Shape Up RI is a statewide exercise and weight loss challenge created by Brown Medical School student Rajiv Kumar, who believes that the solution to our national obesity epidemic lies in the power of teamwork and peer support.

This annual health campaign encourages Rhode Islanders to improve their health and lifestyle by increasing their physical activity levels and developing smart eating practices. Participants compete on teams to see who can lose the greatest percentage of collective team weight, log the most hours of physical activity, and walk the highest number of pedometer steps over a twelve week period. Every member is given a pedometer, logbook, reminder wrist band, and weekly motivational newsletters. Participants also receive invitations to our over 250 events held across Rhode Island. From February through May 2008, 12,000 Rhode Islanders from across the state competed on 1,253 teams and worked hard to pursue healthier lifestyles. The outcome was astounding, with 30,266 pounds lost, 339,292 hours of exercise logged and 5,386,954,942 steps taken! We are now undertaking plans for a larger and even more successful Shape Up RI 2009. Early registration will begin on December 15th and registration on January 5, 2009. The competition will commence on February 7, 2009. The registration fee is $20 per participant and may be paid by the individual or by the employer as an employee benefit. Each week during the competition participants receive email updates with important health news and information, exercise and healthy eating tips, upcoming events, opportunities for individual and team exercise, and special gift and prize announcements. Teams make their own schedules and plans, tailored to the needs and desires of their team members, for how they will succeed in pursuing a healthy lifestyle. This year, teams joined sports leagues or local gyms, developed daily exercise regimens, devised ways to squeeze in physical activity at work, wore pedometers to track their walking, took healthy cooking classes, participated in walkathons, signed up for dancing lessons, attended nutrition seminars, and much more. During the 12-week competition, team members will log into our online TeamTracker system to report their progress bi-weekly. At the end of each round, team standings will be published online. Winning teams will be honored at the Wellness Fair & Awards Ceremony in May 2009.

Every member is given a pedometer, logbook, reminder wrist band, and weekly motivational newsletters. Participants also receive invitations to our over 250 events held across Rhode Island. From February through May 2008, 12,000 Rhode Islanders from across the state competed on 1,253 teams and worked hard to pursue healthier lifestyles. The outcome was astounding, with 30,266 pounds lost, 339,292 hours of exercise logged and 5,386,954,942 steps taken! We are now undertaking plans for a larger and even more successful Shape Up RI 2009. Early registration will begin on December 15th and registration on January 5, 2009. The competition will commence on February 7, 2009. The registration fee is $20 per participant and may be paid by the individual or by the employer as an employee benefit. Each week during the competition participants receive email updates with important health news and information, exercise and healthy eating tips, upcoming events, opportunities for individual and team exercise, and special gift and prize announcements. Teams make their own schedules and plans, tailored to the needs and desires of their team members, for how they will succeed in pursuing a healthy lifestyle. This year, teams joined sports leagues or local gyms, developed daily exercise regimens, devised ways to squeeze in physical activity at work, wore pedometers to track their walking, took healthy cooking classes, participated in walkathons, signed up for dancing lessons, attended nutrition seminars, and much more. During the 12-week competition, team members will log into our online TeamTracker system to report their progress bi-weekly. At the end of each round, team standings will be published online. Winning teams will be honored at the Wellness Fair & Awards Ceremony in May 2009.

We are always looking for volunteers, especially to help us research available grants and find potential funding opportunities!