2008 News
2008 Fitness Challenge Begins March 17
Date: February 18, 2008
If you need just a little nudge to help you get serious about improving your health, Healthy Haywood’s annual Fitness Challenge may offer just the ticket.
Beginning March 17, Haywood County residents can visit participating local fitness centers and private businesses offering activity classes up to 24 times over the following eight weeks, all for a registration fee of $10. Free T-shirts will be given to the first 125 who sign up each day on March 17, 18, & 19!
In addition, participants are encouraged to document how much time they spend exercising each day so they can see if they are exercising the amount recommended by the CDC/Center for Disease Control. The CDC recommends 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week to maintain good health and 60 minutes to achieve significant weight loss.
“This year, the focus is not so much on keeping track of points but minutes exercised. This way, participants will be able to monitor their own improvement.” says Duginske.
Participants will be awarded prizes such as gym memberships and classes from participating sponsors as well as other great gift certificates by attending the mid-point and grand finale.
Those fitness centers and private business offering activities for this year’s challenge include: Angie’s Dance Academy; Belly Dancing with Raqs Beledi; Curves in Canton, Waynesville, and Sylva; Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center; Jeremy Sears Academy of Martial Arts; Smoky Mountain Dance Center; The Dance Connection; The Fitness Connection, The Old Armory; Waynesville Recreation Center; and World Gym Canton.
The Fitness Challenge is a project of Healthy Haywood’s Obesity Prevention Action Team. The program has received two statewide awards: the Golden Project award from the NC Public Health Association Wellness and Prevention Section and the Outstanding County Program Award from the NC Commissioners Association because of the successful model it has created for collaboration between county agencies, businesses and the community.
“Last year, we had 1300 people sign up for the challenge!” said Steffie Duginske, Healthy Haywood coordinator. “It would be great to have that many and more participate in 2008! This year we really strived to open the possibilities up even more for participants. By having fitness centers and private business who offer activities like martial arts and dance, we involved the community more and offered more choices to the participants. Bottom line, it’s the support of those facilities offering their services, equipment and staff that make this challenge possible. Hopefully the low cost allows more people in the community to take advantage of the abundance of fitness opportunities available in Haywood County.”
Duginske pointed out that the proceeds from the registration fees are used to support activities of the Obesity Prevention Action Team and to encourage healthy habits such as physical activity and healthy eating for all Haywood County Citizens.
Registration for the 2008 Fitness Challenge is March 17-19 for a cost of $10. On Monday, March 17, registration will take place from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Waynesville Recreation Center, with the Kick Off festivities from 6-7pm. On Tuesday, March 18, citizens can register from 8 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center. On Wednesday, registration takes place at World Gym Canton from 8 a.m. -7 p.m.
Late registration will take place from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. March 24-28 at the Haywood County Health Department. The cost is $20.00. The Mid-Point festivities will take place on April 15 at Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center from 6-7pm and the Grand Finale will take place on May 13 from 6-7pm at Allen’s Creek Park where participants can enjoy prizes, fellowship, food, and fun!
Healthy Haywood is a program of the Haywood County Health Department in collaboration with numerous partners in the county. For more information about the Fitness Challenge and/or Healthy Haywood, contact Duginske at 452-6675, ext. 2270 or go to www.healthyhaywood.org.
