Wellness Challenge here again

Once again Jamestown Hospital is teaming up with the American Heart Association, Dakota Medical Foundation, and Jamestown’s Healthy Lifestyle Coalition to offer an eight-week Wellness Challenge. The cost of the program is $8 per person and includes a T-shirt or tote created by Orr’ignals. The deadline to sign up is Monday. The program runs Jan. 10-March 6.

The main goal of the program is to make Jamestown the healthiest town in North Dakota. We aim to raise awareness of the importance of healthy lifestyles in improving health, to assist people in making lifestyle changes and to reduce the risk of untoward health outcomes, specifically reducing the risk of heart disease.

Teams can be formed at a place of business or with friends and family. Teams compete to get the most points per person average. Daily points are earned for exercise, healthy eating and weekly challenges. Participants are encouraged to follow the 2008 physical activity recommendations for Americans by achieving at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise weekly and to eat three cups of fruits and vegetables daily. Weekly challenges include: completing the American Heart Association’s My Life Check health survey (www.mylifecheck.heart.org, getting a blood pressure check, reducing sodium and sugar intake and increasing fiber intake and making healthy food choices. Read the weekly articles every Thursday in The Jamestown Sun to learn more about the weekly challenges.

To join the Wellness Challenge, put together a team of four or more participants at a business or with friends and family. Registration information, handouts and recording forms are available online at www.jamestownhospital.com/wellness. People can also stop by the Wellness Center Saturday, Jan 8 from 8 a.m. to noon today or 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday to register, pick up a packet and make your payment. Call the James-town Hospital Wellness Center staff at 952-4891 for more information.

Tags: daily updates, life, health, fitness, wellness, challenge, jamestown