DATE: January 08, 2007

CONTACT: Susan Pope, (864) 656-6673
sc@clemson.edu

WRITER: Angela Nixon, (864) 656-0382
angela.nixon@clemsonews.clemson.edu

Clemson University Partners in Pickens County Shrinkdown

CLEMSON — Clemson University faculty, staff and students will join their neighbors in getting 2007 off to a healthy start with the second annual Pickens County Shrinkdown.

With the school session getting under way this week, Clemson will hold its kick-off on campus Friday, Jan. 12, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Fike Recreation Center. The first 100 people to register that day will receive a free T-shirt.

Shrinkdown is a free, 10-week health and wellness program, designed to arm people with information to live a healthy lifestyle. Participants will weigh in each Friday to track their progress. Participants also will receive a Healthy Living Guide, full of healthy menus and recipes and nutrition and exercise information, with new chapters given at each weekly weigh-in.

The program also includes a weekly “health talk,” featuring experts speaking on health and wellness topics, including nutrition, cardio health, fitness, diabetes and other issues related to obesity and healthy living.

“Clemson is participating because we recognize the importance of being part of a larger community and working with our neighbors,” said Susan Pope, fitness and marketing director for Clemson’s campus recreation department. “We also want to provide Clemson’s students and employees with a healthier environment to work and live in. We want to educate our campus community about making healthy choices.”

Pickens County is part of the South Carolina Shrinkdown program, which has expanded to 13 counties, including one county in North Carolina. Last year in Pickens County, 2,355 people participated and lost more than 8,000 pounds. More than 300 people participated at Clemson University.

Visit www.greaterpickensshrinkdown.com for more information.