LULING — Hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds are being lost in the River Parishes thanks to a growing (or shrinking) effort by United Way of St. Charles.

The free program begins its 2017 Spring effort soon, so there is no better time than now to get involved, according to organizers.

“While creating Get Fit United, we knew we wanted to not only help people lose weight but also permanently change their health and subsequently, their family’s health,” said John Dias, executive director of United Way of St. Charles. “By offering the initial 12-week intensive program and continuing to support them for an additional year, we are creating long-term accountability, not just a quick fix.”

Applications are being accepted through March 31, and the actual program runs from May 13 through Aug. 16.

Get Fit United participants attend weekly classes focusing on nutrition, stress-management, meal planning, label reading and exercise. The sessions, led by Ochsner Corporate Wellness, last approximately an hour and include a question-and-answer session with a registered dietitian. In addition to weekly nutrition classes, Anytime Fitness provides participants with a free 12-week gym membership as well as virtual personal training. Fitness boot camps are also conducted at both the East and West Bank Bridge Parks two times per week.

“We have loved being a part of the Get Fit United program. It brings us so much joy watching the participants work hard and reach goals that they did not think they could before,” Anytime Fitness owner Jennifer Perkins. “This is a great program for our community, and we are proud to be a part of it.”

To learn more about the upcoming Get Fit United program or to apply, visit uwaysc.org or call 985-331-9063.

Dias said the overwhelming success of Get Fit United and the generosity of donors have made these programs possible since their January 2016 launch.

“We encourage anyone who is 18 years of age or older, lives or works in St. Charles Parish, and has a strong commitment to changing the future of their health to consider applying,” Dias said.

There is no cost, and participants receive comprehensive health screenings (pre and post), weekly nutrition classes, small group personal training, unlimited gym membership and personalized virtual training.   The first class of Get Fit United completed the initial 12-week program in the spring of 2016. The group of 38 participants lost 329.8 total pounds and saw improvements in health categories from cholesterol to waist circumference.

The second class of Get Fit United began their journey in the fall of 2016, losing a total of 450 pounds and 130 inches in just 12 weeks.