About Us

Live Healthy Virginia is a state-wide, Web based, and teamwork driven program that will motivate and teach individuals and organizations how to make positive and lasting changes to achieve a healthy lifestyle through increased physical activity, improved diet, and weight loss over the course of 100 days.

Live Healthy Virginia is modeled after the successful Lighten Up program that originated in Iowa. Former Iowa Governors Robert Ray and Terry Branstad initiated meetings with the Board of Directors of the Iowa Sports Foundation to launch the pilot program, Lighten Up Iowa, in 2002. Since its inception nearly 75,000 Iowans have lost over 305,000 pounds and have logged over 14 million converted miles of activity.

The tremendous success of Lighten Up Iowa has aided other states to start similar programs. Today, 18 states offer Lighten Up programs based on the Iowa model.