Lose 10 pounds in 10 weeks with Fresh Air Family | Community Spirit

An outdoor education group is working to help you lose 10 pounds in 10 weeks as the activity arm of Scale Back Alabama.

Fresh Air Family has organized dozens of “outdoor adventures” now through the middle of April to encourage Alabamians to get outside and make exercise fun and rewarding, rather than a chore.

“Studies show the only thing that works is good, old outdoor play,” Verna Gates, founder and executive director of Fresh Air Family, said. “We are bringing that back for adults and children, with education added for good measure.”

Fresh Air Family organizers have set a goal of 10 pounds over 10 weeks for those participating in their outdoor activities, which include hiking, nature walks, bird-watching, canoeing and camping. In 2010, the non-profit served more than 12,000 people on more than 200 outdoor adventures.

Through its partnership with Scale Back Alabama, Fresh Air Family hopes to positively impact the health of citizens through weight loss, lowering blood pressure and reducing stress. And enjoying the state’s natural workout facilities is the best way to do this.

“The great outdoors was the original Magic Kingdom,” Gates said. “And Alabama is a natural wonderland.”

On Fresh Air Family’s website, you can view a calendar of all the events they’ve organized over the next several weeks. Here are a few this weekend in central Alabama:

Saturday, February 5
Winston County: Wild South Hike Bankhead National Forest North Alabama
9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Birmingham: Hikes for Tikes at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Tuscaloosa: Tree Walk at the University of Alabama Arboretum
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Pinson: Lichens Hike Turkey Creek Preserve
3 – 7 p.m.

Sunday, February 6
Birmingham: Wellness Walk Ruffner Mountain
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Winston County: Turkey Foot and Mize Mill Falls Hike Sipsey Wilderness
12 – 4 p.m.