The nation’s most overweight state, Mississippi, is cracking down on obesity. The 33% obesity rate is causing health problems for many adults and also children. The reason Mississippi has the heighest obesity rate is because they also have the lowest income rate. Consumers are not able to purchase items which are healthy because they are too expensive or they are not able to travel far to a supermarket. Just because consumers are not able to buy high priced foods doesn’t mean they should suffer with obesity and other health problems. Former pro-football player Paul Lacoste has implemented the “Fit 4 Change Mississippi Fitness Challenge” to help improve his home states health.
The program is a 12 weeks program, where Lacoste pushes the participants as hard as he would a pro-athlete. Some of the main focuses of the program are cardio, strength, and speed training. At the end of the program the individuals participate in a 5 mile run to the states capital.
Lacoste has become a major part of this plan because he doesn’t want his home state to be portrayed as the fat state. He is passionate about the program because he has seen the results and they are paying off. Over 2,000 pounds have already been shredded off since the beginning of the year. Lacoste says its is also good for him to because it gives him a reason to keep in healthy shape.
This program is for everyone who is willing to put in the effort. Even State Representative Steve Holland has joined the program and has lost over 100 pounds since the start of his training. Lacoste hopes to expand his program to parents, teachers, and children to turn his state into a healthy society.
