Good Samaritan, in partnership with the YMCA of Vincennes, is inviting community members to take part in their Community Get Fit Challenge. Individuals and teams of four can participate in this 12-week program, from January 5 to March 30. Each participant will receive guidance and information from dietitians, monthly exercise plans developed by certified trainers, helpful tips to promote mental health, and access to free recipes, fitness demonstrations and tips on decreasing stress.

“Improving the health of our community is something that we as an organization are passionate about and strive to accomplish every day,” said Rob McLin, President and CEO. “With the help of the YMCA of Vincennes and a few of our own Good Samaritan departments, we hope this challenge will motivate individuals to work toward eating better, being more active, and ultimately, achieving a healthier lifestyle.”

Each participant must be 18 years or older at the time of entry. Challenge members can enter as an individual or as a team of four. Participants will be required to attend and weigh-in during the kick-off event, on January 5, and the final weigh-in on March 30, both at the YMCA of Vincennes. The entry fee is $30 per person; however, those who register online by December 21 will get the early bird fee of $25. Entry fee is due at the kick-off event on January 5 and must be cash or check. Weight loss will be based on percentage of weight loss, not pounds, so that everyone can compete fairly.

“Both the YMCA of Vincennes and Good Samaritan are committed to assisting community members in improving their health so the collaboration on the Community Get Fit Challenge made perfect sense,” said Patrick Herman, CEO of the YMCA of Vincennes. “This challenge offers a terrific opportunity to encourage people to get fit, lose a little weight, and have fun in the process.”

Individuals who are a part of the challenge will also receive access to a community Facebook page and the option to purchase a YMCA 3-month membership, lipid panel and A1C at a lower cost for participating. A $1,000 prize will be awarded to the team of four with the highest percentage weight loss. Prizes of $250 will also be given to the individual male and female with the highest percentage weight loss.

“Through our Community Health Needs Assessment it was found that physical inactivity and obesity were areas we needed to address in our community. Our goal was to develop and implement programs to motivate residents of all ages to become more physically active, as well as to change their nutritional behavior to reduce their risk for major health issues. This Community Get Fit Challenge will help us meet that goal,” stated Tiffany Conover, Director of Marketing for Good Samaritan. “Indiana has the 13^th highest obesity rate in the nation and Illinois is not too far behind at the 27^th. We want to provide the tools and support to help our community become healthier and more active, lowering the obesity rate.”

Those who are interested in registering for the challenge can do so by attending the kick-off event on January 5 at the YMCA of Vincennes located at 2010 College Avenue. Participants can also register online at gshvin.org/getfit. Rules and other information about the challenge are also available online.