Town striving to be healthiest in Texas

Statewide contest promotes and rewards healthy eating and fitness activities.

Smithville officials want the city to come in at No. 1 in the “It’s Time Texas Community Challenge” this year after earning a third-place finish in the extrasmall-town category last year.

The challenge is a statewide competition in which communities compete to demonstrate commitment to healthy living. The challenge was created and is managed by It’s Time Texas, an Austin-based nonprofit “dedicated to making healthy easier where Texans live, learn, work and worship.”

Winning towns in each of the five categories — from metros to extra small — will earn a grant from H-E-B, the challenge’s main sponsor.

The fitness challenge kicked off Jan. 8 and runs through March 4.

“We want to do more, and I encourage the community to participate,” Smithville grant administrator Jill Strube said of the challenge, which encourages and rewards healthy eating and fitness activities.

“Obesity is one of the biggest threats to health of the people of the U.S.,” said Mayor Scott Saunders. “We must act now to promote healthy lifestyles and choices. I urge the citizens of our community to participate in the challenge and pledge to work towards a healthier future.”

Residents can easily do more to raise points and get fit at the same time. For the first time, individuals will be rewarded with a chance to win prizes for reaching milestones of 5,000, 12,000 and 20,000 points.

Points for individuals can be gained for the challenge in numerous ways. Registering for the challenge and selecting “Smithville” as your town gains 500 points. Those who work locally can also choose Smithville rather than where they live. Other ways to gain points include tracking daily fitness minutes, tracking weight weekly, watch the Living Healthier video lesson and host a community event.

Individuals can also take daily selfies doing several activities: four selfies of healthy eating, one of drinking more water and two of fitness activities.

Students and staff at the Smithville school district can also select it as their school district. All points earned by the individual will also go toward the school’s totals.

Businesses, nonprofits, the school district including staff and teachers, and faith-based groups may also get involved with pledges, workplace assessments and events.

Any age individual can participate in the challenge, and student participation is welcomed both for health and point-raising.

As a bonus, Iron Tiger trainer Luis Bosch will be rewarding the individual with the most points registered in Smithville with a year’s membership to his 24-hour gym on Main Street.

“This is a fantastic way to get moving and start your fitness journey,” Bosch said. “We want to motivate people.”

Liberty Hill won the challenge last year by registering the most people.