12/05/2011

AAC announces “Take a Load Off” weight-loss challenge

The collective county family across the state of Arkansas has lost a few beloved county officials and ex-officials to heart attacks this past year and many more have been diagnosed with weight-related issues. The AAC has decided to challenge the counties to become more aware of the health dangers of being overweight and the personal rewards enjoyed when reaching healthy goals. This challenge is a team-building opportunity where the AAC encourages supporting your teammates and other teams. This weight-loss challenge ties into the National Association of Counties president’s “Healthy Counties” initiative. 

NACo President Lenny Eliason vowed to focus on his initiative of "Healthy Counties," a county-by-county public awareness campaign to promote healthy living and lifestyle choices in communities across the country.

The AAC challenges Arkansas county officials and employees to join a statewide weight-loss competition to begin Jan. 3, 2012.  

“We wanted to do something fun with county officials and employees across the state, and at the same time, we thought organizing a weight-loss challenge could make a positive impact on those we serve and ourselves,” Chris Villines, AAC executive director, said. “We all could benefit from the team concept to help keep a weight-loss plan successful and longer lasting than the national statistics.”

The challenge hinges on county officials and employees forming teams to participate in the 90-day contest.

Teams are encouraged to share e-mail addresses so that everyone taking the challenge can share recipes, tips, funny quotes, thoughts of the day, etc.

“We want county departments and/or individual counties to signup in an effort to start 2012 on the right foot,” Villines said. “The competition between county departments and between participating counties should be a lot of fun.”

The winning team will earn bragging rights, healthier futures and a feature in the Spring 2012 edition of County Lines magazine and coverage on AAC’s Web site and facebook page and special recognition at the annual AAC conference.

Contest rules, regulations and information

Contest time period will be Jan. 3 –April 3, 2012

AAC “Take a load off” challenge coordinator: Cathy Perry, cperry@aacrms.com, (501) 372-7550

Teams need to be comprised of at least three players. Teams’ scores will be determined by percentage of weight loss by the entire team. The team with the largest percentage of weight loss at the end of the contest period will be the winner. We will trust the honor system and team photos will be submitted at the beginning and end of the contest. Personal weight-loss numbers will not be shared; only pounds lost by team, inches (if team chooses to measure) and percentages of team weight loss.

1. Designate a “team captain” or team leader for your team who will be responsible for recording initial weight, subsequent weigh-ins and sharing those results with the Cathy Perry, AAC coordinator.
2. Assemble at least three team members, name your team, and take a photo and weigh-in by Jan. 3, 2012. Individual team captains will record weigh-in data and results will be forwarded to Cathy Perry, cperry@aacrms.com.
3. Initial team weigh-in information along with group photo should be provided to AAC by Jan. 3, 2012. Captains should report total team weight only, not individual weight.
4. Second weigh-in due by Jan. 30, third weigh-in due by Feb. 27 and the final weigh-in along with team photo will be due by April 3, 2012. AAC will organize, rank and share results after each weigh-in deadline.
5. Winning team will receive feature story in the Spring 2012 County Lines magazine, coverage on AAC’s Web site and facebook page and a special presentation at the AAC conference.