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Sept. 2009 -- Update on Scale Back Alabama 2010

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Thank you again for your participation in last year’s contest.  We hope you were successful in forming new, healthy habits and that you’ll consider participating in the program in January of 2010.  Don’t forget to watch the Web site in early January for information on where you can go to weigh in and register.

In this update, we wanted to give you some exciting information from last year’s contest as well as encourage you to stay active during the fall.

First, during last year’s contest, a grand total of 183,135 pounds were lost among the 40,772 people who participated. Six hundred and ninety (690) teams reported weight loss of 10 or more pounds from all four members; 9,701 participants lost 10 or more pounds, regardless of the rest of the team; and the average weight loss was 14.22 pounds for those losing ten pounds or more.  Weight loss is just one of the many positive results that evolve from making important lifestyle changes. The chart below outlines some of those positive results we learned about through our survey of Scale Back participants:

Fall Tips on Staying Active:

As we start thinking about Scale Back Alabama 2010, and as temperatures start to cool down, we encourage you to take advantage of the many fun, fitness opportunities Alabama provides.  It is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the changing scenery. Alabama ’s location provides a unique opportunity to hike in some of the most diverse and beautiful woodlands in the South. Many of the state’s parks and public lands, such as Cheaha State Park and Alabama 's National Forests, offer a variety of hiking and mountain biking trails.

Listed below are a few of the state parks that Alabama has to offer.  For the complete list of state parks, go to www.alapark.com.

·       Chattahoochee Park - This scenic 596-acre park offers hook-ups and amenities for recreational vehicles, picnic areas, hiking trails, horseback riding, biking, swimming, fishing and camping. 

·       Cheaha State Park - Surrounded by the Talladega National Forest , this foothill of the Appalachian Mountains holds the reputation of the highest point in Alabama .

·         Chewacla State Park - Chewacla State Park's 696 scenic acres features a 26-acre lake, swimming area, playgrounds, hiking trails, a modern campground, picnic areas with tables, and grills and shelters

·        Desoto State Park - Desoto State Park features a picnic area with playground, Olympic-size swimming pool, nature center with interpretive programs and live animals, tennis courts and 15 miles of hiking & mountain biking trails.  

·         Gulf State Park - Consisting of 6,150 acres with two miles of sugar white sand beaches, Gulf   State Park has modern and primitive camping, cottages, trails and fishing. There is also tennis, group pavilions, 18-hole golf course, 900 acre lake for fishing, swimming and water skiing, nature programs and picnic areas. 

·        Rickwood Caverns - The 260 million-year-old limestone formations, blind cave fish and underground pool are just a few of the natural wonders exhibited in the colorful Rickwood Caverns. The park features an Olympic-size swimming pool, snack bar, picnic area, large and small picnic shelters, hiking trails, playground, campground and gift shop.

Listed below are a few of the national forests that Alabama has to offer.  For the complete list, go to www.fs.fed.us/r8/alabama/forests/.  

·        Bankhead National Forest - There are six recreation areas scattered about the Bankhead National Forest, each offering a unique experience of its own. Facilities for camping, picnicking, fishing, hiking and swimming are abundant.

·        Conecuh National Forest - The area is open year round and features the Conecuh Trail that winds 20 miles through Alabama's coastal plain.

·        Tuskegee National Forest - The scenic Bartram Trail, located in the Tuskegee National Forest , is the first trail in Alabama to be designated as a National Recreation Trail. The trail runs through the Tuskegee National Forest for about eight and one half (8 1/2) miles.

Fresh Air Family also provides a way for Alabamians to exercise in the outdoors.  Fresh Air Family explores nature in places all over the state of Alabama .  Founded in 2006, the program features hiking, camping, canoeing, birding, star gazing, fossil hunting, orienteering and caving.  Fresh Air Family brings together people from diverse backgrounds, partners them with highly trained experts, and explores the natural world.  Membership and most of their programs are free.  For more details, go to www.freshairfamily.org.  Fresh Air Family’s calendar of events is available at www.freshairfamily.org/calendarandevents.html.

With the fall weekends full of sporting events, take the time to walk around college or high school campuses, before and/or after the game. And while you are planning for the activities, don’t forget to include a few healthy game day snacks to enjoy.  Make this season a fun, family event by getting your loved ones in on the action of preparing the snacks and increased walking! For easy food ideas visit http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/ and search for snacks.

Again, we encourage you to continue to eat less and move more and to consider participating in Scale Back Alabama 2010.

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