What once began as a 1,400-person pilot program has blossomed into a statewide event with 19,000 participants.

Lighten Up Iowa, a five-month program that starts Wednesday and ends May 31, is helping Iowans stay in shape and eat healthy. It’s coming into its fifth year stronger than ever, and is backed by major corporations and the State of Iowa.

“We’ve seen tremendous differences in Iowa,” said Sally Barclay, clinician in food science and human nutrition, who noted that Lighten Up Iowa has helped Iowa become one of the top 10 healthiest states.

The program, which consists of groups of two to 10 people, has participants name a team captain to help motivate his or her group. Group members then log their weight loss and minutes of exercise over the five-month program. The only requirement for entry is a $10 fee, which includes a Lighten Up Iowa training T-shirt, a personal nutrition/physical activity tracking log and other monthly incentives and prizes.

To accompany the program is an ISU extension called Lighten Up Iowa State.

Its focus is being active instead of weight loss to help discourage eating disorders.

A reduced price of $5 gives students incentive to join, and includes a T-shirt and planned activities once a month.

Barclay finds that motivation is not the biggest deterrent keeping students from participating.

“I think a lot of it is time management,” she said, “with balancing class, homework and downtime.”

Combined with managing a hectic schedule, Barclay said many students gain weight during college for several other reasons.

“It’s the first time they take control of their total eating – preparing a dinner meal or options with food services can be overwhelming,” she said.

Jim Hallihan, executive director of the Iowa Games, has been with Lighten Up Iowa since it began, and knows how far the program has come.

“It started as a pilot program with 1,400 people . the next year we had 11,000 when the Iowa State extension joined to make it more statewide,” he said.

Soon more than 18 other states became interested in Lighten Up Iowa and wanted to model their program around it. Hallihan said the key to Lighten Up Iowa’s success is the teamwork.

“I coached basketball at Iowa State, and it’s the team aspect. The training for basketball was rough, and the big guys didn’t think they could make it until the guys cheered them on and ran along with them. It’s the same dynamic with Lighten Up Iowa with responsibility and accountability,” he said.

With a congressional earmark from Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, the program has been able to give out 35 $500 grants to help schools and communities in physical education. Major corporations, including Hy-Vee, have endorsed the program as well.

“From an employer’s standpoint, it’s good for the employer to reduce health costs. Some employers have reimbursed participants if they complete the program,” Hallihan said.

Last year, Lighten Up Iowa had a record 2,705 teams, logged 4,674,787 miles and lost 95,332 pounds.

With such overwhelming support, Hallihan said there have been disagreements on whether Lighten Up Iowa should be a year-round event.

Barclay said a full year would help people in the winter months who need encouragement to be more active.

Whatever the case, Hallihan said Lighten Up Iowa’s five-month run is keeping people in shape.

“We think five months is enough time to develop new healthy habits – you don’t do it in a month,” he said.

WE WANT YOU

Lighten Up Iowa needs volunteers to help pack T-shirts into boxes Saturday, January 21 from 8:30 p.m. to noon. Please e-mail [email protected] for more info.