City of Bastrop kicks off new year with 8-week health challenge, open to public
It’s the most tried and true of New Year’s resolutions: get fit. The city of Bastrop is gearing up for the challenge in 2018 by participating in an eightweek contest to get people in shape and potentially win grant money and bragging rights over other Texas cities.
Bastrop will compete this year in a corporate initiative by H-E-B called It’s Time Texas, which empowers people to live healthier lives by encouraging exercise, good food choices and relaxation and stress-busting.
The statewide competition invites residents, businesses, school districts and government leaders to participate in a contest and earn points for a range of activities, such as tracking fitness routines, hosting community health events, offering exercise classes at work or taking selfies eating good, heart-healthy food.
“The goal is to engage as many people as we can to start 2018 with healthy choices in all parts of life from food to exercise,” said Bastrop Mayor Connie Schroeder. “The whole point of it is just to kick off the new year with a healthy conscience.”
The eight-week contest began Jan. 8 and runs until March 4.
Anyone wishing to participate can register at ittcommunitychallenge.com. Each person who signs up earns Bastrop another 500 points. Soon after, participants can start submitting selfies and tracking activities on the organization’s website.
Schroeder said she has signed a pledge to participate in the initiative. At the Jan. 9 City Council meeting, she encouraged other elected officials to sign up, earning Bastrop more starting points in the competition.
The city that earns the most points among those of the same size will win a grant for its parks and recreation department, which will pay for new exercise equipment or recreation programming.
To help kick things off, the city hosted a Happy Healthy New Year’s Bash at the Bastrop Convention Center on Saturday. The free event featured workout demonstrations, health education, kids’ games, interactive booths and door prizes. Residents also had an opportunity to learn about contest rules and how to participate.
According to It’s Time Texas, the number of overweight and obese kids in the United States has tripled in the past 30 years and one-third of all children born after 2000 are projected to develop Type 2 diabetes in their lifetime. To combat this epidemic, the nonprofit has stepped up to offer free health education and sponsor activities that encourage a healthier lifestyle.
Last year, 23,500 people in 330 Texas communities participated in the health challenge.
To find out more information about the organization, to join the Bastrop health initiative or to track points in the competition, visit the It’s Time Texas website at itstimetexas.org.