‘Live Healthy Iowa’ successes

Now in the final week of the 2009 Live Healthy Iowa 100-Day Challenge, the success stories are plentiful. Iowans have grabbed hold of the challenge and made a commitment to changing their lives. Here are just a few of the successes:

            “This winter, I saw my weight bouncing around and my habits were getting lazy, exercise and diet, the mid-winter blahs I guess. So when the program began again this year I joined to get revved up again and keep the weight off. And it has worked. My weight remains stable and I feel better with the more disciplined exercise. Thank you Live Healthy Iowa. It’s a great program and keeps me motivated,” said Wanda.

            “Eating right and working out has now become a part of my everyday life.  I really want to thank you for creating this program and motivating me to continue to work at keeping a healthy lifestyle,” said Jeff.

            “Other people still bring doughnuts, cookies and pizza to work, but I do not feel left out or deprived. I console myself by buying new pants, because when I wear my old ones, I look like I am playing dress up in my big sister’s clothes. I am starting to see the woman I know in the mirror. I have missed her. I think I will buy some new sneakers. As the saying goes, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” I say, ‘So you might as well have cute shoes,’” said Judy.

            Over 22,000 Iowans are participating in the 2009 Live Healthy Iowa 100 Day Challenge. These Iowans have lost 85,975 pounds and logged 818,533 hours of activity. Be sure to watch for final statistics as the program wraps up on April 23, 2009.

            Live Healthy Iowa is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa Sports Foundation (dba Iowa Games) and Iowa State University Extension.