Each year, millions of people will make resolutions to get fit and be healthier.
If you’re unaccustomed to working out or eating whole foods, it might be hard to find a place to start.
Despite not beginning until February, the Nutrition Habit Challenge might be a good way to begin incorporating healthy practices into your existing lifestyle.
Since the program lasts an entire month, participants can practice different nutritional behaviors over a long period of time, which will make them more likely to continuing the healthy habits.
The program was started by One on One Fitness Consultants Inc. co-founders Bruce Burke and his wife, Kym, in 2010 when they challenged their clients “to make one or two small nutritional commitments” during the month of February, according to the NHC website.
“We’re always looking for new ways to challenge our clients,” Burke says. “Just to keep things interesting. Always looking for different ways to help them realize their goals.”
Last year, NHC spread to a community-wide initiative that included local sponsors and prizes for those who successfully participated. In its first year, the program had 720 participants, including 100 families, and raised $10,000 for the Centre County Youth Service Bureau and Centre Volunteers in Medicine through major sponsorship by One on One, Kish Bank and Otto’s Pub & Brewery.
“We chose these charities because they are extremely important to our community,” Burke says. “It is an easy decision for us to get behind organizations who provide medical care for those in need and care for at-risk youths. They are 100 percent local and their mission’s line up closely with ours.”
Further motivation to participate in and complete the program was a grand prize trip to Disney World. Last year’s trip was won by Mary Wright, who participated in the challenge with her family.
“It was so gratifying to see a 10-year-old girl win the trip,” Burke says, adding that the end goal of NHC is to inspire participants to practice their nutrition habit change past the 28-day requirement. “We’re trying to get our community to address their health habits. If we can motivate people with a trip … and have it impact their fitness and health for the long-term, it’s a good thing.”
This year’s challenge will begin Feb. 1 and go through the end of the month. What makes NHC special is that since there is no registration fee, anyone can participate in the challenge, including children.
“We don’t want there to be any barriers for anybody to participate, particularly kids,” Burke said. “And that’s where we’re focusing our efforts. We don’t want to go into a school and have kids think they have to pay or make a donation. We like exposing the kids to philanthropy, but we don’t want there to be any barriers, so there are none.”
Interested participants, however, can make an optional donation to YSB or CVIM when registering.
Through participation with entities like the State College Area School District and Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy, the challenge is extended to children, who Burke hopes initiate the challenge with their parents, siblings and other family members.
“It’s a community wellness initiative,” he says. “With kids, it does so much good. It’s done on the honor system, so it’s a lesson in integrity. If we can get these kids excited about it and have them go home and tell their parents about it … that’s what we’re really focusing on.”
The options of behaviors that participants can choose and change “runs the whole gamut,” Burke says. In previous years, he’s seen people cut back on things such as sugary drinks, and add other items to their diet, such as more fruits and vegetables. Another behavior to consider is being mindful of the things you’re consuming through an act like keeping a journal.
In order to successfully completely the challenge, participants must register online at www.nutritionhabitchallenge.com and print a scorecard. For each day in February that participants successfully practice their nutrition change, they get one point, which is recorded on the scorecard. If a participant accumulates at least 25 points, he or she will be entered into the prize drawings.
Points can be logged electronically or paper scorecards can be turned into Otto’s on North Atherton Street in State College or any Kish Bank branch by Saturday, March 7. Participants can attend the prize drawing from 3 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, at Otto’s, but don’t need to be present to win.
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