Here at That's Fit, we're constantly telling you what we think about things, but sometimes it's nice to know what you think. So from time to time, we'll ask you a question. Don't be afraid to speak up -- we love feedback.

Maggie recently told us about a new fee that Alabama State employees can expect to see in 2010: An obesity fee. That's right, state workers with a BMI of 35 and over will be expected to fork over and extra $25 a month for medical insurance. This comes after a policy that has smokers forking over extra money for medical insurance as well.

On one hand, such a policy reduces costs for those who practice healthy habits and it could reduce obesity rates in the long run. But on the other hand, isn't it a human rights violation to have to disclose your weight to your employer and pay more if they think you're too heavy?

Source

Keep lifting the fork to your mouth and you'll have to fork over some cash. This is essentially the message the state of Alabama is sending out to its 37,000+ employees.

The state has already had a policy in place where smokers can either quit their habits or they must contribute to the costs of their health insurance. Recently state employees were told that they have a year to get their BMI under 35 or else they'll be charged $25 per month toward their insurance costs.

The state also has an upcoming plan in place for 2010 where, if state employees don't take free health screenings the state offers for them, they'll also be charged. If employees take the screening and conditions such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol are found, the employees will be offered free doctor visits and wellness programs to help improve the problem. A year later, they'll be screened again and if there's no improvement, they will be charged, too.

Source

Let's see...typical doctor's visit: sit in the waiting room thumbing through dated magazines, sit in an exam room thumbing through more dated magazines, see doctor for 5-15 minutes to discuss issue, pay bill, leave.

What if at your next check-up it could look a little more like this: drop your kids off at the kid-friendly day care, work out for 30 minutes, relax in the sauna for a few before you take your shower. Stop by and get a pedicure, eat a nutrient-packed gourmet lunch, then pop in to see your doctor to take care of those screening tests you've been neglecting. That might just be a doctor's appointment you could look forward to. It's not a day dream, it's One Nineteen Health and Fitness, an innovative health center that combines gym, spa, and clinic all under one roof.

The royal treatment comes at a cost, however. Your gym and spa visit won't be covered by insurance, and your doctor's visit likely won't be either. But if the price tag doesn't bother you, it might be nice to be treated like a queen at your next physical. The original One Nineteen is in Alabama; read more about it here.

Source

Alabama routinely ranks at the top of the nation's list of problem areas when it comes to obesity. Leaders have been taking steps to reverse the dangerous trend, and two years ago passed legislation that removed vending machines and unhealthy foods from school cafeterias and gave children eating school lunches more nutritious choices.

Now Alabama schoolchildren are getting more support -- this time from American Idol winner Ruben Studdard. Studdard -- who's the spokesperson for Scale Back Alabama, a weight-loss campaign -- told students not to be like him and to never forget all the lessons they've learned in talking care of themselves. The singer revealed in December he'd lost 100 pounds, and he told students they didn't want to have to start over getting in shape like he had.

Ruben Studdard's appearance came on the same day that they state announced it's Alabama KidFit Initiative, which will distribute 350,000 KidFit DVDs to school kids in Alabama. Maybe we should all be keeping our eye on Alabama right now, to see if all their hard work pays off!

Source

2006 was a productive year for the citizens of Jackson, Alabama. Back in January of last year several of the town's citizens came together and started a widespread weight-loss campaign called "Get lost in Jackson" geared towards helping the town become healthier. The original goal was for 2,006 total pounds lost by the end of the year -- but they passed that mark in the first month! One member of the town even referred to the phenomenon as a "tsunami that overtook us." By the end of last month the "pound count" had reached 10,000.

It sounds like a cool idea, offering monthly prizes and all kinds of education and support. And are they finished now that they've hit such a remarkable milestone? Nope, many of the residents are already going for the 2007 round.

Source

Remember American Idol winner Ruben Studdard? I do -- barely. He's made the news again recently with reports that he's lost over 100 pounds, all with help from mentor and American Idol judge Randy Jackson.

Ruben is a good ole' southern boy, hailing from Alabama, where deep fried southern comfort food is a staple for many. As such, he is encouraging other Alabamans to Abandon their unhealthy habits and adopt new, healthy ones, as he did. Incidentally, Alabama has the distinction of having one of the highest obesity rates in the country - 28.4. Yikes!

I say good for Ruben for using his fame to influence others to be healthier. I hope he keeps up with his new habits and makes a difference in Alabama and nation-wide.

Source