Weight loss, better fitness idea of challenge Carson City style

Carson City is joining an effort to help people lose weight and improve their physical fitness through the Great American Weight Loss Challenge.

"The whole idea is a healthy community," said Rota Rosaschi, chairwoman of the Wellness Coalition and executive director of the Nevada Public Health Foundation.

The Carson area effort will be part of the national program, which is entering its fourth year.

The event will kick off in the Community Center gym from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 16, during which participating teams can sign up, weigh in and watch exercise demonstrations.

Teams consist of five entrants each, and the members can be friends, coworkers and families. Progress will be measured by weekly weigh ins.

Registration forms also will be available at Curves, World Gym, Silver State Fitness and Aerobics, Jenny Craig Weight Loss Centres, the Carson City Library, and the city's Recreation Division Office.

The effort is a way "to make things happen for people who participate," Rosaschi said.

Offered to participants will be healthy recipes, lists of health and exercise events, and other information to make the process fun and effective.

For example, "there'll be bike rides on Mondays and walks on Wednesdays," she said.

Cost is $150 per five-person team.

Personal weights of team members aren't disclosed to anyone other than the person conducting the weigh in and the person compiling the records.

Final weigh in will be Nov. 15 and there will be a celebration on Nov. 18, where participants will be recognized for their efforts and the top losers given their awards. Other prizes will be awarded to team members.

The primary sponsor of the area challenge, which includes Carson City, Douglas and Lyon counties, is the Nevada Wellness Coalition.

With the Wellness Coalition taking stewardship over from the now-defunct organization HealthSmart, proceeds from the event will be used to help local lower-income families better manage their health by providing them with information and educational tools.

Though Nevada was the only state in 2005 where the number of obese adults went down, 31 other states showed increases, according to the nonprofit organization Trust for America's Health.

For information about entering the local Great American Weight Loss Challenge, call 884-2839. It will also be discussed at the city parks and recreation commission meeting on Tuesday.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

If you go

What: Carson City Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

When: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday

Where: Sierra Room, Community Center, 851 E. William St.

Call: 884-2839