jan. 25-29, with weigh-in stations around Lee County.
According to Tammy Hollis, Healthy Tigers Wellness Initiative coordinator, this year will be the eighth anniversary of Alabamians dropping 10 pounds in pursuit of prizes and healthy lifestyles. Teams of two work to lose 10 pounds in 10 weeks, with an end goal of being entered into a drawing for prizes.
Hollis said the prizes serve as an fun incentive for a much larger mission that profits lifelong benefits. After the 10 weeks come to a close, those who participated are more likely to uphold the healthy habits they developed during Scale Back Alabama.
Scale Back Alabama is an initiative started by the Alabama Department of Public Health. Through friendly competition, the department is hoping to fight the growing obesity issue in the state of Alabama. Since the first competition in 2007, Alabama has lost more than 1 million pounds collectively.
"We've had many succeed," Hollis said. "But the message we want to share is that even if they don't lose 10, they shouldn't get discouraged. The program is just one stepping stone, and they can build from there."
Monday, Jan. 25, Auburn University employees and their partners kicked off the 10 weeks with a weigh-in at the Walker Building.
Sherry Smith, financial associate of the civil engineering department, showed up and said she was excited to compete with her husband for the first time. Smith said participating in a weight-loss challenge that has a start and finish date, such as Scale Back Alabama, keeps her on track.
"My husband and I are both competitive people, but this is something we are both cheering each other through," Smith said.
Smith and her husband plan on being more active together by walking their dogs and going swimming.
Requiring teams of two pushes participants to encourage their fellow teammates in the fight against weight gain. Teams are given the opportunity to claim a team name, and for David and Tammy Mayo, "The Speed Bumps," this is another element of competitive fun.
Tammy, executive assistant to the Provost, and her husband David, deputy sheriff, are confident they will finish with victory. It is their first year participating in Scale Back Alabama, and they feel that the challenge presented will push them to success.
The two plan to work out at least three times per week through weightlifting and CrossFit. They plan on teaching their children the importance of developing healthy habits early.
The Mayos are grateful for the programs such as Healthy Tigers and Scale Back Alabama that the University provides for its employees.
"I think it is fantastic that the University gives its employees the time and resources to be healthy and successful," Tammy said. "It's refreshing to know that Auburn really cares about those that work here."
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