Posted 1/11/2008

Get Healthy for Life

Activate Greater Columbia, a spin-off of the Greater Columbia Shrinkdown healthy living program, launches Monday at YMCA locations throughout the Greater Columbia area.

Shrinkdown programs were offered for several weeks each in 2006-07 and were so successful the YMCA decided to expand the effort to a year-round basis.

Exclusively the YMCA is offering the expanded program, which targets youth and adult obesity and related diseases.

To sign up, participants may visit any YMCA location between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. The YMCA is offering free tee shirts to the first 250 registrants at each site.

Registration also will include:

• Official Weigh-In
• Activity demonstrations (walking, low impact aerobics, weight lifting, biking, Yoga and Pilates.)
• Free health screenings
• "Health Talks"
• Healthy kids area

The 2007 Shrinkdown included partnerships with USC, Palmetto Health, and the Lexington Medical Center. It spanned nine weeks beginning in January.

Barbara Cuevas, a USC volunteer with the 2007 Shrinkdown, said participants "felt a little distraught at the end of the Shrinkdown," because it marked the end of weekly weigh-ins and the camaraderie developed because of a shared goal.

Cuevas also has high expectations for Activate Greater Columbia. "This is a wonderful program. It’s something that needs to be done," she said.

Offering many of the same features as the Shrinkdowns, Activate Greater Columbia will:

• encourage participants to accumulate at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity five days per week
• provide healthy living information about nutrition, exercise, and health education weekly
• sponsor regular weigh-ins and counseling
• present "Health Talks" a series of lectures by wellness and medical experts
• challenge everyone, young and old, to begin healthy eating and regular moderate-intensity exercise.

More details about the program are available on the Activate Greater Columbia website.