More than 150 people took part in the 10thAnnual Morrisville Fall 5K & Fun Run on Saturday November 12. Congratulations to overall female winner Erin McKee of Durham (20:01) and overall male winner Adam Holmes of Durham (15:50). Download a list of winners by age category .
Proceeds from the event will support the Be Active mission to get more North Carolinians physically active. Check out a few photos from the event below. See more photos on our Facebook Page>>.
Principal Tracey Fowler and assistant principal Brayton Leonhardt created a running program to provide Chatham Middle School students an opportunity to have fun while being physically active. Fowler and Leonhardt both enjoy being physically active and recognized the positive impact a program like this would have on students. The two needed the support of students to start the Running Rams of Chatham Middle School program before they could move forward. To their surprise, more than 50 students came together for the first meeting to express their interest in being a part of the program. With buy-in from students, the school needed to fund the new program. Leonhardt received information from Be Active NC about an ING Run grant that would offset costs associated with starting the program. Just before the start of the 2010-11 year, Leonhardt learned that the school would receive the grant.
With 90% of the school’s students receiving free and reduced lunch, a portion of the grant was written to provide quality running shoes to students in need. However, they did not think that all 50 students would need running shoes, and the funds allocated would not cover the costs to buy shoes for every student. Leonhardt contacted a local Dick’s Sporting Goods store to ask about possible in-kind programs that would provide shoes for students at a discount. The Dick’s store manager worked with Sarah Swiss from Brooks Sports Inc., who offered to fit each student with a pair of proper shoes at no cost.
Each runner now has the things he or she needs for the program. They meet three days a week for an hour, stretching and talking about upcoming events and goals. Though the program isn’t mandatory, students are encouraged to attend each session so that they can improve their goals and take part in the school’s annual 5k race. Students, staff, and parents join the core group from time to time, creating even more excitement. “I’m finding that I am no longer keeping the kids accountable for getting a jog in before we go home,” said Leonhardt. “They are holding me accountable for being out there.”
The University of NC at Greensboro (UNCG) is getting its staff healthy and active through its HealthyUNCG initiative that began 3 years ago. An employee wellness team oversees the initiative along with HealthyUNCG champions, representing a wide range of university employees.
Photo published by Campus Weekly, University of NC at Greensboro
HealthyUNCG is helping employees make positive and lasting health changes through incentive programs, employee fitness programs and wellness coaching. “University employees are taking an interest and getting excited about the program,” said Stefanie Milroy, director of the Be Active – UNCG Partnership. In addition to providing guidance and support to the program, the Partnership also donated tote bags, water bottles, and pedometers as incentives.
The initiative recently started Spartan Points that lets faculty and staff earn points for completing a wide variety of healthy activities. One way employees can earn points is by participating in free fitness classes offered through the ActiveU employee fitness program. The classes give employees an opportunity to try different types of physical activities like yoga, tai chi and Zumba.
HealthyUNCG also gives each new employee a healthy living guide that focuses on activities that employees can do on campus and around Greensboro to stay healthy and active.
Be Active is engaging school staff across the state to participate in its first Be Active Schools Staff Challenge from October 19 – December 12. The Challenge is designed to help staff at North Carolina schools to be active every day. Each school can have multiple teams of up to 5 people participating. Throughout the challenge, each participant will receive information and tips to keep their motivation going. Prizes will be awarded to the top schools, teams and individuals.
Are you game? Register through Oct. 19 to compete against over 250 of your colleagues across the state! Contact Evie Houtz for more information or call 919-287-6992.
Check back on our blog in December for a list of winners.
Goal setting is a powerful way to stay motivated and stick to a plan.
Setting a physical activity goal and tracking it is a fun project that you can do with your family. Changing habits can be challenging for all of us, so start with a goal that is easy to accomplish. Whether your goal is to walk 3 times a week, run a 5k or to stick to your strength training plan, the S.M.A.R.T method will set your family up for success.
Specific: A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal. What EXACTLY do you want to accomplish?
Measurable: Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward your goal. This usually comes in the form of a number, such as 30 minutes a day, 20 repetitions or five times a week. If you’re stuck, ask yourself how long, how many or how often.
Attainable: Be honest with yourself about your abilities and your limitations, as well as the activities you enjoy doing.
Realistic: Choose a goal that challenges you to be your best, but is achievable. Your goal should not come easily, but will be reached with careful planning and dedication.
Timely: Give yourself a time frame for each goal. When do you plan to reach your goal and when will you set new goals?
Here are a few examples of SMART goals.
“We’re going to walk three times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri) at 6:00 pm for 40 minutes starting this coming Monday.”
“We’re going to play kickball in our backyard every Sunday before dinner.”
Once your family has set a goal, you’ll want to track it. Track your family’s progress by logging on the Be Active website and entering your activities. Don’t have an account? Create an account for free.
Did you know that North Carolina has the 11th highest rate of childhood obesity in the country? Want to help improve the health of our kids in a fun, easy way? Then come out and play!
You’re invited to participate in North Carolina Play Daze, September 23rd, 24th and 25th.
What is Play Daze? Play Daze is a statewide initiative to celebrate the value of play and is designed to provide diverse play activities for all North Carolinians, from toddlers to grandparents! The initiative coincides with Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play. Schools, child care centers, organizations, churches, or neighborhoods are urged to participate in Play Daze by creating an organized event in their community where people can come out and play!
The event can be a small neighborhood gathering for an hour or a huge, all-day park event. The point is to play for the sake of playing, to be physically active, to challenge each individual to be creative in mind and body, and to share the joy of discovery and interaction without the need for competition. You can host an event anywhere!
Saturday also kicks off Take a Child Outside week –a growing nationwide effort that encourages everyone, especially young people, to get off the couch, unplug from technology, and enjoy the outdoors in their local community.
How do I participate? To find out more and to register your Play Daze, visit the Be Active Kids website where you can download your Play Daze Planner and marketing materials that provide fun ideas and tools to coordinate a day of play. “Like” the Play Daze Facebook page for a list of public NC Play Daze events and to share your Play Daze experience.
Call (919) 287-7012 or email Nancy Goethe for more information.
Morrisville Parks & Recreation introduced an “Active Parents” initiative this month with the goal of getting sideline parents active during their kids’ sports practices at the Morrisville Community Park. The training also prepares parents and their families to run a 5K race.
Each Tuesday from 5:30 – 6:30 pm September 20 – October 18, staff and personal trainers will meet near the soccer, baseball and t-ball fields for the Bleacher to 5K training program. The FREE program offers fitness tips and a plan to prepare families for the Morrisville Fall 5K or another family-friendly race. In addition to the program at the park, the Morrisville Aquatics and Fitness Center (MAFC) will offer trainings every Tuesday at 7 pm to the parents of children participating in recreational programs at the MAFC.
Those unable to make the Tuesday sessions can pick up copies of the Bleachers to 5K Training plan at the MAFC.
The Morrisville Fall 5k and Fun Run 1-mile on November 12 is a great event for parents to put the training into motion as they get active. The race is a family-friendly event with a nice flat course along Town Hall Drive in Morrisville beginning at Cedar Fork Elementary School and it’s perfect for all types of runners.
The Active Parents initiative is sponsored by Morrisville Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources in collaboration with Be Active NC and Active Alex, which are all partners of Advocates for Health in Action (AHA), and Get Ready Athletics.
Email Scott Knox or call 463-6902 for more details.
The 2011 F as in Fat report from the Trust for America’s Health and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation indicates that North Carolina has the 11th highest rate of childhood obesity in the country. The state ranked 14th for childhood obesity in 2009. Obesity rates in North Carolina are increasing and the dangers are very real. Childhood obesity puts children at risk for many chronic conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Although the epidemic is growing, you can help by spreading the message about the dangers of childhood obesity during National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month (COAM).
Join the fight this month by planning or participating in a COAM event that encourages healthy behaviors. Do something as simple as replacing screen time (TV, computers & video games) with physical activities like bike riding, jogging, or walking.
You can also celebrate North Carolina Play Daze on September 23, 24 & 25 by coordinating a day of play with your family, friends and neighbors. Play Daze is a statewide initiative to celebrate the value of play and is designed to provide diverse play activities for all North Carolinians from toddlers to grandparents. You can get creative as you want – organize a neighborhood field day, host a family charity walk or organize a dance off. The point of the day is to be physically active.
For more information about childhood obesity, check out these organizations that promote healthy behaviors in children and youth.
Healthier Kids, Brighter Futures
Be Active Kids
Alliance for a Healthier Generation
Action for Healthy Kids
Centers for Disease Control
Together we can fight childhood obesity by making health a priority in our homes and communities. What will you do to help spread the word about childhood obesity?
Be Active NC partnered with Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh on its annual Kickoff to Kindergarten event held on Aug. 20. Close to 600 kindergartners attended, along with more than 1200 of their family members.
Be Active staff led the Radical Recess activities and collaborated with NCAAHPERD to demonstrate a PE class to new Kindergartners. Experts in nutrition, education, healthy living, proper immunization and other areas were also on hand to talk about what the kindergarten experience is like.
Watch the YouTube video to view clips of more Kickoff to Kindergarten activities.
Did you attend the event? What were some of your kids’ favorite activities? Add your comments below.
Need an extra boost of brainpower? Get physically active! Recent studies have shown that people who are physically active have healthier brains and are able to learn more effectively. This is true for all ages – children, adults and older adults. Check out this recent article in The New York Times regarding exercise and brain health.
A recent study of cognitive functioning in older adults, found those engaging in modest physical activities scored significantly higher on cognitive tests than their less active counterparts. The study concluded that engaging in even light physical activity can help improve mental functioning.
Start improving your memory, concentration and self-confidence by finding activities that you enjoy. Researchers at Elon University say that those who pick modes of activity that they like doing are much more likely to stick to them. And remember, there are thousands of ways to be active!
Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week. Kids should get at least 60 minutes of activity each day. If it’s difficult to set aside 30 minutes at one time, consider getting your activity in 10-15 minute increments. Smaller bursts of energy adding up to 30 minutes will still create the same health benefits. If you’re already getting 30 minutes a day (150 minutes per week), kick it up a notch and shoot for 300 minutes a week to enjoy extensive health benefits.
