2018 Smell the Flowers Fitness Challenge

Smell the Flowers Spring 2018 Fitness Challenge by Woodleaf UMC Health Ministry

Woodleaf United Methodist Church's health ministry presents our Spring 2018 Free Fitness Challenge! This challenge begins Sunday, January 7 and continues for ten weeks through Saturday, March 17. Our fitness challenges seek to nurture our minds, bodies, and spirits. Each week, we will focus on a different flower found in North Carolina along with a Bible verse mentioning a flower or garden for reflection.

The challenge encourages participants to exercise an average of at least 20 minutes/day; you are welcome to set your own individual fitness goals for the challenge if you prefer. The CDC recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and at least two days of weight-bearing exercises weekly. Children exercise recommendations by the CDC include at least 60 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise with muscle-strengthening activities at least three times weekly. For more information on CDC exercise recommendations, click here.

Types of exercise may be any activity that gets your heart pumping harder, breathing deeper, and/or working your muscles. Examples from previous challenges include walking, group exercise classes, yard work, cleaning, weight lifting, use of machines such as an elliptical, and water exercise. You may wish to mix up your exercise routine to accommodate weather patterns and any special needs. Woodleaf United Methodist Church offers eight free group exercise classes per week - feel free to join us for some classes this spring.

If you are interested in joining the challenge, email NurseforWoodleafUMC@gmail.com. Each week runs Sunday through Saturday; participants submit how many minutes they exercise each week by Tuesday at noon of the following week. Submissions may be via email, in person at the church, or by phone. If you wish to use the form to keep on track, feel free to pick one up at the church or print the form in this article. Weekly results are displayed in graph form on our blog - no names are published with the results. Children should get the permission of an adult to participate. Anyone with any health issues should consult a healthcare provider to determine what types of exercise are safe for him or her before starting a fitness challenge.

Although we are currently in winter months, spring and all its glorious flowers are preparing to dazzle us with their beauty. Come, smell the flowers, and join us on this healthy journey!

Printable Time Recording Sheet for 2018 Smell the Flowers 10-week Free Fitness Challenge

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!

2016 Walk to Bethlehem Fitness Challenge

2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA Fitness Challenge

Many of us tend to forget about exercising regularly in the weeks before Christmas. To help us stay on track, I invite everyone to join us for the 2016 Walk to Bethlehem fitness challenge.

Who can join the fitness challenge?

Anyone of any fitness level may join this challenge. Children should check with adult caregivers before joining the challenge - this is a great family activity! You do not have to live in Woodleaf or attend Woodleaf United Methodist Church to participate in this challenge. If you do not have a home church, we invite you to come and worship at Woodleaf UMC! The church is located at 9000 Church Street in Woodleaf, North Carolina and is located right in front of Woodleaf Elementary School in sight of Highway 801.

What does this challenge cost?

There is no charge for participating in this fitness challenge. This challenge is provided by the Woodleaf United Methodist Church health ministry in an effort to encourage a healthy lifestyle for all of us. Come and meet our health ministry team at our annual free health fair on October 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

What is involved in the fitness challenge?

The challenge begins on October 16 and ends on January 7. Weeks start on Sundays and end on Saturdays. Participants will keep track of how much they exercise each day and send me their name and weekly point total via email at nurseforwoodleafumc@gmail.com or you can submit on paper at the church. 

You will earn one point for every 20 minutes that you exercise daily. For example, if you exercise 40 minutes on Tuesday, you will earn two points. If you exercise 60 minutes on Friday, you will earn three points. Please send whole numbers - that is an incentive to exercise a little longer to get that next point! 

Please send your totals no later than Wednesday of the following week to give me time to tally results and post them before the next week starts.

If you prefer to count mileage, one mile equals one point for this fitness challenge. You may use mileage from a pedometer, fitness machine, etc. if you are counting mileage rather than minutes.

For each point that you earn, you will move seven miles closer to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, which is located 540 miles from Woodleaf, North Carolina.

Do you provide forms?

Yes! Those interested in participating may print the form provided at the bottom of this article in order to keep track of points earned. You do not need to submit the form to me, and you don't have to use the form. I just need your name and total weekly points.

What is the goal?

Participants are encouraged to average exercising at least 20 minutes/day (1 point/day). If you average at least 7 points/week, you will meet this fitness challenge. You are welcome to develop your own additional challenges such as focusing on a healthy mind or spirit in addition to the physical fitness focus.

What kind of exercise counts?

You may choose any type of aerobic or resistance training exercise that works for you. Check with your healthcare provider to discuss which types of exercise are most suitable for your fitness level and abilities. It doesn't have to be fancy. Just be physically active for a minimum of 20 minutes per day.

Can we see what everyone else is doing?

Check this Healthy Woodleaf blog for updates. I plan to feature one Christmas carol each week and will post totals without names in graph form each week.

What is the prize?

The best "prize" is enjoying a healthier, more fit lifestyle. I plan to invite everyone to the church at the conclusion of the challenge to join together and sing the twelve Christmas carols featured in the challenge and have the chance to talk with other participants.

2016 Walk to Bethlehem Fitness Challenge

Mileage Form for 2016 Walk to Bethlehem Fitness Challenge

I'd love to have folks from all over the world participating in the 2016 Walk to Bethlehem Fitness Challenge!

WTTB Week 9 Totals

Week 9 totals are in. As we continue through these weeks, many participants have noticed that some weeks involve more exercise than others. Vacations, weather, allergies, illness, and many other factors can put a dent in an exercise routine. Some weeks will simply be better than others; however, I'm impressed with how folks are able to come back after one of those low weeks and keep on keeping on. It can be a temptation to simply stop if the numbers aren't where we had planned, but fitness is something to continue to focus on one day at a time.

Seventeen participants sent in totals for Week 9. Altogether, we logged 241 miles during the week with an overall grand total mileage of a little over 2453 miles. Here are how the totals map out for Week 9:

Here are weekly totals:

Here are grand totals:

Thanks for continuing to exercise weekly; we are well past the halfway mark! If any of you are interested in joining the challenge, you are more than welcome to do so. Click here for information about the 2016 Walk to the Beach Fitness Challenge.