Fitness program starts after fair
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It was a combination that saw her weight climb to 255 pounds this February.
“I wasn’t walking or doing anything but working,” said Abrams.
Since that time, she had dedicated herself to shedding the pounds. And her plan of regular exercise, combined with a better diet, has worked.
Abrams is now down to 211 pounds – a 44 pound difference in just seven months.
“I prefer to walk out here on the track because it’s a change of scenery,” said Abrams while doing laps at the Civic Center on Friday with her daughter, Jessica Meade. “But if it’s raining or too cold, I go inside and use the treadmill. I walk three miles three times a week.”
Organizers are hoping other local residents can achieve weight loss results like Abrams, and that’s the driving force behind a new coalition called Warren County Shapes Up. The group is promoting a six-week program that challenges Warren County residents to make minor changes to their eating habits and level of physical activity with the goal of accomplishing better fitness.
“The largest and the most serious health crisis ever to face the United States is here,” said organizer Hilda Lytle. “It is a result of our lifestyles, nutrition and lack of physical activity.”
Our growing waistlines are leading to a growing number of serious health problems including diabetes, heart attack and stroke.
National statistics aren’t pretty. They show two out of three U.S. adults are overweight or obese. Combined with figures that show 75 percent of all school-age students do not participate in any kind of moderate physical activity and the likelihood for continued weight problems is already established.
The six-week Warren County Shapes Up program starts Sept. 19, the week after the fair. “You can still enjoy your funnel cakes at the fair and take part in the program,” said Lytle.
Local participants won’t be required to eat nothing but carrots and jog two miles a day. Instead, the program is encouraging mild changes that are easy enough to follow they might eventually become a habit.
To register to take the Warren County Shapes Up challenge, stop by the River Park Hospital booth at the fair. It’s located in the same building as the petting zoo. You can also register at the Civic Center during regular business hours.
There is a level 1 program for beginners, and a level 2 program for more active people.
Warren County Shapes Up
Level I
Week 1: 15 minutes of exercise for 3 days
Week 2: Add drinking 6, 8-ounce glasses of water
Week 3: Add eating a healthy breakfast for 5 days
Week 4: Increase exercise time to 20 minutes for 5 days
Week 5: Add eating at least 5 fruits and vegetables
Week 6: Add a stress reliever for 2 days
Level II
Week 1: Drink 6, 8-ounce glasses of water and exercise 20 minutes 3 days a week
Week 2: Add eating a healthy breakfast for 5 days
Week 3: Increase above exercise to 30 minutes 5 days a week
Week 4: Add eating at least 5 fruits and vegetables for 5 days
Week 5: Add weight training for 3 days a week
Week 6: Add a stress reliever 2 days week