Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation is excited to announce registration is now open for Lighten Up Wisconsin, a team weight loss and physical activity challenge. Jim Terrell, captain of last year's winner team is, eager to sign up for his second year as he lost 160 pounds since starting the program in January of 2006.
"I had been smoking a pack and a half of cigarettes a day for 33 years, while my weight crept dangerously close to 450 pounds. When playing with my new baby granddaughter became a palpable struggle, I knew a total life transformation needed to be made," said Terrell.
Last January, Jim captained a team of co-workers in the Lighten Up Wisconsin state wide team challenge. They came in first place out of 577 teams. "The neat thing is they're going forward with a healthy lifestyle. They didn't just quit the day the program was over," stated Terrell.
"I'm not quitting either. My weight loss as of today is 160 pounds. I still have quite a ways to go. But I've set my sights on a higher goal. I recently signed up to compete in the Florida Half Ironman Triathlon on May 20th, 2007. My dream is to complete the full Ironman distance on September 9th, 2007.. I will live my dream. Anyone can if they take their dream from their head and move it into their heart."
"Lighten Up Wisconsin helps people make small, realistic changes in their diets and lifestyles that lead to big changes down the road. It teaches people not to diet, but that a healthy lifestyle is just that, a lifestyle," said Jordan Bingham, Director of Health Initiatives for Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation.
"Jim is the perfect example of the success Lighten Up Wisconsin can bring to people. He's taken the things he's learned during the program and applied them throughout the year and continues building on the knowledge he's acquired."
Registration for 2007 Lighten Up Wisconsin is open until March 1, 2007. To learn more about Lighten Up Wisconsin and for registration information visit www.lightenupwisconsin.com or call 608-226-4780.
Lighten Up Wisconsin is presented by Ministry Healthcare and Unity Health Insurance and is supported by American Family Insurance, WEA Insurance Trust and Hydrite Chemical.
Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation is a nonprofit sports management organization that helps develop sports tourism in Wisconsin and promotes positive lifestyles and physical fitness through amateur athletic events and health education programs. WSDC properties include the American Family Insurance Badger State Games, Paddle and Portage, the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, Shape Up Wisconsin Kids, Lighten Up Wisconsin and the Fit Kids Challenge. WSDC is also the local host of Ironman Wisconsin.