slimming down Rhode Islanders one team at a time

by Camila Crews

It is no secret that obesity is an epidemic in many states including Rhode Island. Increased portion sizes and inactive lifestyles have led to expanded waistlines that cross culture and gender lines. Luckily for us in 2006 Rajiv Kumar, a Brown University medical student created Shape Up Rhode Island, a statewide exercise and weight loss team challenge to fight obesity.

Shape Up Rhode Island is made up of more than 12,000 participants representing every region of the state. Participants organize themselves into teams, based generally on company or organizational affiliations, then craft and implement their own strategies for making lifestyle changes. In the meantime, Shape Up organizers send participants weekly dietary tips, program updates, special gift certificates, and more.

SHAPE UP RHODE ISLAND 2008 12,000 participants 1,300 teams participants from all 39 towns and cities in RI more than 10,000 female participants total pounds lost: 29,913.2 lbs (15 tons) total exercise hours: 336,351.3 hrs (38 years) average weight loss: 7 lbs average exercise hours: 4.8 per week

Of those 12,000 participants, says Shape Up vice president, Michael Pimental, more than 10,000 are women, like members of the all-female team Thundermist South County-Team 1. The team is affiliated with Thundermist Health Care, a health care provider with locations in South County, West Warwick, and Woonsocket.

She Shines had an opportunity to talk to Thundermist associate and team leader Jennifer Nappi about the benefits of Shape Up Rhode Island.

How has being a part of team Thundermist South County helped you and your colleagues? "We've all developed lifestyle changes and we've become more motivated."

How would you describe the dynamic of an all female Shape Up Rhode Island team? "We're more comfortable with each other and we can talk about it (our health and body issues) more."

Do you think it's important for health professionals to lead an active lifestyle? "We can't expect patients to be healthy if we aren't doing the same thing. You have to practice what you preach.

Why would you encourage other women to join Shape Up Rhode Island? "They can adopt lifestyle  changes, it's motivational and it's easier to work towards this goal as a team."

Shape Up Rhode Island wrapped up in April and won't kick off again until 2009, but you don't have to wait until then to start getting in shape. Visit their website at www.shapeupri.org for fitness and nutrition tips or for more information on the organization.

Camila Crews is the director of development at the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence, an organization that provides nonviolent solutions to potentially violent conflicts. She is also the treasurer for Rhode Island Young Professionals, an auxiliary of the Urban League of Rhode Island that fosters personal and professional relationships for young people between the ages of21 – 40.

photo courtesy of Reza Corinne Clifton