Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Governor, Lt. Governor Make New Year's Resolution For State Government: Let's Get Moving!
Departments Asked to Compete in “Lighten Up Iowa”; Will Proclaim “Lighten Up Iowa Day”
DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge are encouraging state employees to join Lighten Up Iowa and do their part to make state government a model of fitness.
“With the new year comes a new set of resolutions, and this year we are resolving to make state employees as healthy as they can possibly be,” Lt. Governor Judge said. “Lighten Up Iowa is a proven winner in helping people all across the state meet their fitness and activity goals. I am looking forward to joining Lighten Up Iowa, and I encourage all state employees, and all Iowans to make this program a success.”
State departments and agencies have been asked to recruit teams to join and compete in a unique Lighten Up Iowa program for state employees called the “Culver/Judge 100-day Challenge.” This program will allow departments to compete against each other allow for a running total of activity and weight lost by state employees, and to show their commitment, the Governor’s Office will be competing as well.
In addition to encouraging all state employees to form teams and compete, Governor Culver and Lt. Governor Judge encourages all Iowans to join their family, friends and co-workers and shed unwanted pounds, become more active and make positive long-term changes in daily health habits.
According to the Iowa Department of Public Health Director Tom Newton, the state-wide effort has a number of benefits. “We know that healthier employees, no matter where they work, are more productive,” Newton said. “What’s more, when Iowans are healthy, health care costs to our state are dramatically reduced.”
Lighten Up Iowa (LUI) is a 100 Day Challenge that encourages Iowans to be more active and make healthier food choices. Few programs have had a greater impact on helping Iowans lose unwanted pounds and lead healthy lifestyles. The program will start on January 16 and end April 24, 2008. Participants will be provided weekly e-mails with tips and ideas on how to choose healthier foods and ideas for becoming more physically active, with an overall goal of incorporating health into everyday life.
In addition, participants will receive a T-shirt, an access card that will allow them to free or reduced memberships at certain health clubs across the state, and the opportunity to win monthly incentives. As a paid registrant, you can sign up for the subscription of your choice (6 magazine choices) upon logging onto your personal dashboard.
This year’s cost is $15.00 per participant and $10.00 shipping and handling per team. Hy-Vee, Coca-Cola and the Iowa Sports Foundation offer a $5.00 off the registration fee through a promotional code that will be available at the Live Healthy America kiosks in all Hy-Vee stores mid-January.
Online registration is taking place now at www.lightenupiowa.org .
Lighten Up Iowa is brought to you by the Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa Sports Foundation (dba Iowa Games) and Iowa State University Extension.
The Lt. Governor will mark the beginning of the annual fitness program by declaring “Lighten Up Iowa Day.” She will do so in a ceremony on Thursday in her office at 9:00 am, and will be joined by representatives from the program.