North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Warren Center Promotes

The 15^th Annual Maintain, Don’t Gain! Holiday Challenge.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Warren Center is promoting the 15^th annual Eat Smart, Move More, Maintain, don’t gain! Holiday Challenge to help our community focus on healthy eating and physical activity this holiday season!

Many Americans gain between 1 and 5 pounds each holiday season. While it might not sound like much, most people never manage to lose those extra pounds. Rather than focusing on trying to lose weight, this FREE seven-week challenge provides you with strategies and resources to help maintain your weight throughout the holiday season.

Any adult over 18 years of age across the United States with a valid email address can join the Holiday Challenge. Registration does not close and you may sign-up at any time. The Holiday Challenge features weekly newsletters, daily tips, weekly challenges, tools, and a private Facebook community to foster social support and encouragement throughout the 7-week program. Participants can engage as much or as little as they would like to, as all resources are sent to their email and available online.

In 2020, more than 44,670 people from all 50 states and all 100 North Carolina counties, and 33 additional countries took part in the Holiday Challenge. At the end of the Holiday Challenge, 92% maintained or lost weight and 98% are likely to participate in a future Holiday Challenge. For additional results, and to see how your state ranked in participation, click here: Holiday Challenge Results. Help us make 2021 the biggest year yet!

Sign up to get healthy recipes, daily tips, exercise ideas, and more on the Eat Smart Move More website.

If you reside in Warren County and are interested in weekly fun and exciting strength-building sessions, please contact Crystal M. Smith, Extension Director, and Family & Consumer Science Extension Agent, at 252-257-3640 or email crystal_smith@ncsu.edu.

About the Eat Smart, Move More Maintain, don’t gain! Holiday Challenge

The Holiday Challenge is provided by Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less, a 15-week online weight management program delivered by a live Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, and Eat Smart, Move More, Prevent Diabetes, a 12-month online diabetes prevention program recognized by the CDC. Both programs are developed and managed by NC State University and the NC Division of Public Health.

Follow us on Facebook @esmmweighless; on Twitter @esmmweighless; on Pinterest @esmmweighless; and on Instagram @esmmholidaychallenge.