Get Moving Upper Peninsula!

Upper Peninsula Campaign

Marquette County has some of the best fitness opportunities in the nation, if not the world. We have an eleven mile paved bike path that has a view that no other area can match. We have cross country and mountain bike trails that are the envy of the nation. We have the world's largest wooden dome that offers walking and many other fitness activities. We have some of the best health and fitness facilities in the state that offer activities from rock climbing to step aerobics. All of these opportunities are out there for our children, employees, and community residents of all ages! So why are our health care costs so high, our children's fitness level so low, and more than 60% of our residents overweight? The answer is simple and we think we have the answer!

Experts at the Center's For Disease Control estimates that if all of us exercised at least 30 minutes a day, most days of the week, this would reduce the risk of developing or dying from some of the leading causes of illness and death in the United States. We're not talking about marathon running or doing triathlons. Simple walking, swimming, hiking or biking, or even gardening provide the activity level needed to benefit. The trick is to do it at least 30 minutes a day. A ten minute walk for morning break, ten minutes at lunchtime and then another ten at mid afternoon break will get it done before you even get home... so the lack of time excuse is just that, an excuse.

The "GetMoving UP!" Campaign, is an eight week fitness incentive program that is being cosponsored by the Wellness Council of the Upper Peninsula. It will begin on March 29th, 2009 and end on May 23rd. Qualifying participants who exercise at least 30 minutes a day, 5 or more days a week for the eight weeks will be eligible for the Grand Prize, a Mountain Bike (or other item valued at $450) ! There are also "$$$ Cash $$$" Stage Prizes.

Teams of four will be able to log their minutes by computer at FitUP.org providing you a fun and easy way to "GetMoving".

For more information on the project, contact George Sedlacek (gsedlacek@mqtcty.org).

HOW PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IMPACTS HEALTH

Regular physical activity that is performed on most days of the week reduces the risk of developing or dying from some of the leading causes of illness and death in the United States. Regular physical activity improves health in the following ways:

Reduces the risk of dying prematurely.
Reduces the risk of dying prematurely from heart disease.
Reduces the risk of developing diabetes.
Reduces the risk of developing high blood pressure.
Helps reduce blood pressure in people who already have high blood pressure.
Reduces the risk of developing colon cancer.
Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety.
Helps control weight.
Helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints.
Helps older adults become stronger and better able to move about without falling.
Promotes psychological well-being.

HEALTH BURDENS THAT COULD BE REDUCED THROUGH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Millions of Americans suffer from illnesses that can be prevented or improved through regular physical activity.

13.5 million people have coronary heart disease.
1.5 million people suffer from a heart attack in a given year.
8 million people have adult-onset (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes.
95,000 people are newly diagnosed with colon cancer each year.
250,000 people suffer from a hip fractures each year.
50 million people have high blood pressure.
Over 60 million people (a third of the population) are overweight.