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 13th highest obesity rate in the nation and Illinois is not too far behind at the 27th. 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.