Joliet Park District: Get moving and 'lose a ton'

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) - The Joliet Park District wants to help people lose a ton of weight.

Literally, the "Lose a Ton" project involves 660 participants who hope to shed 2,000 pounds collectively by March 6.

The Joliet Herald-News reports (http://bit.ly/1DwUKIC ) last year's version of what's officially called the Joliet Weight-Loss Challenge exceeded the goal with the disappearance of 2,300 pounds.

Gina Rodriguez is fitness coordinator at the park district's Presence Inwood Athletic Club. She says a county health assessment from 2013 shows the percentage of Will County residents considered obese or overweight exceeds the state and national averages.

Park district membership coordinator Carrie Anderson says the project is a good way to get people moving.

High school physical education teacher Rory O'Connell advises that participants start exercising simply, saying they should begin with walking.

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Information from: The Herald-News, http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews