Step Up and Scale Down weight-loss program to be presented in Austin

Free sessions will be Wednesdays from Jan 16-April 10

Writer: Paul Schattenberg, 210-859-5752, paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu

Contact: Sonia Coyle, 512-854-9605, sonia.coyle@ag.tamu.edu.

AUSTIN – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will present its Step Up and Scale Down program for weight loss in English and Spanish from Jan. 16 through April 10 at Palm Elementary, 7601 Dixie Drive, Austin.

“Step Up and Scale Down is an in-person program designed to guide participants toward weight management through nutrition tips, exercise and a personalized weight-loss planner,” said Sonia Coyle, AgriLife Extension family and community health agent, Travis County.

The program will be held on 12 consecutive Wednesdays from 8-9 a.m. It is free, and registration includes a binder with handouts and a cookbook. To register, contact Coyle at 512-854-9605 or sonia.coyle@ag.tamu.edu.

“Step Up and Scale Down is a research-based program that has proven success in weight management and building healthy lifestyle habits,” she said.

The topics of program sessions include: Scale Down by Setting Goals; Step Up to a Healthy Plate; Scale Down by Label Reading; Step Up to Breakfast and Menu Planning; Scale Down with Moves to Lose; Step Up Your Hydration; Scale Down by Finding Your Motivational Mojo; Step Up to Healthy Snacking; Scale Down With a Colorful Plate; Step Up to Successful Socializing; Scale Down by Knowing Your Numbers; and Step Up and Celebrate.

“The program will add a physical activity component by using the AgriLife Extension Walk Across Texas initiative as a means of encouraging participants to exercise regularly,” Coyle said. “In this program, participants will be competing in teams of up to eight members, logging physical activity that will be translated into walking miles.”

There will be incentives for those who attend 10 or more classes, and gifts to the team that gets first place for walking the most miles, she said.

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