3RD ANNUAL MAYOR’S FITNESS CHALLENGE KICKS OFF MARCH 31ST

SOMERVILLE - The City's 3^rd annual "Mayor's Fitness Challenge" will kick off with an event on Saturday, March 31^st at the Somerville High School field house, 81 Highland Ave.  The Fitness Challenge encourages community members to pledge to embody the Shape Up Somerville motto, "Eat Smart, Play Hard, Move More," by making smarter food choices and increasing daily physical activity.  Individuals may participate in one of two ways:  1) by forming or joining teams of up to 10 people.  At the end of the Challenge, teams will be judged by weight loss and change in Body Mass Index (BMI), and winning teams and individuals will receive prizes.  2) By signing a "Lifestyle Pledge," vowing to make daily lifestyle changes in terms of healthy eating and activity levels.  Those signing the Pledge will also receive incentives throughout the program.  The kickoff event will be held at the Somerville High School Gymnasium from 11am - 2pm on March 31^st, and all members of the public are invited.  The Fitness Challenge will run through Sunday,  June 3^rd, when winners will be announced at the City's first SomerStreets event of 2012 on East Broadway. 

The kickoff event will include fitness demonstrations by local "boot camp" and self-defense studios, face painting, arts and crafts, recreational opportunities for kids and adults, healthy snacks, recipes and healthy cooking demonstrations featuring local chefs.  Individuals choosing to participate in the Team Challenge will be weighed and measured for BMI index at the beginning and end of the Fitness Challenge. 

Throughout the Challenge, participants are encouraged to utilize the City's innovative new wellness portal, implemented through a partnership with Fivi Health Networks.  The interactive website allows users to create health and wellness goals, and track those goals along with daily or weekly fitness regimens.  The portal will provide you with lots of health information and ways to track your efforts to eat smart, move more and live well.  Community members can register by visiting https://somerville.ma.fivi.com/.  

For more information about the Fitness Challenge and its  programs, please contact Director of Community Relations, Carlene Campbell-Hegarty, at 617-625-6600 ext. 2615, or CCampbell@somervillema.gov.