Palm Beach County residents logged 32 million minutes of physical activity in March as part of the Palm Healthcare Foundation’s sixth annual “Let’s Move! Commit to Change Physical Activity Challenge.”
The top team was from the Village of Wellington, logging more than 14.9 million activity minutes.
The foundation partnered with PNC Bank and WPEC-CBS12, along with teams from communities across the county, nonprofit organizations, businesses, schools, fitness centers and churches to host the initiative, which inspired residents to complete and log 30 minutes of physical activity each day during the month. Events were held across the county, focusing on physical activity, nutrition and healthy behaviors. More than 200 teams participated this year, doubling the participants from 2017.
“We are simply elated with the results,” said Marge Sullivan, vice president of communications for the Palm Healthcare Foundation. “Our vision is for all Palm Beach County residents to have the opportunity to reach their full health potential. We hope campaigns like ‘Let’s Move!’ will create camaraderie and instill friendly competition throughout the county as residents work to incorporate healthy habits into their daily routines. Physical activity can make a lasting change in health because it decreases the risk for obesity, strengthens bones and muscles, reduces stress, and can improve your mood and quality of sleep.”
The top five teams, according to their total amount of minutes logged, were: the Village of Wellington with 14,940,015 minutes; the City of Delray Beach with 13,878,592 minutes; the City of Boynton Beach with 1,501,210 minutes; the Town of Jupiter with 815,507 minutes; and the City of West Palm Beach with 260,614 minutes.
Thousands of Palm Beach County residents made the commitment to join the challenge. Some people started exercising for the first time; some people decided to “up their game” for the challenge.
The School District of Palm Beach County became a significant player this year. Of the 50 schools and 11 district departments that participated, they logged nearly eight million minutes. Other teams that that really stepped up their involvement include the Florida Department of Health-Palm Beach County, Palm Beach State College, PNC Bank, El Sol and the Area Agency on Aging.
The event’s planning committee established a video contest this year to inspire people to get physically active. There were nine inspiring entries. The winner was Palm Beach State College. Lyn Becker, Wellness Center coordinator at the college, encouraged students and college personnel to take charge of their health through the challenge. “My hope is that our participants will continue what they started in March and keep on moving for the rest of their lives,” Becker said.
For more information about the Palm Healthcare Foundation, visit www.palmhealthcare.org or call (561) 833-6333.
