COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A year after starting their Culture Change Campaign, LiveWell Colorado spokesperson Mina Liebert said there is improvement in the state's obesity epidemic.
"As an organization, we're very excited because you're never sure what people are going to think," Liebert said. "Obesity's a really hard topic to talk about and discuss, but if you make it a normal issue and understand people around you are feeling and facing the same changes, it normalizes a little bit more and makes it more easily available for behavior change."
Research from LiveWell participants showed while the number of overweight and obese people hasn't gone down, the number of people educated on the disease is rising.
"Knowing our obesity epidemic took 20 years to get to where it is today, it's not going to change overnight, but the small steps people are taking through being aware and understanding that obesity and overweight is an issue that is close to home, closer to home than they think," Liebert said. "We're actually starting to make progress but it comes down to the individuals and their behavior for themselves and their families."
One of the participants in the program is Cara Marshall. Marshall, a mom of three, lost 150 pounds six years ago.
"I found out I was having a girl," Marshall said. "Being an example for my two sons was important too, but finding out I was having a daughter, knowing I'd be the example she would grow into became a real shock."
Marshall said LiveWell helps her stay on track with weight loss, eating right and time management.
"I have two boys who play baseball so there are times we have to go eat out so trying to find if theres new places in the area or somebody knows somebody made a menu change, places that have calorie counts and things like that helps," Marshall said. "I try to get on there at least once a week."
Marshall also blogs about her healthy lifestyle and teaches hiphop classes to young students in the area.
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