If you’re like many Americans these days, chances are you’d like to slim down and improve your health.

In April, AARP launched the Fat 2 Fit Community Weight-Loss Challenge (www.aarp.org/health/healthyliving/fat2fit/), an online program to help you lose weight. The brains behind Fat 2 Fit is hero Carole Carson, the Nevada County, Calif., dynamo who in 2004 inspired 1,000 people in Nevada County to lose a collective 8 tons.

Carole garnered national recognition for her success in Nevada County and published her story in the book “From Fat to Fit: Turn Yourself Into a Weapon of Mass Reduction!” Last year, she began working to create a similar opportunity for a broader national audience — the AARP. Her Web site challenge was launched April 15, and she set a goal of registering 5,000 people to collectively lose 20 tons together.

Is this program for you? It’s free and open to all ages. All you need is the commitment and determination to lose weight and get healthy. Just go online and join the weight-loss challenge now.

On the Web site, you’ll find lots of tips and tricks to lose weight. And by making a commitment to your own great health, you’ll also find yourself with more energy, lower blood pressure, better strength and a better mood — not to mention a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis and dementia.

So go ahead and take the challenge, and find yourself getting FIT:

F: Find inspiration, information, cooking tips and advice from experts to help stay on track.

I: Individualize eating and exercise routines so new, healthy habits can be developed and sustained.

T: Team up with others to give and receive support in their fitness adventure.