8:20 a.m., Feb. 2, 2010----A total of 127 University of Delaware employees in 18 different departments are getting their new year off to a healthy start as participants in the Healthy U Employee Wellness Program's “Well on Your Weigh” healthy weight challenge.

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Teams of three-to-five employees with names like “Mission Slimpossible,” “The Shape Shifters” and the “No Gainers” are working together during six-week program to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight by engaging in regular physical activity and choosing a healthy eating habits.

Participants earn points for activities they complete and for the number of pounds of weight lost.

At the conclusion of the program, team prizes will be awarded for the highest average of points and the highest average of weight lost.

After the first week of the program, which started on Jan. 18, 73 participants lost a total of a total of 178.5 pounds.

“This is the first program we've offered which required employees to participate as a team,” said Linda Smith, Healthy U program coordinator. “We've heard many great stories of teams' successes as we've visited their offices during the weekly weigh-ins. Losing weight takes work and having the support of likeminded co-workers seems to be generating a lot of excitement. Employees are telling us that they are walking together on breaks, ordering healthier refreshments for office functions and resisting the temptation to 'cheat' lest they let their teammates down.”

At the conclusion of the challenge, participants will gather on March 9, in the Rodney Room of the Perkins Student Center to celebrate their success and receive team awards.

Information about this or other Healthy U programs may be found at the Healthy U Employee Wellness Web site or by calling 831-8388.