Bayern Light - easier life in Germany

Snap-up: Lose weight healthily - join Bayern Light!

Anyone who wants to lose weight healthily now has another good opportunity at the beginning of Lent with the second round of the Bavaria-wide hands-on campaign "Bayern Light". The campaign, which was very successful in Bavaria last year with more than 30.000 participants, is to be extended nationwide this year under the motto "Living easier in Germany". Bavaria's Health Minister Werner Schnappauf gave the go-ahead for the campaign today and, together with the initiator, pharmacist Hans Gerlach, called for active use of the offers. Snapping: "Last year, the participants managed to lose over 110.000 kilos in just four months. This shows that Bayern Light is a successful concept. The ambitious goal is to melt 250.000 kilos of fat nationwide this year." The campaign, which is also linked to a municipal and regional competition, will run until the end of June. +++

According to Schnappauf, the method is simple: less fat, more exercise and lots of fun together. The aim is a long-term change in diet, coupled with regular exercise. Short-term castigation and radical diets are the wrong way. Only a change in behavior can lead to lasting success.

"BayernLight", a project of the "Bayern aktiv" health initiative, wants to motivate people to do more for their health and to have fun at the same time. "30 percent of illnesses are diet-related. Today, lack of exercise and poor diet are among our number one causes of illness. We know the consequences. But there is a lack of consistent action. Anyone can change that with the Bayern Light campaign," said Schnappauf. With more self-responsibility for health, not only a lot of pain and suffering could be avoided, but also a considerable part of the costs in the health care system. In order to increase the fun factor, the regions and cities also compete against each other in "BayernLight". For example, the city and district of Passau will compete against each other. Attractive prizes await the winners. Snapping: "I would like to invite all municipalities in Bavaria to this health competition."

If you want to take part, contact a "BayernLight" pharmacy. Around 200 specially trained pharmacies in 110 cities are involved. There everyone receives a measuring and weighing pass for a nominal fee of 10 euros. This includes five fat measurements, advice and a basic seminar on healthy, especially low-fat nutrition. There you will also find information about the exercise offers. Local handicrafts, gastronomy and retail also take part. They offer specially labeled reduced-fat products. "Walking in the countryside with like-minded people, learning the secrets of healthy cooking and counting points of fat. Everyone can have fun and see what they can do for their health," explained the minister.

Mr. Schnappauf thanked all partners of the campaign, in particular the Bavarian Chamber of Pharmacists and the associations of the nutrition trade, for their commitment to better health.

More information about "Bayernweit BayernLight - lighter living in Germany" under http://www.llid.de/

Information on the health initiative "Bayern aktiv" at www.bayernaktiv.de.

Current information on healthy eating can be found in the consumer information system at www.vis.bayern.de; users can post questions online to an expert forum.

Source: Munich [stmugv]