January is the most popular month for ads on weight loss products and services. With so many enticing options for slimming down, choosing the one that will work the best can be daunting.

Welcome to Shape Up America!

Founded in 1994, Shape Up America! is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization committed to raising awareness of obesity as a health issue and to providing responsible information on healthy weight management. Take a journey through our website to find information and ideas to achieve a healthy weight for you and your family. If you are a health professional, you will find resources to assist your clients and patients with their efforts to attain and maintain a healthy weight.

Healthy Ways to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

Celebrate this Cinco de Mayo with these simple and healthy Mexican recipes! Have a fun and spicy fiesta!

Guacamole
Mole de Olla (Beef Stew in a Pot)
Mexican Rice
Steak & Chiles

Carnivale Guacamole Recipe -- powered by ehow

You can watch the rest of this video series at:
Healthy Mexican Recipes series at eHow

Mother's Day Suggestions from Chef Joanna

No need to wait for hours to get into a crowded restaurant to celebrate Mother's Day! With these simple and delicious recipes, you will be able to enjoy a special day with your mother.

Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes
Quinoa Salad with Kale
Vegetable Frittata
Hash Brown Potatoes
Blueberry Brunch Cake
Egg Pancakes
Coconut-Flax Pancakes (Gluten-Free)

Making Healthy Foods Fun for Kids

Should parents make foods “fun” for kids? Or should foods simply be nourishing and tasty? Read what dietitian Christine Palumbo says in her latest Good Sense Eating column.

Read it at Chicago Parent

FDA Issues Warning About Weight Loss Supplement MAXILOSS

On April 4, 2013, the FDA warned consumers not to purchase or use the dietary supplement MAXILOSS Weight Advanced Blue because it was found to contain sibutramine.

Sibutramine, the active ingredient in the obesity drug Meridia, was removed from the U.S. market in October 2010 because it can substantially increase blood pressure and pulse rate in some individuals, and may present a significant risk for patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, or stroke. This drug may also interact, in life-threatening ways, with other medications a consumer may be taking.

Use the following link for further information:
FDA Public Notification about Hidden Ingredient in MAXILOSS

In Memoriam: Dr. C. Everett Koop dies at 96

Barbara J Moore, the president and CEO of Shape Up America!™, joined by the staff, Board of Directors and Science Advisory Committee, today pause to remember our founder, Dr. C. Everett Koop, the 13th Surgeon General of the United States. He will be sorely missed, and we are privileged to have known and worked with him. Dr. Koop raised awareness of the health risks of obesity long before it became obvious to the health community, and is also well known for his work related to tobacco use and AIDS. Recently we hosted a party in honor of his 95th birthday. Our condolences go out to his loving family.

We're 55% of the way to our goal of $100,000

$25k

$50k

$75k

$100k

Shape Up America! is building a new addition to our website, “Parenting to Prevent Obesity”, that will provide essential information to parents who want to raise healthy kids. To complete this project, we need to raise $100,000 and we're getting closer...please help us reach that goal. Donate today!

A Tip from Chef Joanna

Taste this exciting new spring time treat from our friend and fundraiser, Jason! It's a step up from your everyday salad.

Salads Are Not Just Lettuce! Brussels Sprouts And Quinoa Salad Recipe

One Way to Deal With Food Deserts

Houston is a great example of a city that is tackling the issue of food deserts head-on. Here's how they approached the problem:

A New Development on the Alcohol Labeling Issue

For the past decade, Shape Up America! has been working with several other consumer organizations to urge the U.S. agency responsible for marketing of alcohol-containing beverages to require an Alcohol Facts panel similar to the Nutrition Facts panel on food products. Over the years, we have held press conferences, issued press releases and conducted consumer research on what type of label consumers would prefer. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has thus far failed to require an Alcohol Facts panel, but recent developments may be a game changer. Please see the attached press release for more information:

News Release on Alcohol Labeling 02.20.13

Letter to the Treasury Secretary-Designate

Looking for Pedometers? Fight Childhood Obesity and Join the MOVment!

Shape Up America! and MOVband are teaming up to get people moving and help fight obesity.

How you can help

Help Us Fight the War on Obesity!

Help Shape Up America! by purchasing any product from Saving The World T-shirts. Check out the awesome t-shirts, yoga apparel, bracelets and bumper stickers!

UPDATE: Congratulations to Jason on his spectacular finish at Ironman Arizona 2012! We salute his indefatigable spirit and constant commitment to healthy training and nutrition. Jason is already preparing for his next major race, the 70.3 Ironman San Juan in March. Well done and good luck in 2013! More details are available at his website, cooktraineatrace.com

You can read Jason's Ironman Arizona race report for more details about his most recent race.

Make a donation in support of Jason’s goal.