Former First Lady Michelle Obama made it clear that her initiative while living in the White House was to get Americans moving and working out. Her goal for adults was to have them active for 30 minutes a day, and at least five days a week, or about 8,500 steps each day (4.5 miles).
Well, Mrs. Obama would be proud if she heard what the Lake Central School Corporation was doing. Throughout the month of January, the corporation held a Wellness Challenge for all staff members and interns looking to find a fun way to work-out with their coworkers.
“I love that LCSC is encouraging and motivating us to get moving. As teachers, we never sit down and are moving all day, but this allows us to challenge ourselves to become more active than we already are. They are helping promote healthy lifestyles,” Protsman third grade teacher, Jennifer Walters said.
The overall goal is to walk 43.6 miles, the length it takes to walk to all LCSC schools, in a month, or approximately two miles per day. However, the real goal is to get teachers active for more than just one month.
“The most important thing we should take from this challenge is to continue and go above and beyond even after the challenge is complete. The wellness committee does a great job each year getting us to jumpstart our workouts,” Walters said. “The corporation has done a great job in promoting this wellness challenge along with the other 5k run/walk they have promoted in the fall. Going forward in the future, a challenge would be beneficial to have twice a year to keep us on our feet.”
Participants could join their peers and make a team of 3-5 people. All individuals that reach the 43.6 mile goal will be entered in a raffle for a Speedway gift card, while the school with the most combined miles per participant will be given a plaque to keep for a year. Although the challenge is mainly to get staff members moving while also having fun, the competitiveness between schools is still there. There is a special meaning behind having your school own the plaque.
“I think it will mean a lot to us at Prostman if we were to be titled the "most fit" school because it shows how we come together not only as educators, but as friends as well. We encourage one another on a daily basis to be the best we can be. For the past 3 years, Protsman staff and faculty have participated in Funday Mondays. Once or twice a month, we get together in the gym to play games such as musical chairs, human hungry hippos, hula hoop contests, tic tac toe relay, and balloon races,” Walters said. “Other activities on Mondays have included a half court basketball game, volleyball, yoga, Zumba, and line dancing. If you think the wellness challenge is competitive, you should watch staff and faculty members play musical chairs for prizes.”