With America's financial crisis fully underway, one of the last things people are trying to figure out is where to spend the little extra money they have left. While a new car, a pair of shoes or membership to a fitness club may sound ideal, it's safe to say people are more interested in pinching pennies than spending hundreds.

It may not be on our minds day in and day out, but being overweight can actually have a significant, detrimental impact on our finances.

Alisha Krukowski, general manager of Gold's Gym - The Fan, passed along the gym's sponsored research in the article, "Fat-O-Nomics" which reported that "Americans' expanding waistlines come with a price tag of $122.9 billion for the country, with obese Americans losing nearly $10,000 per year out of their own pockets (based on the median U.S. salary of $48,451)."

Obesity has been proven to lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease, all of which are some of the most expensive conditions to treat in America today. That means higher health costs for those who are at higher risk.

While there are other unhealthy lifestyle factors that contribute to a draining pocketbook, it's the fact that heart and cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death for men and women in America that has marked the way for change, at least for Virginians, including Richmonders.

On Tuesday, Oct. 7 Bill Bolling announced yet another health initiative during his term as Lieutenant Governor, the Lieutenant Governor's Challenge: Your Heart Is in Your Hands.

"[The Challenge] is an incentive based exercise and nutrition program where Virginians can set personal activity and diet goals to promote healthier living and increase their own heart health," Bolling said.

Meaning that even if you don't belong to one of Richmond's many health clubs, there is still something you and your family can do to "Shapin' Up."

"One in three people have cardiovascular disease and in Virginia nearly 20,000 people die from heart related illness every year. That is more than cancer, HIV/AIDS and accidents combined."

The Challenge is a 12-week program that includes earning points for increasing physical activities and making healthy dieting choices. After signing up online at ltgovernorschallenge.us, participants will be able to view a list of activity and food suggestions along with their corresponding point values.

"The web site provides each person with their own individual log-in page to record their daily activities and points," Bolling said.

It will also offer tips to those participating on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle long after they have reached their target healthy heart goal. Bronze, silver and gold medals will be awarded to participants after their 12-week period has passed.

Encouraging Virginians to get the ball rolling, the Lt. Governor has recommitted himself to "eating healthier, getting more exercise, losing weight, shaping up and living happier, healthier and longer."

Bolling has chosen to go for the gold and has also set a personal goal of losing an additional 20 pounds as a result of the effort. And he's not the only Richmonder willing to publicize his goals, success, struggles and results.

As part of my dedication to helping change the shape of Richmond through Richmond.com's monthly column, "Shapin' Up," yours truly has signed up to participate in the Challenge as well. Beginning today, it is my goal to also seek the gold medal for both exercise and nutrition and as a result shed 25 pounds in three months.

As far as the next three columns of "Shapin' Up" are concerned, I will report on the points I've earned as well as any successful pounds lost and slip-ups endured. I also invite other Richmonders partaking in the Challenge to begin a discussion here with any tips or group exercise ventures (such as the American Heart Association's Heart Walk), in which they wish to participate.

Start a three-on-three basketball competition that meets every Saturday or grab a few girlfriends to walk 30 minutes with each night of the week. Whatever it is, it's time for Richmond to get active and start making healthier choices.

And who knows, there may not be a need for the classic New Year's resolution of losing weight this year after all.

The Challenge does incorporate concepts that are simply put, common sense. But it is clear that Virginians, from children to parents, adolescents to adults, are not taking advantage. Together, and with the help of the Lieutenant Governor's Challenge, we just might start a revolution of helping Richmond "Shapin' Up."

Are you ready to start making healthier choices? Visit ltgovernorschallenge.us, sign up for the Lieutenant Governor's Challenge: Your Heart Is in Your Hands and start helping Richmond "Shapin' Up."