Lighten Up Wisconsin, a five-month team weight-loss challenge that encourages team members to make small, realistic and permanent changes in their dietary and exercise habits, will kick off January 9 across the state of Wisconsin. Registration is open until March 15, 2006.

"So many people start the New Year off with intentions of loosing weight. They choose a diet to go on, eat all their favorite foods the night before and dramatically change their lifestyle in one day. This is a recipe for disaster," says Nicole Mueller, Health Initiatives Director for Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation.

"When people try to do too much too fast, they are setting themselves up for failure. The diet becomes this negative part of their life causing stress and discomfort. The problem out there is lack of proper information," says Vesely, "It seems another fad diet is introduced every year and they are emphasized around the holidays. We need to educate the public that there is no quick fix and anything advertised as such will likely result in weight gained due to ill approaches such as cutting out certain food groups all together.

Weight loss comes from permanently changing your lifestyle. That's what Lighten Up (Wisconsin) is all about. We teach participants how to make small changes so they don't feel deprived and revert back to bad habits."

Team competition will recognize achievement in two areas. You can enter one or both for the same fee. The categories are 1) weight loss due to healthy eating and physical activity, and for those not interested in losing weight, there is 2) accumulated activity where teams track miles based on activity performed. Teams consist of two to ten people and can be formed from people in the neighborhood, at the workplace or in your family.

"It's easier to accomplish something if you're held accountable for it. By signing up for this challenge with a team, you are tackling the job together, there is strength in numbers," says Vesely. "Sign up is easy and can be done on our website at www.lightenupwisconsin.com. All it costs is $10 per participant, which includes a t-shirt and helpful tips and strategies to help you succeed. We've seen tremendous success with the program. It is in its fourth year and is gaining momentum and shedding more and more pounds each year with 6,500 participants from across Wisconsin in 2005. The program start on January 9th but we take registrations until March 15, 2006."

For more information and to register for Lighten Up Wisconsin log onto www.lightenupwisconsin.com or call 608.226.4780.

Lighten Up Wisconsin is presented by Ministry Health Care and supported by Charter Communications, Clear Channel, Donna M. Manning, Hydrite Chemical Company, The Princeton Club and event partner UW Health.

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 owns the Badger State Games, the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, the Wisconsin Sports Foundation, Paddle & Portage, Shape Up Wisconsin Kids, Lighten Up Wisconsin and the Fit Kids Challenge. WSDC is also the local host of Ironman Wisconsin.