YMCA to host annual fitness challenge

Exercisers filled the treadmills, ellipticals and other machines Wednesday at the YMCA of Callaway County. The YMCA is gearing up to host their annual Lifestyle Challenge, designed to encourage area residents to get more fit.
Exercisers filled the treadmills, ellipticals and other machines Wednesday at the YMCA of Callaway County. The YMCA is gearing up to host their annual Lifestyle Challenge, designed to encourage area residents to get more fit.

Goals to lose weight, eat better and live healthier are common themes for New Year's resolutions, and the YMCA of Callaway County once again is offering a little incentive to help area residents make those resolutions stick.

Callawegians looking to shed weight or get in shape have until Monday, Jan. 7 to sign up for the Y's Lifestyle Challenge.

Over a period of 12 weeks, participants are encouraged to move more and eat better, with the end goal of establishing a new, more fit, lifestyle.

"For the last 10 years we've been doing some sort of weight loss challenge. Last year we redesigned it to promote more physical activity and proper nutrition," said Sara McDaniel, program director for the YMCA of Callaway County.

She said the challenge consists of an initial weigh-in, after which there will be monthly weigh-ins and weekly activity logs where participants may enter "anything from a workout at the Y to a run on your own to doing yard work." McDaniel said the YMCA also will offer nutritional tips and weekly goals and challenges such as eating breakfast every day.

Participants may register as an individual or as part of a team of four. Cost is $30 for individual members, $40 for non-members. Team registration is $85 for members or $95 for non-members.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.