Urges Wisconsinites to Get Moving, Lead Nation in Fitness Challenge
MADISON – As obesity rates rise, and more and more Americans lead sedentary lives, Governor Jim Doyle today issued a statewide challenge to Wisconsin residents to lead healthier and more active lives. The Governor urged adults and kids of all ages to participate in the Wisconsin Governor’s Challenge, a six-week program launched in association with the National President’s Challenge that is designed to inspire individuals to become more physically active.
“I want Wisconsin to lead the nation in the number of people taking the Governor’s Challenge and leading more active, healthier lifestyles,” Governor Doyle said. “This challenge is focused on motivating people of all ages and abilities to find activities they love and get moving. Physical activity is extremely important for improving the health of our nation, decreasing obesity rates, and reducing the risk of many serious diseases.”
Obesity has become an epidemic across the country. In Wisconsin, over 60 percent of our adults are overweight or obese, and many are not physically active at all. Nationwide, our kids are three times more likely to be overweight now than in 1980.
Governor Doyle is joining mayors and governors around the country in issuing the challenges to their states and cities. The state with the highest participation rate will be declared the national winner. Wisconsin currently ranks fourth among the states, with 3,060 people participating. Governor Doyle challenged all Wisconsin residents to participate and lead the nation in this fitness challenge.
The Governor is also encouraging all state employees to participate and is working with all of Wisconsin’s school districts to get our kids involved. As an added incentive, Trek Bicycle Corporation will donate a Trek bike to every Wisconsin school with more than 25 children completing the six-week challenge that can be raffled off to one lucky participant.
The National President’s Challenge is a free, easy-to-use online program designed to encourage Americans of all ages to get active. Adults participating in the challenge can sign up at www.presidentschallenge.org, and must partake in 30 minutes of activity a day (60 minutes a day for children ages 6-17), five days a week for six weeks. From gardening to running, there are over 100 activities to choose from, so there’s something for everyone, the Governor said.
Participation in the challenge is free and progress is tracked online at www.presidentschallenge.org. The program allows participants to set goals, log their activities, monitor their progress, and challenge themselves to become healthier. They can also join as an individual or with a group – a great way to get friends, family, and co-workers moving.
Registration concludes April 3. The challenge began March 20, the first day of spring, and concludes May 15 during National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, giving participants eight weeks to complete the six-week program.
Governor Doyle issued his challenge at the Lussier Family West YMCA of Madison, where he was joined by Pat O’Brien, President and CEO of the YMCA of Dane County, and John Burke, President and CEO of Trek Bicycle Corporation. Burke is also the current Chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, which oversees the National President’s Challenge.
