Glastonbury Conn. Chamber of Commerce announced enrollment for the “Steps 2 Success” fitness challenge begins March 18. This eight week program runs April 1- May 31, and is designed to motivate participants to ‘get moving’ while also increasing local business exposure. Steps 2 Success is the most recent example of Glastonbury’s commitment to being the ‘healthiest Chamber in Connecticut’.
In concern over the nation’s worsening health statistics, Glastonbury Chamber members have made it a priority to promote healthy lifestyles, believing that a healthy community and workforce are critical in order to foster a strong local economy. In addition to creating the award winning “Living Well in Glastonbury” initiative, the 60 member Health and Wellness Council within the Chamber coordinates a variety of fitness festivals, expos, workshops, contests, and even offers a tool kit for small business owners to adopt their own workplace wellness programs.
According to Chamber President Mary Ellen Dombrowski the Health and Wellness Council comprises “over 10% of our total membership. This is the largest committee of the Chamber and often the most compelling reason new members join the Chamber.”
As spring approaches, “the purpose for ‘Steps 2 Success’ is to get people moving no matter what their fitness level, or what activity they choose” says Lynn Wagner Glastonbury Branch Manager at American Eagle Federal Credit Union who spearheaded the program within the Health and Wellness Council based on a similar program done through American Eagle.
“Participants are to track and record their daily activity on walkertracker.com; everything is recorded as ‘steps’. Through the website any activity can be converted to steps so everything you do can be counted even if it is not step based (such as weight training, gardening, etc.). The goal is just to get people more active in whatever way they choose” says Wagner. The first 50 people that enroll get a free pedometer to help with tracking.
On walkertracker.com, the Steps 2 Success participants will be ‘walking’ from Yankee Stadium to Fenway park. Along the journey they may be come across a local business that will offer them something (a coupon, prize drawing, etc.) providing motivation for participants as well as promotion for local business.
“Sponsoring businesses will contribute bigger prizes to be awarded at program end by drawing. Prize eligibility is not determined by most steps, but through consistency in recording activity” explains Wagner. “We wanted it to be fair and motivate people to participate at all levels. Consistently recordyour activity and you are eligible to win a prize".
Participants can enter individually or as a team (through work or even as a family). “People got really into it” says Wagner of the previous challenge “we would see employees comparing pedometer readings throughout the day and then start walking all over the office to increase their number! But that is exactly the point: to motivate people to look for ways to increase their activity throughout the day. The key is to continue that healthy mindset after the 8 weeks are over, now that the new healthy habit has been established.”
It is definitely a step in the right direction that other communities should try.
Steps 2 Success Glastonbury Chamber Fitness Challenge: April 1 - May 31, 2013 $20/Glastonbury Chamber member; $25/non-member. Details and to enroll on-line
For more information: Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce 2400 Main Street, Suite 2, Glastonbury, CT 06033,(860) 659-3587 phone
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