4TH ANNUAL MAYOR’S FITNESS CHALLENGE KICKS OFF APRIL 13TH
In New Partnership with Union Square Main Streets, Challenge Includes Community Challenge, Wellness Pledge; Participants will receive discounted fitness services, coupons to local restaurants & businesses; Awards to be issued at July 4th Fireworks at Trum
SOMERVILLE - The City of Somerville and Union Square Main Streets announce the 4th annual "Mayor's Fitness Challenge," which
will kick off with a celebration and Fitness Fair on Saturday, April 13th 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. The kickoff event will be held at the Somerville High School Gymnasium from 11am - 3 pm on April 13th, and all members of the public are invited.
The Fitness Challenge will run through Thursday, June 20th, with the winners to be announced at the City's annual Fourth of July Fireworks on Thursday, June 27th at Trum Field.
The kickoff event will include fitness demonstrations by local studios, face painting, a "Silver Spoon Award" food challenge featuring food trucks serving healthy snack options, arts and crafts, recreational
opportunities for kids and adults, and much more. Individuals may participate in two ways 1) The Team Challenge. Teams are made up of 10
individuals. Each team competes with the goal of measuring a total team percentage of weight loss and BMI change. The team with the highest number of points earned will win a prize. 2) The Individual Challenge. Participants will sign a "Health and Wellness
Pledge," setting up personal goal(s) that promote physical activity and healthy lifestyle changes. Those signing the Pledge or joining a team will receive incentives throughout the program.
This year, Shape Up Somerville also announces a new mascot, "Shape Up Sam!" Follow Sam on Twitter, @ShapeUpSam, for Fitness Challenge updates, and general health and wellness
information.
"Our commitment to a healthy, sustainable community starts with healthy community members, and we are excited to once again offer the Fitness Challenge as a way for residents to break free from the winter slump,
and learn about new and challenging ways to get and stay active in the City of Somerville," said Mayor Curtatone. "Our goal is to help residents learn how to make smart, healthy food choices on a
budget, and to educate our community about the importance of physical activity, and the Challenge is a great way to learn while having fun."
"In just the past couple of years, Somerville has welcomed a whole array of businesses that are wellness oriented. From dancing the tango to lifting weight at a crossfit gym, from yoga to parkour, being
more active has never been more fun here in the City," said Mimi Graney, Executive Director of Union Square Main Streets. "Restaurants, too, have
been taking the Shape Up message to heart and have lots of healthy options on their menus. As part of the fitness challenge many of these businesses are offering introductory events and discounts. The period of the Mayor's
Fitness Challenge is a great time to try something new right here in your
neighborhood."
Fitness Challenge participants will receive incentives for attending fitness activities and/or City-sponsored events throughout the course of the program, including the Mayor's Fitness Buck, which offers discounts to
several area restaurants, businesses, and fitness programs. Recreational and fitness programs will be offered at a discounted rate to Challenge participants on a trial basis.
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 or
visit www.somervillema.gov or www.facebook.com/MayorsFitnessChallenge.
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