For the fifth year in a row, the Sedalia Democrat and Warrensburg Star-Journal are challenging the community to get a little healthier with the Get Fit Challenge.
The purpose of the Get Fit Challenge is to promote a healthy and happy lifestyle in Sedalia, Warrensburg and surrounding communities by offering unique opportunities and spreading the word of all things healthy in the area.
Over the past four years, hundreds of teams have participated in the challenges, and those who reached the finish line lost thousands of pounds.
“After taking a year off from the Get Fit Health Expo due to the pandemic, we’re excited to bring it back in 2022,” Publisher Will Weibert said. “I’m looking forward to seeing all the teams again as we kick off another great challenge.”
The challenge will kick off with the Get Fit Health Expo hosted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15 at the MEC Building on the Missouri State Fairgrounds. It is free and open to the public, even if visitors don’t plan to sign up for the challenge. The expo will feature information about exercise and facilities in the area, and health care and nutrition options such as chiropractors, physical therapy and nutritionists.
In 2022, the Democrat and Star-Journal will offer one 12-week challenge. The final weigh-in date and location will be announced at a later date.
Over the course of the weight-loss challenge, citizens will be encouraged to embark on a healthier lifestyle to lose weight safely. There will be a total of $2,000 in cash prizes to the top five teams based on the percentage of overall team weight loss.
The cost is $40 per team of two to enter the challenge. Participants must find their own teammates and are encouraged to weigh in together at the expo.
Contestants must be at least 16 years old to participate. The Democrat and Star-Journal suggest that all participants consult with their health care professional before starting any weight-loss routine.
The Democrat and Star-Journal will not only help citizens have fun with fitness and nutrition through the Get Fit Challenge, but they will also donate to local nonprofits. For each pound lost in the Get Fit Challenge by teams who attend the final weigh-in, the newspapers will donate 25 cents to an area nonprofit. For example, if 200 registered teams each lose 40 pounds for a total of 8,000 pounds, the newspapers would donate $2,000. The overall Get Fit Challenge winner will choose the lucky nonprofit. The newspapers will donate an additional 25 cents per pound to the Get Fit Youth Fund.
In 2020, the Democrat and Star-Journal hosted a 12-week challenge. Zachary and Janelle Crabtree, team Fat & Crabby, won the challenge and lost 11.19% of their initial body weight. Janelle was the overall winner, losing 12.4% of her initial body weight. She chose to split the $508 donation between the Sedalia and Warrensburg animal shelters.
To register for the Get Fit Challenge 2022, visit sedaliademocrat.com/get-fit-challenge. For more information, visit sedaliademocrat.com/get-fit-challenge, call 660-530-4519 or email juliew@sedaliademocrat.com.
Participants are also encouraged to join the West Central Missouri Get Fit group on Facebook to receive updates about community events and participate in discussions.
