02/02/2012

County teams continue AAC 'Take a Load Off' weight loss challenge

Teams collectively lose 274 pounds by first weigh-in

LITTLE ROCK — County officials and employees across the state of Arkansas joined the Association of Arkansas Counties “Take A Load Off” Weight Loss Challenge in January, and have successfully made it through the first scheduled weigh-in. The association proposed the friendly competition aimed at better health to counties throughout Arkansas in December.

Eight teams officially weighed in at 14,667 pounds on Jan. 3. With one month of the challenge completed, those eight teams collectively lost 274 pounds or about 1.9 percent of their beginning weight. The next weigh-in is scheduled for Feb. 27. The challenge will conclude April 3. 

Teams' progress through first month: 

• The Calorie Crushers (Pulaski County) lost 72 pounds or 2.73 percent.
  
• The Big Macks (Benton County Juvenile Detention) lost 65 pounds or 2.29 percent.    
  
• The Dream Team (Cleveland County) lost 25 pounds or 2.15 percent.
  
• Sharon's Super Squad (Cleveland County) lost 20 pounds or 1.82 percent.
  
• A Ton of Fun (Little RIver County) lost 25 pounds or .94 percent.
  
• The Slow Pokes (Poinsett County) lost 5 pounds or .8 percent.
  
• Damsels in Distress (Benton County, Division III) unchanged.
  
• The Triple Threat Team, now called Double Trouble because they lost a team member due to pregnancy, (Benton County Clerks) was unchanged.

The AAC team, All Around Changers, lost 77 pounds or 3.24 percent. All Around Changers are challenging each other and will not be considered in the overall challenge.

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.

Teams were comprised of at least two 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.

The third weigh-in will be Feb. 27 and the final weigh-in will be April 3, 2012. 

The AAC's mission is to support and promote the idea that all elected officials must have the opportunity to act together in order to solve mutual problems as a unified group.To further this goal,the Association of Arkansas Counties is committed to providing a single source of cooperative support and information for all counties and county and district officials.The overall purpose of the Association of Arkansas Counties is to work for the improvement of county government in the state of Arkansas. The Association accomplishes this purpose by providing legislative representation, on-site assistance, general research, training, various publications and conferences to assist county officials in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of their office. The AAC was established in 1968 and is headquartered in Little Rock.