Slightly more than three months after launching, Shape Up Vashon has several components in place to help people make healthier lifestyle choices, and more are in the works for the coming year.

More than 100 people have joined the group; monthly classes on a variety of health topics are offered; an incentive program provides rewards and a walking group has formed.

Dr. Kathleen Davis, the founder of the group, said she is happy with the progress.

“We’re growing,” she said. “We set an arbitrary goal of having 200 members in a year. We are at three months and have 113 members — that’s why I am pleased.”

Monthly class topics have included a look at depression and seasonal affective disorder as well as the important numbers in health care, such as blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose. Classes are free to members and are a small fee for non-members. Typically they meet on the second Wednesday of the month. Classes had been in the evening, Davis noted, but now they will be offered during the day as well because of member requests.

To provide inspiration to members and to help assure that they track their progress, Davis has developed a merit system and awards stars for healthy steps, including attending classes, doing a fitness test, enrolling in the online President’s Challenge Program and losing 10 percent of body weight. Each time people win 15 stars, they earn an award, such as a gift certificate to a Vashon store, and will be entered in a lottery for the grand prize: a free round-trip ticket on Southwest Airlines.

In addition to the President’s Challenge Program, in which people commit to being active five days a week, six weeks out of eight, Davis has created an alternative record for people to keep track of their healthy steps.

It’s important that people log their progress, Davis said. Not only will doing so help her track how well people in the program are doing and be useful for grants and replication purposes, but logging information helps people stay on track with their goals.

“There is science behind this,” she said. “Studies have shown that people who record their activities toward their health goals are more likely to succeed in achieving them.”

She noted that many people are not logging their information, such as weight loss and exercise, but tell her when they see her around the Island.

“I think that’s cool,” she said. “But I can’t measure it.”

To help people keep moving and get outdoors, an SUV walking group has formed, with the help of group coordinator Rachelle Meenach-Ligrano.

Walks for members have been taking place about once a week, she said, usually on a mile to two-and-a-half-mile route.

“We walk at any pace that’s comfortable for the people in that group,” she said.

Groups typically number between four and six people, she said, noting she is always happy when men join in.

Though pleased with the growth of the group, Davis encourages others to join to get all the benefits of SUV, including the seniors who are part of the SilverSneakers program at the Vashon Athletic Club.

Looking ahead, Davis said she plans to create a partnership with Chautauqua Elementary School and will be working with Rochelle Munger, the physical education teacher there, in the coming months. Any parents interested in volunteering for the project should contact her at info@shapeupvashon.org.

Davis also noted community support of the program; several businesses have sponsored this new effort, and Granny’s Attic recently awarded SUV a grant for $3,000, which will go toward funding the incentive program, website development and educational materials.

For more information about SUV, see www.shapeupvashon.org.

The next SUV class, Bones Without Groans, is set for Wednesday, Jan. 11. Former physician and personal trainer Dr. Chris Davis will demonstrate exercises to increase strength in the shoulders, back, hips and knees to prevent or reduce joint pain and improve balance. The class will meet from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Vashon Senior Center on Bank Road and from 7 to 8:15 p.m. at Vashon College in the Sheffield Building. People can register for Shape Up Vashon at either class. Stop by at 6:15 p.m. to have your blood pressure taken, do a three-minute exercise test or weigh-in. It is free for Shape Up Vashon members, $5 for others.