MONTGOMERY- Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday announced his participation in Scale Back Alabama, a statewide weight loss contest designed to help Alabama fight obesity and encourage Alabamians to develop healthy habits.

Joining Governor Bentley on his team are Lt. Governor Kay Ivey, State Health Officer Dr. Don Williamson, and Revenue Commissioner Julie Magee. 

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts, 70% of Alabamians are overweight. One of Governor Bentley's top priorities is improving the health of people in this state.

"As a physician, the health of our state is very important to me," Governor Bentley said. "I made a personal commitment to lose 10 pounds and keep it off.  Scale Back Alabama is a perfect way to help Alabamians lose weight and develop healthy lifestyle commitments.”

“My team and I will work together over the next 10 weeks to incorporate smarter eating decisions into our daily lives,” Bentley added. “I appreciate Lt. Governor Ivey, Revenue Commissioner Magee, and State Health Officer Williamson joining me in Scale Back Alabama.”

“I am honored to be a part of Governor Bentley’s leadership team, working toward a healthier Alabama,” Lt. Governor Ivey said. “One of the best habits to develop is a healthy lifestyle. I look forward to learning beneficial health tips in order to not only improve my own lifestyle, but also the lives of my fellow Alabamians.”

Revenue Commissioner Julie Magee said by joining the Scale Back Alabama team, she hopes to motivate herself to diet and exercise.

“As the owner of a personal fitness facility, I know how vital it is to be fit and healthy,” Magee said. “I've not been as diligent with my diet and exercise as I used to be, so joining the Governor's team is going to motivate me to get fit.”

 “Scale Back Alabama is about more than short-term weight loss; it's about providing a foundation for a lifetime change in behavior,” State Health Officer Dr. Don Williamson said. “Given Alabama’s problem with obesity, more than two-thirds of us should lose some weight.”

Scale Back Alabama is sponsored by Alabama’s hospitals and the Alabama Department of Public Health, with underwriting by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. It is a 10-week program and is targeted to adults 18 and older. 

“We are extremely pleased that the state’s doctor governor is among those participating in Scale Back Alabama,” Rosemary Blackmon, Executive Vice President/COO of the Alabama Hospital Association said. “And while we had to make an exception for the governor and his team to weigh in late due to last week’s tornadoes, we believe it is well worth it to have the state’s highest officer leading the charge toward a healthier Alabama.  The team will not be eligible for the cash prize drawing, but Governor Bentley and his team will certainly benefit from knowing that they have inspired others to eat less and move more.”