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It’s that time of year when so many of us start making the same pledge we do every January. “This year I’m getting in shape.” “This year I’m doing my part.” We make these pledges without a real plan, just a goal and lackluster determination. But there are some Atlantans out there who have figured out a way to shed those holiday pounds and do their part to save the planet…and make some money doing it.
Lois Fletcher never imagined that in an attempt to avoid paying for parking at work, she’d also gain some extra cash and lose some extra weight. But that’s exactly what happened when Lois decided to give transit a try and joined the Cash for Commuters program. Six months later, Lois has lost more than 30 pounds, earned $135 and saved another $700– all by making the switch from driving alone to taking transit.
“I think that Cash for Commuters provides a wonderful incentive to encourage people to at least try a different mode of transportation,” said Lois. “You'll never know if an alternative will work or not unless you give it a try. I am so glad that I did. This experience has changed my life!”
In June of 2007 Lois’s employer, The American Cancer Society, announced that its offices would move from Clifton Road to downtown Atlanta. For Lois, that meant both a longer commute and an extra expense as she would also have to begin to pay for parking.
To assist employees like Lois, The American Cancer Society worked with the Downtown Transportation Management Association in advance of the move to promote all of the commute alternatives that would be available in the new location. It was through these efforts that Lois learned about Cash for Commuters, which would pay her for making the switch from driving alone to, in her case, taking transit. This, she figured, would be the perfect opportunity to leave her car at home and get in some needed daily exercise.
Lois had been trying to lose weight for several years but found that the pounds were dropping fairly slowly because her schedule didn’t allow for regular exercise. Once she started taking MARTA from Indian Creek to Peachtree Center, the pounds began to drop much faster. Lois was able to dramatically increase her physical activity by walking from the MARTA station to her office, as well as to do errands during lunch. She found, with a pedometer given to her by The American Cancer Society, that she was now walking four to five miles a day.
As she began feeling more fit, she altered her MARTA route to avoid changing trains and started walking even more. Since Lois started using transit in June, she has lost over 30 pounds.
“After I began taking MARTA, the weight dropped off,” said Lois. “I feel great, and walking really clears your mind and reduces stress.”
Lois has since finished the Cash for Commuters program but continues to take transit every day. She says that she has no plans to go back to driving alone, as she enjoys living a healthy lifestyle and taking care of the environment.
Other Atlanta commuters feel the same way. Bill Bennett, a commuter out of Gwinnett, drives to work on Monday with several changes of clothes, and then rides his bike for the rest of the week. He has ridden in weather as hot as 90 degrees and as cold as 26 degrees and raining.
“Even bad weather beats sitting in 316 traffic,” said Bennett, “and I have a friend who often bikes to work with me. It is the perfect time to get my daily exercise.”
John Fritz decided to make his commute part of an intense training regimen, which he called his “Nike Commute.” After doing some regular training, he strapped on his sneakers, ran to work, put in a normal eight-hour day, and then ran back home—and Fritz lives 16 miles away from his office for a total of 32 miles a day. He enlisted the help of a fellow employee who rode his bike and carried extra water bottles while Fritz ran. The two got in shape together and helped to keep Atlanta’s air clean.
Anyone can get fit and go green by joining The Clean Air Campaign. Running, biking and even taking transit to work are all enjoyable and easy ways to lose some weight and get healthy after the holidays. By using an alternative option, metro Atlanta commuters have the power to affect traffic congestion and air quality. Call 1-877-CLEANAIR or visit the website for more information on commuter incentive programs and alternative commute options.
About The Clean Air Campaign
The Clean Air Campaign (cleanaircampaign.com) is a not-for-profit organization that works with Georgia employers, commuters and schools to encourage actions that result in reduced traffic congestion and improved air quality. To accomplish this goal, The Clean Air Campaign offers assistance to more than 400 employers to design and implement commute alternative programs; protects public health through the issuance of Smog Alert notifications; offers targeted incentives to commuters and employers; and works with elementary and middle schools to empower children to play a positive role in reducing traffic and cleaning the air.
For more information, call 1-877-CLEANAIR (1-877-253-2624) or visit the website.
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sarah[.]cookerly.com 
