So far, 230 Harrison County residents have registered for the Change Your State Challenge to lose weight and develop healthy habits in 2022. 

 

If you aren't in on the action, there is still time. The deadline has been extended to Friday, Jan. 21. 

 

Read this story which originally ran Jan. 5. You'll find a full explanation of the program and how to participate, possibly winning some great cash prizes - but more importantly, becoming a healthier version of you: 

 

First, the opportunity was offered to Bridgeport residents to become healthier by losing extra pounds. Then, the opportunity was extended to the entire Harrison County area. Thousands of lost pounds later, the Change Your State Challenge has been launched, again encouraging those who live or work in Harrison County to get in on the action and lead healthier lives. 

 

"The Change Your State Challenge is Healthy Harrison's new and improved Biggest Loser/10% Takedown weight loss competition," said team lead Abby Viegel. "The same grand prizes with new monthly prize opportunities added in to keep you motivated and accountable!"

 

In addition to getting on the path to better health, the challenge offers $12,000 to be divided among six grand prize winners losing the highest percentage of weight. The first-place male and female will each win $2,500, second and third place winners receiving $2,000 and $1,500, respectively. 

 

Also, monthly prizes of $1000 will be up for grabs to those participiating in monthly weigh-ins, not a requirement of the competition, but recommended. 

 

Deadline to enter is Saturday, Jan. 15. Sign up at www.changeyourstate.com, where details are available. Once registered, participants can weigh in 9 a.m. through 8 p.m. at WV Fitness 24 (behind former Eat n' Park). There is no appointment necessary. Just stop at the front desk and indicate you are there for the weigh-in. The challenge will run through early-May.

 

Healthy Harrison utilizes pillars of Mind, Move, Eat, Connect, and Purpose. Tips in all of those areas are available through the Change Your State app, Web site and Facebook page. For those participating in the weight loss challenge, there is also a private Facebook group. 

 

The Change Your State Challenge is an evolution of The 2020 Health Games. After winning the competition, Team Bridgeport launched the Biggest Loser/10% Takedown challenge which wrapped up in June of 2021 at The Bridge to Health 5K Festival at The Bridge Sports Complex. From August through November, the countywide challenge Health Games - the Encore took place; winners named at the Shinnston Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. 

 

Coinciding with this challenge is one in Berkeley County. Those participants will also be utilizing the Change Your State app, available for download at The App Store. Viegel said she is so happy that the challenge is continuing and evolving. 

 

"Our state is known for being unhealthy in many categories and it's our hope that we can change those numbers - one person, one community at a time," she said. "We launched our program starting in our community of Bridgeport, then widened it to our county and now we are reaching out to Berkeley County to broadden our reach and get us one step closer to our ultimate goal of a healthier West Virginia!"