Iowans have another chance to lose weight and become more active as the latest “Lighten Up Iowa” program officially kicked-off this morning. The five-month program involves teams of two to ten people who monitor their weight-loss and physical activity. It is the third year the Iowa Games has helped administer the program. Games executive diretor Jim Hallihan says they’ve had two very successful years in which 20-thousand Iowans have taken part and lost 65-thousand pounds and logged more than four-and-a-half million miles. He says he believes this years is going to be even bigger because they have 10 major coroporations that’re going to be promoting the program to all their employees through their wellness programs. “Lighten Up Iowa” allows the Iowa Games to have a positive impact on Iowans outide of their sports festivals. Hallihan says there’s a large percentage of the population that needs to get more active, lose weight and eat healthier. He says “Lighten up Iowa” impacts those who may not take part in a competetive event. He says a lot of people like to jog, but not everyone likes to enter a race, so there’s a limit on how many people will enter the Iowa Games. The program runs through June 8th and if you have not signed up to take part Hallihan says you still can.
