What Is It?
The Get Fit Challenge was identified by the Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Action Team as a program that, when combined with other actions in our community, has a reasonable chance of making a difference in physical activity levels as well as weight status in our community. The Get Fit Challenge is an eight-week challenge that promotes better public and personal health through increased physical activity as well as lifestyle change. This strategy, though not evidence-based, has been implemented in Jackson County since 2011 with great success and participation.
The audience for this strategy is the community at large. This strategy aims to make a different at the individual level-- increasing knowledge and influence on individual attitudes and beliefs towards health. Implementation will take place community-wide in Jackson County.
2017 Get Fit Challenge Kick-Off Walk at the Cullowhee Greenway
Partners
The partners for this strategy include:
- Jackson County Department of Public Health
- Role: Recruit participants, promotion, communication
- Harris Regional Hospital
- Role: Recruit participants, promotion, communication
- Jackson County Public Schools
- Role: Recruit participants, promotion, communication
- Western Carolina University
- Role: Recruit participants, promotion, communication
- Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department
- Role: Recruit participants, promotion, communication
- Jackson County Department on Aging
- Role: Recruit participants, promotion, communication
Updates
2017 Updates
Get Fit Challenge: With help from partners, the Action Team led the Get Fit Challenge with 443 participants and 65 teams. Participants are encouraged to get at least the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity per week. The Challenge is 8 weeks long, from the beginning of September to the end of October.
This year, we had 3 free physical activity opportunities for participants, as well as the End-of-Challenge Celebration. Action Team members also wrote articles for the Sylva Herald Newspaper about physical activity resources at the library, and hiking/getting outside in our area during the fall.
The Kick-Off Walk was held Thursday, September 7th at the Cullowhee Greenway. 18 participants walked the 2 mile trail together.
A free CrossFit demo was hosted by Catamount Crossfit on Thursday, September 28th. 7 participants were involved.
A free yoga demo was taught at the Bridge Park in Sylva by yoga instructor Marilynn Davis on November 19th. 6 participants attended and were very complimentary of Marilynn's teaching style. The weather was perfect for an outdoors yoga session.
The End-of-Challenge Celebration was held on Thursday, November 2nd at the Cullowhee Recreation Center. BLANK amount of participants attended for a walk around the gym together and then the top teams were awarded prizes. Superlatives were given away this year for Most Creative Name and Most Improved participant.
ADD PICTURE
2016 Updates
New to the Challenge this year, participants were able to log their active minutes electronically through the Challenge Runner website or smart phone app. The 2016 Get Fit Challenge experienced 490 participants and 74 teams.
Physical activity opportunities were available throughout the challenge and included a couple of group walks. The End-of-Challenge Celebration was hosted by WCU Physical Education department at the Cullowhee Rec Center, where students put together an obstacle course for participants. Press releases promoting the challenge and encouraging physical activity throughout the fall were submitted to the Sylva Herald.