Fall Fitness Challenge to Begin September 23rd

The Fall Fitness Challenge will start soon on September 23rd. The challenge is to get 30 minutes of physical activity five days per week. To help you meet the challenge we are changing the month of October to "Walktober in Wilkes" During Walktober their will be group walks at the following locations in Wilkes County:

Move More Mondays – meet at the CVS Trailhead near the hospital at 12 noon each Monday in October for a 30-minute walk along the Yadkin River Greenway.

Tuesdays Evenings in Ronda – meet at the Ronda Memorial Park in Ronda at 5:30pm each Tuesday in October for a 30-minute walk around the park.

Walking Wednesdays – meet at Melody Square in North Wilkesboro at 12 noon each Wednesday in October for a 30-minute walk through downtown.

Cub Creek Thursdays – meet at Cub Creek Park at 8:00am each Thursday in October for a 30-minute walk.

Get Fit Fridays - meet behind the Wilkes Family YMCA at 9:00am each Friday in October for a 30-minute walk along the Yadkin River Greenway.

Each walk will be at a slow to moderate pace.

For more information on the walks or to get a Fall Fitness Challenge log call 651-7449.

Fall Fitness Challenge

What: Wilkes Community Health Council's 1st Annual 6-week Fall Fitness Challenge

Who: Anybody 10 years or older

How: Be physically active (bike, run, walk, swim, play tag, garden, push mow, lift weights, etc.). Track your physical activity on a log for 6 weeks beginning the first day of Fall from September 23rd to November 3rd and send it to:

Wilkes County Health Department
Attn: Fall Fitness Challenge
306 College Street
Wilkesboro, NC 28697

Prizes: Be eligible for prizes from local businesses.

Why: There are so many benefits to being physically active. Decrease your risk of heart attack and stroke, decreases blood pressure, helps you focus at work or in school, gives you more energy, helps you lose weight or keep your weight in check.
Physical activity help you live longer and feel better, it can relieve depression for some people, too. If the benefits of physical activity were put in a pill there would be lines at every pharmacy. It is great for your body, you and I were meant to be moving.

So get up and get moving. If you don't have the time to take 30 minutes all at once, then break up the time. Try two 15-minutes walks or three 10-minutes walks. Try walking the dog, handwashing the car, gardening, push mowing that yard, play kick ball in the front yard (after you push mow), park farther away at the grocery store, take a quick walk at lunch, take the stairs. If you try hard enough you can fit 30 minutes in. Got kids, take them for walk. Are you a kid, take your parents for a walk. It will a good time to talk and get to know each other better.

Get up and get moving. Track it, send the log in, and you may win!

For a log call 336.651.7449

Low-Cost Mammograms and Papsmears Offered by Wilkes County Health Department

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. It is recommended that women start getting mammograms at age 40 along with self-breast exams and clinical breast exams.

Cervical cancer at one time was the leading cause of cancer death among women. Women should have a Pap test every 3 years, this is the most effective way to prevent cervical cancer.

These tests are made available through the Breast & Cervical Cancer Control Project (BCCCP) for women between the ages of 40-64 years. For more information contact Brenda Stanley, RN, BCCCP Coordinator at the Wilkes County Health Department at 651-7484.

FREE MEN'S PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING

Did you know that prostate cancer strikes 1 in 6 men. Get screened for FREE!

FREE prostate cancer screenings available for men 50 years and older, African-American men 45 years and older, or men who have a family history.

When:
Friday, September 21
Where:
Piedmont Urology
1915 West Park Drive
Suite 101

Time: 9am - 3pm
Call Piedmont Urology for an appointment at 838-5655
Walk-ins Welcome

Sponsors:
Dr. John Hettiarachi-Piedmont Urology
North Wilkesboro Rotary Club
Wilkes Regional Medical Center
Wilkes County Health Department
Oncura
Astra Zenica
Indevus Pharmaceuticals
American Cancer Society

Are You Ready For The Challenge?

Starting September 23rd all persons who work or live in Wilkes County can Take the Fall Fitness Challenge (FFC). The FFC is open to anyone 10 years or older. Keep checking this site for more information on the challenge.

Will you take the challenge?

Starting September 23rd you can begin the Fall Fitness Challenge (FFC). This is a 6-week challenge for all residents to be more active.

The FFC is open to anyone living or working in Wilkes County 10 years or older, you just need to do the following:

• Get Moving - get at least 30 minutes of physical activity (walk, bike, run, swim, rake leaves, etc.) per day, and try for 5 days per week.


• Track It - record your physical activity on a log (provided).


• Send It In - for a chance to win free prizes from our sponsors.

ARE YOU READY FOR THE CHALLENGE?