AT THIS TIME OF year, most Americans can be divided rather neatly into two categories: those who stepped on the scale on Jan. 1 to ascertain the baseline from which they had resolved to lose all those pounds, and those too horrified at what they would see even to enter the room in which the scale resides. Yes, we know some don’t need to lose weight, but they are few.

We could fill this page with the reasons to shed those excess pounds — from expensive diseases and shortened lifespans to the decreased marketability that being overweight brings — but instead we call your attention to the Greater Columbia Shrinkdown.

The Shrinkdown is more than a diet and exercise program. It’s also a chance for individuals, friends and teams from churches, businesses and clubs to come together as a community to participate in something positive. That creates the sort of support network that most people need to stick to a new diet or exercise plan.

The sponsors don’t like to use the word “diet” to describe their free 10-week “healthy living awareness program,” which almost painlessly encourages people to eat better and become more active. Each week, participants receive information about nutrition, exercise and health and a new set of challenges: Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables every day, for instance; stand for an extra half-hour one day. Every Friday, they check their progress at one of a dozen weigh-in sites.

The program is sponsored by the YMCA of Columbia, Lexington Medical Center, Palmetto Health and USC. You can sign up, get free health screenings and meet your fellow participants between 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday at the Colonial Center. You also can sign up yourself or your team at www.greatercolumbia shrinkdown.com. (Links to the other 11 S.C. Shrinkdown programs are at http://www.scshrinkdown.com/.)

Last year, 4,782 people lost a total of 15,802 pounds through the Greater Columbia Shrinkdown. Statewide, 25,315 people lost 74,147 pounds. That was indeed a great shrinkdown. This year, we can do even better.