Lights of the World Week 11 Totals

Week 11 of the Woodleaf United Methodist Church Lights of the World fitness challenge ran from November 5 through November 11, 2017. Seventeen participants turned in totals early for week 11, our final week of the challenge. Great job to everyone!

Some weeks may be better than others, but it's better to look at exercise over time, identify trends, and develop a plan that works well for you. What works may change with the seasons or with life changes, so it is helpful to evaluate new needs as they appear.

May each of you find a healthy lifestyle that you can continue for years to come!

Here are Week 11 totals:

Lights of the World Week 11 Totals

To learn more about this or other fitness challenges offered through our health ministry program, click on the site map for links to all articles on our Healthy Woodleaf blog.

Lights of the World Week 10 Totals

Week 10 of the Woodleaf United Methodist Church Lights of the World fitness challenge ran from October 29 through November 4, 2017. Twenty-seven participants turned in totals for week 10.

Here are Week 10 totals:

Lights of the World Week 10 Totals

To learn more about this or other fitness challenges offered through our health ministry program, click on the site map for links to all articles on our Healthy Woodleaf blog.

Lights of the World Week 11: Synchronous Lightening Bugs

Photo by Radim Schreimer at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Photinus_Carolinus_Fireflies.jpg

The Fall 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge encourages participants to be physically active an average of at least 20 minutes/day.

Week 11, starting November 5 and ending November 11, features the Synchronous Fireflies (or Lightning Bugs as most of us southerners prefer to call them) of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Although difficult to predict exactly, the unusual light show displayed by these luminous beetles typically occurs for about two weeks beginning in late May through early June. The timing seems to depend on temperatures, soil moisture, and brightness of the moon.

The flash pattern of lightning bugs seem to help the males and females with mating. Males tend to fly and flash while females tend to stay stationary and flash. Fireflies may flash in waves and randomly; however, this particular species may begin to flash synchronously, all at the same time, in short bursts that end with abrupt dark periods.

If you want to travel west in our state of North Carolina to see this popular natural light show in person, make reservations and have your name added to the list early. A limited number of parking passes are distributed through a lottery each year.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

Thanks to Sponsors for the 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge!

Thanks to Sponsors of 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge

This spring I started asking local businesses if they would be willing to donate a prize as an incentive for our fitness challenge. This fall, I again asked various local businesses if they would donate prizes as incentives for our fitness challenge participants. Many businesses responded with incredible generosity, and I wish to thank each of you for encouraging people to become or remain physically active in our 11-week fitness challenge.

I have listed the prize sponsors and contact information for the 2017 Fall Lights of the World Fitness Challenge hosted by the Woodleaf United Methodist Church health ministry below. THANKS!!!!!

Subway 11735 Statesville Blvd. Shop 5, Third Creek Station Cleveland, NC  27013 704-278-0073      Four $20 Gift Cards	West Rowan Restaurant 8870 Statesville Blvd. Salisbury, NC  28147 704-278-9330      $25 Gift Certificate
Mario's Family Style Restaurant 8850 Statesville Blvd. Cleveland, NC  27013 704-278-4444      $20 Gift Certificate	Blue Bay 2050 Statesville Blvd. Salisbury, NC  28147 704-639-9500      Two $10 Gift Certificates
Woodleaf Lanes 1811 Jake Alexander Blvd. West Salisbury, NC  28147 704-633-5342      Free bowling pass for 6	Jimmy Clean's 1010 Jake Alexander Blvd. West Salisbury, NC  28147 704-310-5844      35 Free Car Washes
Jimmy John's 121 Brenner Ave. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-310-5602      Two $10 Gift Cards	Jersey Mike's Subs Alexander Point 850 Jake Alexander Blvd. West  Ste. E Salisbury, NC  28147 704-642-0111      Four Free Subs
Harris Teeter 850 Jake Alexander Blvd. West Salisbury, NC  28144 704-633-1658      Two $10 Gift Certificates	Food Lion #10 525 Jake Alexander Blvd. West Salisbury, NC  28147 704-636-7615      $20 Gift Card
Olive Garden 1425 Klumac Rd. Salisbury, NC  28147 704-633-6198      $25 Gift Card	Longhorn Steakhouse 1371 Klumac Rd. Salisbury, NC  28146 704-636-2857      $20 Gift Certificate
Hibbett Sports 1345 Klumac Rd. Salisbury, NC  28147 704-647-0935      10 Drawstring Bags	Dick's Sporting Goods 125 Tingle Dr. Salisbury, NC  28146 704-273-3363      Six $20 Gift Certificates  & 3 Coupon Books
Subway 1804 West Innes St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-633-8605      Five Free Subs	Mykonos Grill 1714 West Innes St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-762-9590      Free Lunch Entree
Food Lion #1 123 Mahaley Ave. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-639-9240     $20 Gift Card	Sam's Car Wash 1022 West Innes St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-633-4256      Free in/out Car Wash
Stitchin' Post 104 S. Main St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-637-0708      $10 Coupon & Mirror	Thread Shed 133 S. Main St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-633-1159      Four Large Tumbler Cups
Sidewalk Deli 120 S. Main St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-637-3354      Free Lunch	Piedmont Players Norvell Thretre 213 S. Main St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-633-5471      Two Free Tickets for a Norvell Show
Queens Gift Shoppe 221 S. Main St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-633-7988      Two $10 Coupons & 2 Candles	Sam's Car Wash 800 E. Innes St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-636-8101      Free in/out Car Wash
Panera Bread 825 E. Innes St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-738-0165      Ten "You Pick Two" Coupons	Walmart 323 S. Arlington St. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-639-9718      Two $25 Gift Cards
El Patron 1030 Freeland Dr. Salisbury, NC  28144 704-636-5300      $20 Gift Card	Cracker Barrel 1070 Freeland Dr. Salisbury, NC  28144-5173 704-636-1873      One Gold Card for 2 free meals
Tinsel Town Cinemas 305 Faith Rd. Salisbury, NC  28146 704-639-1342      Two Movie Passes	Applebee's 205 Faith Rd. Salisbury, NC  28146 704-639-1988      Two Free Desserts or Appetizers
Food Lion #932 1388 Hwy 601 South Mocksville, NC  27028 336-751-9913      $20 Gift Card	Sagebrush Steakhouse 1562 Yadkinville Rd. Mocksville, NC  27028 336-936-0021      $20 Gift Certificate
Walmart 261 Cooper Creek Dr. Mocksville, NC  27028 336-751-1266      Two $25 Gift Cards

Lights of the World Week 9 Totals

Week 9 of the Woodleaf United Methodist Church Lights of the World fitness challenge ran from October 22 through October 28, 2017. Thirty-one participants turned in totals for week 9 with more than 8,000 minutes of exercise altogether. Two more weeks to go - finish strong!

Here are Week 9 totals:

To learn more about this or other fitness challenges offered through our health ministry program, click on the site map for links to all articles on our Healthy Woodleaf blog.

Lights of the World Week 10: Everlasting Storm

Photo by Fenando Flores at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Catatumbo_Lightning_-_Rayo_del_Catatumbo_(25217861751).jpg

The Fall 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge encourages participants to be physically active an average of at least 20 minutes/day.

Week 10, starting October 29 and ending November 4, features the Everlasting Storm near the mouth of the Catatumbo River where it empties into Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela. This impressive sky filled light show occurs an average of 297 nights/year, sometimes lasting 10 hours/day with up to 280 strikes/hour, winning a world Guinness record for the area with the most lightening. The storms are most frequent from April to November, often peaking in September. Here's a slide show of mesmerizing photographs highlighting this storm of storms.

Because of its stunning visibility that occurs in the same area, this everlasting storm is sometimes called the Lighthouse of Maracaibo or "river of fire in the sky." The phenomenon occurs when heat and moisture from the Maracaibo Lake and surrounding swampy plains meet cooler air masses from the horseshoe-shaped Andes Mountains at this location. One group studying this Everlasting Storm used tethered balloons in order to predict storm activity months in advance. In 2010, the storm stopped from January to March, but true to its name, the storm resumed after a drought in the region ceased.

When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightenings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind ouf of his treasures. Jeremiah 10:13

Lights of the World Week 8 Totals

Week 8 of the Woodleaf United Methodist Church Lights of the World fitness challenge ran from October 15 through October 21, 2017. Thirty-two participants turned in totals for week 8.

Here are Week 8 totals:

To learn more about this or other fitness challenges offered through our health ministry program, click on the site map for links to all articles on our Healthy Woodleaf blog.

Lights of the World Week 9: Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Photo by Marcrosenrosen at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nz_glowworm.jpeg

The Fall 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge encourages participants to be physically active an average of at least 20 minutes/day.

Week 9, starting October 22 and ending October 28, features Waitomo Glowworm Caves in New Zealand. When touring caves and caverns, one might expect to see formations such as stalactites and stalagmites and animals such as cave ants and crickets. Tourists might be impressed to find longfin eels in one of the underground lakes in this New Zealand cave.

But most visitors of Waitomo Caves are particularly interested in the boat ride on the underground Waitomo River, where glowworms illuminate the cave ceiling above them. You might be surprised to learn that glowworms are not actually worms. They are the larvae of a gnat and these particular glowworms have luminescent tails - the adults look at bit like mosquitoes! These glowworms are luminescent due to a chemical reaction and they become brighter or less bright by controlling the amount of oxygen that reaches their light organ. Their glowing bodies help them attract food and ward off predators.

Click here to see additional pictures of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. Revelation 21:23

Lights of the World Week 7 Totals

Week 7 of the Woodleaf United Methodist Church Lights of the World fitness challenge ran from October 8 through October 14, 2017. Thirty-one participants turned in totals for week 7.

Here are Week 7 totals:

To learn more about this or other fitness challenges offered through our health ministry program, click on the site map for links to all articles on our Healthy Woodleaf blog.

Lights of the World Week 8: Horsetail Fall

Photo by Ambitious Wench at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2007-02-16_-_Horsetail_Fall_(Yosemite).jpg

The Fall 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge encourages participants to be physically active an average of at least 20 minutes/day.

Week 8, starting October 15 and ending October 21, features Horsetail Fall in California's Yosemite National Park. This waterfall flows in winter and early spring. In February at sunset if conditions are just right, the waterfall appears to look like fire cascading down the rocks. This unusual light phenomenon called a firefall is best seen from the el Capitan picnic area in Yosemite National Park.

Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. 
Ecclesiastes 2:13

For more information about this waterfall and to see photos of the waterfall when it is "on fire," click here.

Lights of the World Week 6 Totals

Week 6 of the Woodleaf United Methodist Church Lights of the World fitness challenge ran from October 1 through October 7, 2017. Thirty-two participants turned in totals for week 6.

Here are Week 6 totals:

Lights of the World Week 6 Totals

To learn more about this or other fitness challenges offered through our health ministry program, click on the site map for links to all articles on our Healthy Woodleaf blog.

Lights of the World Week 7: Maco Station Light

Photo by Cassiopeia sweet at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:OER_3021_Signboard_Headlight.jpg

The Fall 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge encourages participant to be physically active an average of at least 20 minutes/day.

Week 7, starting October 8 and ending October 14, features North Carolina's legendary Maco Station Light seen at Rattlesnake Grade or Farmer's Turnout in northeastern Brunswick County. In 1873, a light resembling a lantern was first reported to appear near the railroad tracks at night. Was this the ghost of Joe Baldwin, who stood frantically waving a lantern to warn an oncoming train while on a detached car rolling down the tracks only to be beheaded in the collision?

Perhaps the light resulted from nearby swamp gases, but why would it be swinging side to side and traveling down the center of the track? Headlights from vehicles on a nearby road might have been a good theory, but some say the lights were reported decades before automobiles would have been on the scene.

Some say Grover Cleveland came through the area on a train and asked why the signalman used two lights instead of one and was told it was to distinguish between the real signal and the ghost of Joe Baldwin. The Maco Station elicited a bit of interest from a variety of sources, including Life Magazine, the Smithsonian Institute, and even a machine gun detachment from Fort Bragg.

We'll probably never know the absolute truth about the Maco Station light mystery. The railroad filled in the swamp under the trestle in 1935. The track and trestle associated with the legend were removed in 1977.

If interested in hearing one account of the Maco Station light, click here to listen to Jackie Torrence, a famous storyteller from Spencer, North Carolina, weave the tale as only a seasoned storyteller could.

And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. "Joshua 10:13

Lights of the World Week 5 Totals

Week 5 of the Woodleaf United Methodist Church Lights of the World fitness challenge ran from September 24 through September 30, 2017. Thirty-four participants turned in totals for week 5. Great job to all those who are making exercise a healthy lifestyle habit!

Here are Week 5 totals:

To learn more about this or other fitness challenges offered through our health ministry program, click on the site map for links to all articles on our Healthy Woodleaf blog.

Lights of the World Week 6: Naga Fireballs

Photo by J A Forbes at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Beung_Fai_Phraya_Nag_(187)_ball.JPG

The Fall 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge encourages participants to be physically active an average of at least 20 minutes/day.

Week 6, starting October 1 and ending October 7, features the Naga fireballs, also known as Mekong lights or bung fai paya nak, glowing balls that seem to rise from the Mekong River. Some are as large as a basketball. This unusual reddish light show generally peaks late October. Sometimes thousands of these fireballs are seen in one night around the time of the Phayanak Festival.

Could these glowing orbs be thrown by a legendary serpent that lives in the Mekong River? Could they result from a natural phenomenon such as plasma orbs called St. Elmo's Fire revered by sailors for centuries? Perhaps they are phosphine gas bubbles resulting from a marshy environment. Or maybe they are simply the result of Laotian soldiers firing tracer rounds from flare guns from the other side of the river.

Have you ever seen Naga fireballs, St. Elmo's Fire, or plasma orbs?

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;" 1 Peter 2:9

Lights of the World Week 4 Totals

Week 4 of the Woodleaf United Methodist Church Lights of the World fitness challenge ran from September 17 through September 23, 2017.  Thirty-two participants turned in totals for week 4. Altogether, we logged about 9,000 minutes of exercise. Although the calendar says that autumn is upon us, we are still having lots of temperatures in the 90s, so these numbers look really good to me, and I'm looking forward to seeing what folks will do once the temperatures are a little cooler.

Here are Week 4 totals:

To learn more about this or other fitness challenges offered through our health ministry program, click on the site map for links to all articles on our Healthy Woodleaf blog.

Lights of the World Week 5: Aurora Borealis

Photo by Moyan Brenn at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aurora_borealis_(14832459401).jpg

The Fall 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge encourages participants to be physically active an average of at least 20 minutes/day.

Week 5, starting September 24 and ending September 30, features the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, that can be seen from many different areas of the Northern Hemisphere. A sister light show, Aurora Australis, can be seen from portions of the Southern Hemisphere. The auroral electrons spiral around the geomagnetic field, producing a wide variety of lights in the sky after dark.

If in an area where the phenomena can be seen, observers may see patches or arcs of light. The lights may appear as curtains while some change constantly. A variety of colors may be visible, including various combinations of red, green, blue, yellow, or pink.

If you are in an area where Aurora Borealis is present, you may be able to hear a hissing or crackling sound if you are about 230 feet above the earth's surface. Have you ever seen this light phenomenon? If so, where were you?

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:5

Lights of the World Week 3 Totals

Week 3 of the Woodleaf United Methodist Church Lights of the World fitness challenge ran from September 10 through September 16, 2017. Thirty-one participants turned in totals for week 3. Several of those participants increased their exercise times, and a few are fitting in shorter exercise times several times throughout the day or week in order to fit it in a busy schedule - that's smart! Some weeks will be better than others, but I think it can help to look back over time to see trends.

Here are our Week 3 totals:

To learn more about this or other fitness challenges offered through our health ministry program, click on the site map for links to all articles on our Healthy Woodleaf blog.

Lights of the World Week 4: Kawah Ijen Volcano in Indonesia

Photo by Daniel Julie at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DSC00316_Java_East_Kawah_Ijen_Volcano_Caldeira_and_acide_Lake_and_Sulfured_(6224356958).jpg

The Fall 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge encourages participants to be physically active an average of at least 20 minutes/day.

Week 4, starting September 17 and ending September 23, features the stunning blue glow of the Kawah Ijen Volcano on the island of Java in Indonesia. Atop the volcano lies Kawah Ijen Crater Lake, a large body of water filled with hydrochloric acid. This acid makes the lake appear green.

Those visiting the area may see a spectacular glowing blue show resulting from the combustion of sulfuric acids. The acids ignite as they come in contact with oxygen in the air, sometimes sending glowing blue flames into the air up to 16 feet. Some of these gases condense into liquid sulfur that flows down the sides of the volcano, giving the appearance of bright blue lava.

If you want to see this light show up close, don't forget your gas mask to protect against toxic gases released from these chemical explosions. You'll also want to stay after dark because the bright blue colored phenomenon can only be seen at night. Click here to see the glowing blue nighttime photos.

Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. Ecclesiastes 2:13

Lights of the World Week 2 Totals

Week 2 of the Woodleaf United Methodist Church Lights of the World fitness challenge ran from September 3 through September 9, 2017. Thirty-three participants turned in totals for week 2. Altogether, participants exercised over 9,000 minutes during week 2 - looking good, y'all!

Here are Week 2 totals:

To learn more about this or other fitness challenges offered through our health ministry program, click on the site map for links to all articles on our Healthy Woodleaf blog.

Lights of the World Week 3: Light Pillars of Laramie, Wyoming

Photo by Christoph Geisler at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Light_pillars_over_Laramie_Wyoming_in_winter_night.jpg

The Fall 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge encourages participant to be physically active an average of at least 20 minutes/day.

Week 3, starting September 10 and ending September 16, features the light poles or pillars of Laramie, Wyoming. This phenomenon is actually in the family of halos and requires several circumstances in order to appear: a fairly large town with bright lights at night, temperatures below -4 degrees Fahrenheit, no wind or very little wind, tiny ice crystals in the air. This icy fog then reflects lights from below that appear to be poles or pillars of light reaching toward the sky.

Light sources for this optical illusion may also come from natural sources such as the sun or moon. Have you ever seen a light pillar? If so, were did you see it?

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

Lights of the World Week 1 Totals

Week 1 of the Woodleaf United Methodist Church Lights of the World fitness challenge ran from August 27 through September 2, 2017. Thirty-two participants turned in totals for week 1 - a record week for any of our fitness challenges to date! Participants were physically active through a wide variety of activities, such as walking, exercise classes, weight lifting, yoga, and one participant has been working particularly hard helping folks down in Houston after the hurricane.

Here are Week 1 totals:

Lights of the World Week 1 Totals

To learn more about this or other fitness challenges offered through our health ministry program, click on the site map for links to all articles on our Healthy Woodleaf blog.

Lights of the World Week 2: Blue Grotto

Photo by Glen Scarborough at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_Grotto,_Capri,_IT.jpg

The Fall 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge encourages participants to be physically active an average of at least 20 minutes/day for eleven weeks.

Week 2, starting September 3 and ending September 9, features Blue Grotto in Capri, Italy. Known by locals as Gradola, Blue Grotto is a sea cave illuminated with a dazzling blue reflection as sunlight sparkles through the seawater. Items placed underwater appear silver due to air bubbles that surround the object.

The mouth of the cave is about two meters wide and one meter high; those wishing to enter the cave must time the trip during low tide when the sea is calm. The cave is accessible via rowboat; visitors enter the cave by lying flat on the bottom of the boat that is then pulled in by chains.

During Roman times, this grotto was a marine temple and the personal swimming area for Emperor Tiberius. This sea cave has inspired several writers, including Mark Twain, August Kopisch, Alberto Moravia, and Ann Weil.

Have you ever traveled to a sea cave? If so, what was the most memorable part of that experience for you?

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

Lights of the World Week 1: Antelope Slot Canyon

Photo by Lucas Loffler https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USA_Antelope-Canyon.jpg

The Fall 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge encourages participants to be physically active an average of at least 20 minutes/day for eleven weeks.

Week 1, starting August 27 and ending September 2, features Antelope Slot Canyon in Page Arizona. Upper Antelope Canyon is also called "The Crack." The Navajo name for this section means "the place where water runs through rocks." Lower Antelope Canyon is sometimes referred to as "The Corkscrew," and the Navajo name for this section means "spiral rock arches."

This slot canyon was formed as the result of erosion of Navajo Sandstone. Flash floods still occur within both canyons, but the natural beauty of sunlight streaming through areas of the canyons and brightly illuminating the multicolored canyon walls attracts a large number of photographers and tourists each year.

Have you ever visited Antelope Canyon? If so, what was your experience?

Then spake Jesus again to them saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12

2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge

2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge at Woodleaf United Methodist Church

Woodleaf United Methodist Church's health ministry is excited to present our Fall 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge! This challenge begins Sunday, August 27 and continues for 11 weeks through Saturday, November 11. Each week, we'll focus on a different naturally occurring light in the world with a "light" Bible verse for reflection.

If you are interested in joining the challenge, feel free to email NurseforWoodleafUMC@gmail.com. Each week runs Sunday through Saturday; participants submit how much total time they exercise each week by Tuesday of the following week. Submissions may be in person at the church, by phone, or via email. Results are then displayed in graph form on our blog - no names are published with the results.

Regular exercise has been shown to have a multitude of positive health benefits. The challenge encourages participants to exercise an average of at least 20 minutes/day, but you are welcome to set your own individual fitness goals for the challenge as well. Children who would like to participate should get permission from a parent/guardian. We'd love for you to join us on this healthy journey!

Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge Final Week 11 Results

Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge Week 11 Results

Week 11 results are in, completing our Climb Every Mountain Spring 2017 fitness challenge through Woodleaf United Methodist Church. It just keeps getting better; totals for the last week are the highest of the challenge weeks. Twenty-three participants submitted 377 points total, equaling over 125 hours of physical activity for the week.

After adding totals for the entire 11 weeks of the challenge, I'm so excited to announce that we earned 3554 points. Each point equals 20 minutes of physical activity, so together we were physically active over 1184 hours during the challenge, with an average of 4.6 hours per week per participant. That is significantly higher than average!

Staying physically active is a lifestyle, and as this challenge draws to a close, I encourage everyone to look for ways to get or stay physically active this summer. Go for a 10 minute walk after each meal - it adds up. Try different ways to exercise to keep workouts exciting. Plan some group activities that involve walking or other physical activities. It doesn't have to be expensive or fancy.

Feel free to contact me at NurseforWoodleafUMC@gmail.com if you have ideas for future fitness challenges or group fitness activities or would like more information about our fitness classes at the church.

Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge Week 10 Results

Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge Week 10 Results

Twenty-two participants turned in totals for Week 10 of the Climb Every Mountain Fitness challenge. This is the next to last week of the challenge, and I'm impressed. Altogether, we logged more physical activity time than any previous week of this challenge with a grand total of 353 points or over 117 hours of exercise.

Exercising with a group is a great way to mix up the fitness routine and socialize with others. Getting outside for exercise also has great benefits. We are having a group walk tomorrow, May 20 and will meet at Woodleaf United Methodist Church (9000 Church Street in Woodleaf) at 10:00 a.m. or meet at City Park in Salisbury (park is by Rowan Regional Medical Center - meet at the parking lot by the lake, playground, and tennis courts). Bring a water bottle, sunscreen, hat, and some comfortable walking shoes and join me!

I'm looking forward to seeing what numbers come in for week 12 - can we beat our latest record?

Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge Week 11

Week 11 Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge - Mt. Mitchell

The Spring 2017 Climb Every Mountain encourages participants to exercise an average of at least 20 minutes per day. Week 11, beginning May 14 and ending May 20, features Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi.

Part of the Black Mountain Range in Burnsville of Yancey County, Mount Mitchell offers a climate that is more similar to Canada than North Carolina. In the early 1800s, Dr. Elisha Mitchell, a science professor at the University of North Carolina, suspected that the Black Mountains were higher than Grandfather Mountain, the commonly accepted highest peak in North Carolina at the time. He worked to establish its official height, eventually losing his life after falling from a cliff above a 40-foot waterfall in the area. In 1915, Mount Mitchell became North Carolina's first state park.

Hikers will find seven trails at Mount Mitchell State Park, ranging from easy to strenuous. Visitors will find diverse plants and animals that are distinctive of the Southern Appalachian area. The peak is often covered with clouds and fog. Many of the trees near the highest elevations were destroyed by an insect pest called balsam woolly adelgid, air pollution, and acid-laden precipitation.

A National Trails Day activity scheduled for June 3, 2017 at Mount Mitchell offers visitors the opportunity to join park staff for a 2.3-mile round trip hike between Mount Mitchell and Mount Craig, the second highest peak east of the Mississippi.

Have you ever visited Mt. Mitchell? If so, what were your favorite activities?

Though the mountains be shaken
    and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
    nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
    says the Lord, who has compassion on you

Isaiah 54:10

Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge Week 9 Results

Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge Week 9 Results

Week 9 results for the Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge are in. Twenty-three participants submitted points for a grant total of 340 points, equaling over 113 hours of physical activity for the week.

This was the second highest set of numbers for our fitness challenge, which is excellent. Developing a fitness routine as a way of life can help our bodies as well as our emotional health. Physical activity can increase our endorphin levels, helping us to meet life's challenges with more resilience and peace of mind.

Summer is just around the corner! What are your plans to stay active?

Many Thanks to Our Sponsors

Thank you to donors for Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge

Quite a few local businesses have generously donated gifts so that participants of our 2017 Climb Every Mountain Fitness Challenge will receive a gift at our end-of-challenge party at the end of the month. A huge THANKS to each of you for encouraging physical fitness and health in our community!

Below are the sponsors, in random order...perhaps you might stop by and support their businesses while you're out exercising in the area!

Fresh fruits/veggies for our end of challenge party
Wetmore Farm

175 Farm Dr.

Woodleaf, NC  27054

Plants
The Garden Greenhouses

4070 Woodleaf Rd.

Salisbury, NC  28147

Five $20 Gift Certificates
Subway

11747 Statesville Blvd.

Cleveland, NC  27013

$20 Gift Certificate
IGA #601

11747 Statesville Blvd.

Cleveland, NC  27013

$20 Gift Certificate
Sunrise Cafe

210 Old Amity Hill Rd.

Cleveland, NC  27013

Free Salad Bar Buffet
Grazer's Restaurant

11705 Statesville Blvd.

Cleveland, NC  27013

$25 Gift Certificate
West Rowan Grill

8870 Statesville Blvd.

Salisbury, NC  28147

$10 Gift Card
K&W Cafeteria

1925 Jake Alexander Blvd. S.  Ste C-1

Salisbury, NC  28146

Free bowling pass
Woodleaf Lanes

1811 Jake Alexander Blvd. W.

Salisbury, NC  28147

$25 Gift Card
Food Lion #10

525 Jake Alexander Blvd. W.

Salisbury, NC  28147

Free lunch entree
Mykonos Grill

1714 W. Innes St.

Salisbury, NC  28144

Free car wash
Sam's Car Wash

1022 W. Innes St.

Salisbury, NC  28144

$10 Gift Card
Jimmy John's 121
Brenner Ave.

Salisbury, NC  28144

Five $10 Gift Certificates/21 pens/21 compacts

The Stitchin' Post

104 S. Main St.
Salisbury, NC  28144

Two $10 Gift Certificates

Blue Bay

2050 Statesville Blvd.
Salisbury, NC  28147

$50 Gift Card/multiple coupons

Dick's Sporting Goods

125 Tingle Dr.
Salisbury, NC  28146

$25 Gift Card

Olive Garden

1425 Klumac Rd.
Salisbury, NC  28147

$15 Gift Card

Walmart

323 S. Arlington St.
Salisbury, NC  28144

2 guest passes

Tinsel Town

305 Faith Rd.
Salisbury, NC  28146

2 free appetizers or desserts

Applebee's

205 Faith Rd.
Salisbury, NC  28146


$50 Donation
Davie Discount Drug
141 Marginal St.
Cooleemee, NC 27014

Thanks again to each and every one of you!