Diet not 4-letter word in Des Plaines

Des Plaines is asking its residents to slim down.

Issuing a challenge to its residents, the new Des Plaines Pounds Down program will give residents a chance to inspire each other toward their health goals.

Mayor Tony Arredia and 5th Ward Alderman Carla Brookman joined forces to get the city's residents headed on the path to a healthy lifestyle.

Companies are donating prizes, which will be awarded randomly to participants.

But this is nothing like TV's "The Biggest Loser." It's not a competition.

"The focus is not so much on weight loss but overall wellness," Brookman said.

The idea first came to Des Plaines officials after hearing about the Oklahoma City mayor putting the city on a diet.

There are at least 150 people signed up, including 86 who volunteered at the Taste of Des Plaines last weekend.

Participants are urged to check with their doctors before beginning a health regimen.

Anybody is welcome to sign up at one of the participating locations: Des Plaines Community Center at Prairie Lakes, 515 E. Thacker St.; Des Plaines Park District, 2222 Birch St.; Lattof YMCA, 300 E. Northwest Highway; Resurrection Immediate Care, 150 N. River Road; and Advocate Lutheran General Hospital's Fitness Center, 1775 Dempster St.

At sign up, there is a weigh-in and blood pressure screening.

Other locations and information about the Pounds Down program are available at www.desplaines.org.

Healthy living is the main goal of Pounds Down.

"We hope that the community is going to embrace this message," Brookman said.