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Lose a Pound, Gain a Dollar

Lose a Pound, Gain a Dollar” (LAPGAD) is a free community health and weightloss program presented by Jewish Hospital Medical Center South (MCS) and Dr. Mohana Arla. LAPGAD participants earn a dollar for every pound they lose while in the program.

More than 450 Bullitt County residents — all older than age 18 — signed up for the first run of the program, which began in July 2007 and ended in April. Several participants lost in excess of 30 pounds and some even lost 40 to 50 pounds.

In addition to dollars, participants had access to other motivational tools. The Bullitt County YMCA, Weight Watchers and a registered dietitian from MCS were all on hand for the kickoff event in July. Throughout the nine months, free programs were offered on healthy cooking and simple exercise routines. There also was a seminar on obesity’s effect on the heart that included free blood pressure and cholesterol checks.

Media coverage of the program was impressive. Pioneer News, the Courier-Journal and WHAS-11, WAVE-3 and WFPL radio were among the many media outlets that covered LAPGAD.