Walk the Weight Off Saturday

Organizers of Yuma's weight-loss challenge want folks to hit the walking trail and "burn that butter" this Saturday.

Walk the Weight Off, an event all about walking and wellness, is being put together in conjunction with the Fattest to Fittest: Yuma vs. Yakima Weight Loss Challenge.

The free public event will take place at Smucker Park, located along Avenue A near 27th Street, starting at 8 a.m.

Walk the Weight Off will be hosted by Club Yuma, a local fitness center. Club Yuma is one of several organizations and businesses sponsoring Fattest to Fittest.

"Come walk, jog or crawl! Let's get moving and start losing that weight," said Nancy Patterson, director of Club Yuma. "People can do as many laps as they want and just go as far as they can. Even if someone goes up one hill, that would be great."

Walk the Weight Off is open to the general public, not just members of teams participating in the weight loss challenge with Yakima, Wash.

"I'm sure there are people who should have joined but didn't because they had their own reasons or didn't know about the challenge," Patterson said.

The event will kick off with a deejay playing music to help get everyone revved up for walking. Staff members from Club Yuma will then lead everyone in warm-up exercises.

Patterson said she thinks the event will run about 90 minutes.

At the end, Club Yuma's staff members will oversee a cool-down, stretching session.

"I just wanted to do something like this because it seems like Fattest to Fittest was missing the component of group support for losing weight," Patterson said. "We know from our own programs that group exercise just works better than everyone trying to do it on their own. Just the whole camaraderie of seeing other people doing it is going to push you."

But another factor inspired Patterson to lead the event's creation. She stressed her frustration with Yuma's struggle over obesity, a trend that recently landed the community on a national list of fattest cities. That list inspired Fattest to Fittest.

"We've really got to change. This is a horrible label that's been slapped on us. It's embarrassing. It's been a struggle for gyms in Yuma to get people to wake up - and move."

Club Yuma's staff will have a table and be available for any questions.

"Come over and we will give you all the free advice you can take," Patterson said.

Two other sponsors of Fattest to Fittest will also be on hand Saturday. Coke will provide free Dasani water, and Nature's Express restaurant will be distributing coupons.

For more information about Walk the Weight Off, call 341-4830.