Charlotte Frank biked more than 2,000 miles this summer.
Frank, a senior human resource facilitator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, got into the habit of riding her bike last year when she participated in N-Lighten Nebraska.
She and several members of UNL's human resources department formed a UNL team, HR Chargers, last year and competed in the program, sponsored by the Nebraska Sports Council.
This week marks the beginning of N-Lighten Nebraska's new campaign, Active in Autumn, running until Oct. 31.
N-Lighten encourages Nebraskans to develop sustainable healthy physical activity and eating habits. Teams are composed of two to 10 members, motivating teammates to work together toward the common goal of living healthier lives, said the N-Lighten Web site.
To participate, team members record the activities they participate in on the N-Lighten Web site, which translates those activities into points.
The activities include walking, biking, badminton and bowling, said Danielle Kleber, N-Lighten Nebraska director.
"There are all sorts of activities to choose from," she said. "If something is not on the list, then they can choose something that's comparable."
The UNL HR Chargers mostly walked and biked for their points, Frank said.
"We were in it for the physical activity," she said. "It was truly the activity and the eating, getting in the pattern of eating correctly."
In last year's competition, 7,761 Nebraskans lost more than 25,500 pounds and logged nearly 2.6 million miles in the 2008 program for adults.
HR Chargers placed 12th in the state for the advanced physical activity portion of the program.
Frank and her teammates participated in the spring program, but this year hopeful participants don't have to wait until February. Active in Autumn already began Sept. 2.
The program will feature a free participant's gift, weekly tips, success tools, online point reporting and other prizes and incentives that will be awarded by random drawings throughout the program.
UNL students are also encouraged to participate in N-Lighten.
"We're promoting it as a program that people at UNL can participate in if they choose to," said Teresa Grosserode, a wellness graduate assistant at campus recreation.
She added that students who participate do not have to be affiliated with the university.
A new effort on campus known as the Campus Wellness Initiative is promoting N-Lighten because the program is designed to help people develop healthy habits, a goal the initiative shares.
The Wellness Initiative was established in conjunction with the Chancellor's Office and many departments on campus, Grosserode said, in order to evaluate how successful wellness programs are on campus and attract more participants.
Registration for N-Lighten's Active in Autumn is $10, and teams may register anytime.
Prizes include coupons from Subway and a free bike, donated by Cycle Works, 720 N. 27th St.
Frank said she would recommend the program to anyone trying to be healthier and more physically active.
"I think it's excellent, especially for a lot of people if they don't have someone pushing them to do this type of activity," she said. "It's kind of a constant reminder and helps to keep people on track."
jamieklein@dailynebraskan.com
For more information or registration information visit www.N-LightenNebraska.com or call 402-471-2544. For more information on the UNL Wellness Initiative and health related activities on campus visit www.wellness.unl.edu.
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