The Lighten Up Lancaster Coalition is playing an active role in striving to increase the number of adults and children who are at a healthy weight in Lancaster County. The coalition launched America On the Move in October and saw over 3,600 people register for the program.

 

America on the Move is a fun, interactive national program that helps people get moving while receiving useful tips on exercise and healthy eating. The free online program is made up of sixweek challenges.

 

“Individuals participating in America on the Move hike virtual trails and see how far they can go,” says Ivonne Lambie, Healthy Weight Management Coordinator at the Lancaster General Wellness Center. “The Lancaster County team recently hiked the Oregon Trail.”

 

To join the event, participants go online and use the America on the Move website.

 

Here’s how it works: When a participant does a 45-minute walk, he or she goes to the computer and enters 45 minutes of walking on the Web site. The Web site converts this time into a distance on one of several famous trails selected by the group. Participants try to finish the trail in the six weeks allotted for the event.

 

“You go at your own pace—the event is for people of all abilities and fitness levels,” Ivonne says.

 

 

Before the start date, kick-off events took place in many locations around Lancaster County.

 

In addition to prizes for individual accomplishments, random prizes are also awarded. When participants complete the six-week challenge and the online evaluation, they receive a certificate from America on the Move displaying the total number of steps they took.

 

“America on the Move fits very well into one of the major initiatives of Lancaster General, which is healthy weight management,” says Rosemary Search, Manager, Community Heath and Wellness.
“For any healthy weight-management program to be successful, you need to address
nutrition, activity and having fun. That’s what America on the Move is all about.”

 

By staying active locally and keeping track of your progress, you can see how far it would get you along the famous Alaskan Iditarod Trail as part of the Maintain Your Weight Over the Holidays/America on the Move program.

 

The next six-week America on the Move challenge, a hike along Alaska's famed Iditarod Trail, begins in November and will keep in step with the holiday season by providing tips for maintaining a healthy weight amid all the tempting, high-calorie treats available at holiday celebrations.

 

The America on the Move program is convenient because you can do it at home and the Web site is a great source of information about cutting calories and adding steps to your walking program every day. It’s a fun and interactive way to get moving.

 

The program is provided by the America on the Move Foundation, a national non-profit organization whose mission is to improve health and quality of life by promoting healthful eating and active living among individuals, families, communities and society.

 

This will be an ongoing program, and you can sign up for a six-week program at any time. To register for the program, go to www.LancasterGeneral.org/LightenUp. 

 

For more information, calll 544-3878, or email: lightenup@lancastergeneral.org