Mayor Richard Alcombright welcomes participants to the Mayor's Fitness Challenge at Northern Berkshire YMCA on Friday evening.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Mayor Richard Alcombright brought inspiring words to this year's participants of the Mayor's Fitness Challenge.
Residents interested in joining in on the 10-week fitness challenge met at the Northern Berkshire YMCA on Friday night for the kick off.
However, this year the stakes are a bit higher as North Adams will be challenging Pittsfield and its Mayor Daniel Bianchi. Pittsfield kicks off its challenge on Saturday morning.
"We have challenged the city of Pittsfield and it looks like we are off to a great start here," the mayor said. "We want to keep this momentum going. Stay out there, be active."
The program promotes healthy habits by bringing together individuals and teams who track their healthy habits using a point system. Residents review points by drinking water, partaking in healthy activities, attending health-oriented lectures and, of course, eating healthy.
An addition to this year's challenge are the "mega bonus points" that people can rack up if they go to a healthy event in the competition's city.
The mayor told the packed gym that last year, he committed to drinking more water, and this year he is ready to up his game. He suggested that participants should focus on these small goals to achieve their larger fitness goals.
This is about a lifestyle change ... like in my case, last year I simply drank more water. This year, I am going to expand my efforts," he said. "But all you have to do is think about it. It is a small step, baby steps to a healthy lifestyle. It is not incredible change right away."
Mass in Motion Project Coordinator Amanda Chilson, who also is coordinating the challenge, said the aim this year is to not only create a healthier North Adams, but a healthier Berkshire County by challenging Pittsfield.
"The next 10 weeks are going to be an exciting opportunity to really work together to build a healthier North Adams. It's an opportunity for us to challenge one another in a fun way as well as challenge the city of Pittsfield and work towards a county goal," she said. "We can make the place that we live, work, and play much healthier."
Chilson asked the participants to explore the several health and wellness practitioners from the community who set up stations in the gym. She said many of them will offer opportunities throughout the program.
Participants also could partake in fitness demonstration form local fitness programs who have partnered with the challenge such as Zumba, Miner Combat, and even hula hooping.
"Make those changes, and take these next 10 weeks and ingrain them in your head, in your body, and take good care of yourselves," the mayor said.
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Mayor Richard Alcombright welcomes participants to the Mayor's Fitness Challenge at Northern Berkshire YMCA on Friday evening.
