Afterthoughts: Time to get fit, Warren County
The Warren County Shapes Up! Challenge is on and we are encouraging everyone to participate. It does not matter how old you are, how active you are or even how out of shape you are. We can all benefit from this challenge. We can all accept the six weeks challenge to, not only improve our own health, but make our county healthier.
The program is being implemented by a host of citizens wanting to improve the health of our adults and of our children. A 2002 survey showed that 75 percent of students surveyed did not participate in any kind of moderate physical activity. Adults surveyed fell below the nation’s scale by 33 percent when asked if they had any physical activity in the last 30 days.
This lack of exercise is deemed to be the most serious health crisis ever to face the United States. I personally can say I feel better if I exercise regularly. I am sure I fall into the huge category that says “I don’t have time!” We know this is not a credible excuse, as we find time to do the other things we want to do. This will make us feel better, relieve some stress and make us happier people!
We can help curtail this crisis. It’s free, it doesn’t hurt (too much) and we will be better for it. We can register the entire family — parents and children too. Make it a family affair and offer fun challenges to each other for motivation. Offer the challenge to your friends or co-workers and make it a group effort.
The first thing you need to do is sign up and make the promise to yourself that you will accept the challenge.
Registration for Warren County Shapes Up! will be held at the Warren County A&L Fair. Everybody goes to the fair, so this is a perfect place to start. Registration for the six-week health challenge will be Monday through Friday from 5-9 p.m. and Saturday from 1-9 p.m. at the River Park Hospital booth at the fair. The booth is located near the petting zoo for your convenience.
There are two challenge levels set up for you to choose. Level 1 is more for the beginner and Level II is a little more intense. Notice how each day you either add to your regime or increase the length of your exercise.
Level I
Week 1: 15 minutes of exercise for 3 days
Week 2 : Add drinking 6, 8 ounces of water
Week 3: Add eating a healthy breakfast for 5 days
Week 4: Increase exercise time to 20 minutes for 5 days
Week 5: Add eating at least 5 fruits and vegetables
Week 6: Add a “stress reliever” for 2 days
Level II
Week 1: Drink 6, 8 ounces of water and exercise 20 minutes 3 days a week
Week 2: Add eating a healthy breakfast for 5 days
Week 3: Increase above exercise to 30 minutes 5 days a week
Week 4: Add eating at least 5 fruits and vegetables for 5 days
Week 5: Add weight training for 3 days a week
Week 6: Add a “stress reliever” 2 days week
Participants will receive a log-in paper and other information at registration that will make the process easy. They keep up with their own activities and at the completion of the program they will be recognized. Special drawings and small incentives may also be awarded.
So, come on Warren County, let’s “Shape Up!” If you have questions or need more info, call Hilda Lytle at 473-8484 or Amanda Jones at 473-8468 (Ext. 111). Let’s make Warren County a healthier, happy county.