Coalition seeks to enlist 10 percent of Appanoose County residents in 100 Day Wellness Challenge [Daily Iowegian, Centerville, Iowa]

Dec. 28--CENTERVILLE -- Appanoose County residents are being challenged to be number one.

The newly formed Appanoose County Wellness Coalition wants Appanoose County to have the highest percentage of participants in Live Healthy Iowa's 100 Day Wellness Challenge in 2012. Last year the county ranked 83rd.

The goal is to get 1,200 people to sign up by Jan. 23, 2012, the first day of the 100 Day Challenge. That would be nearly 10 percent of the county's population. Sign up began Dec. 20.

The coalition is using the event as a kick off for their own group, which held their first meeting in October and whose focus will be on changing the health and wellness culture in Appanoose County.

Members of the group, Joyce Bieber and Heather McKelvey spoke to the Iowegian about how the group formed, what their goals are and what events they are planning for the first part of 2012.

Bieber, director of the Centerville-Rathbun Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and McKelvey, the Health Promotions Manager at Mercy Medical Center in Centerville see both of their jobs as having a direct interest in the health of Appanoose County</location> residents.

McKelvey works regularly with the Rathbun Lake Area YMCA, Appanoose County Public Health, Mercy Medical Center and other community groups and individuals to help address health issues in Appanoose County.

Bieber said although the Chamber of Commerce might at first seem like an odd organization to be concerned with health and wellness, the physical condition of residents is actually very important to business. It can really impact insurance rates as well as productivity due to lost work days and low energy. Bieber sees being a part of the coalition as an important aspect of business life. Also, helping the community to have a positive attitude about fitness and well-being will only make it more attractive to businesses and families who might be thinking about relocating here.

The group decided to use the Live Healthy Iowa 100 Day Wellness Challenge as a kick off for several reasons. The event is well known and well established. It can easily involve a wide range of residents, organizations and businesses across the county. And this year, Appanoose County was one of 20 counties in the state to receive additional support from a Live Healthy Iowa outreach coordinator.

The group has met with the coordinator, John Stevens, who gave them ideas on how to promote the program and also how to promote the many assets that Appanoose County already possesses that can help residents begin a more active lifestyle. Many of the county's outdoor areas and trails are somewhat of a secret from residents, but can be used by anyone to get in daily walks. Local fitness options, such as the YMCA and Howar Junior High are also good options for people looking to add more fitness options to their life. The coalition hopes the 100 Day Challenge, as well as future events they are planning, will help get the word out about what people can do in Appanoose County to be more active.

To join the 100 Day Challenge, first form a team of 2-10 people. Each person pays a $20 fee and receives a training T-shirt, weekly motivational e-mails, personal tracking and goal setting tools and resources, 100 days of access to "Training Peaks," health and wellness discounts from across the state, a chance to win team and individual incentives, a one-year subscription to a lifestyle magazine and more. Children can join the challenge free of charge and participants can also receive a $5 off coupon from www.hy-vee.com. To sign up visit www.livehealthyiowa.org.

The challenge lets teams decide if they want to track minutes of exercise per week, weight loss, or both. All members of the team have to track the same information, which members enter each Friday to update their statistics.

The 100 Day Challenge runs from Jan. 23 to May 1. The coalition plans to track as much of the activity of Appanoose County participants as they can. So far they know that several manufacturer's, the hospital and Lakeview students are planning to participate.

The group is also planning to hold their own kick off Jan. 21. The location is not yet determined. They will be offering things like health screenings and body measurements. There will also be vendors at the event and members of the coalition will be on hand to help sign people up for the 100 Day Challenge.

The Wellness Coalition has several more events planned for early in 2012. The Daily Iowegian will be doing a series of stories during January on what the coalition is planning.

The next meeting of the Appanoose County Wellness Coalition will be held Thursday, Jan. 5 at 5:15 p.m.

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(c)2011 the Daily Iowegian (Centerville, Iowa)

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