Get Fit producing more than just fitness gains

Ten professionals and 10 teams are competing in the 2015 Get Fit Challenge. Who will earn the healthiest marks? Follow along on Facebook and then find out at the In Business Expo & Conference on Oct. 21. This week, IB checks in with the team from Community Partnerships Inc., which includes team members Scott Strong, Mercy Greenwald, Carrie Tourek, and Lori Duzan. Stay tuned for future blogs from the team.

Hello once again from Team Community Partnerships! We cannot believe that time has passed so quickly and the IB Get Fit Challenge is winding down. In these past six months, we’ve all had our shares of ups and downs, but it really feels like we’ve created some sustainable awareness and made positive changes in the way we take care of each other and ourselves.

During the past few weeks, Mercy has been able to get back into a more rigorous exercise routine, now that her finger is mostly healed. The last few months have been difficult with her injury, but she’s getting back to feeling motivated, strong, and healthy. While she wasn’t able to participate in the Madison Mini Marathon as she had hoped, she is running again and feeling good. She’s also likely to compete in a team-based fitness challenge at her gym, capitalizing on the Get Fit momentum she’s gained. All in all, she’s really enjoying being a part of this challenge!

After some early minor injuries, Scott was able to get back into running again to compliment his regular routine of morning circuit exercise. Once back on track, he took advantage of some late summer vacation time, which typically means getting off the exercise and healthy eating wagon; however, he was able to build in healthy activities during his time away (walking, running, kayaking, and paddle boarding) and once back returned to his routine with a minimal amount of set backs — especially since he enjoyed good, and sometimes not-so-healthy, food while on vacation. Now in the home stretch, Scott is motivated to stick with his routines and finish strong. Having the Get Fit Challenge and his awesome team behind him, Scott has enjoyed the past six months of healthy focus and looks forward to continuing. He reached his initial challenge goals in early summer and is on track to meet his new goals by the end of the Get Fit Challenge.

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One major success for Scott was getting back into running. He hadn’t run for over 25 years and didn’t really think he could get back into running for exercise. However, after signing up for the “Moving for Mental Health” 5K with some of his Get Fit Team back in May to support a local mental health organization, he has a new found appreciation for running and will continue to build running into his exercise routine. He’s thankful the Get Fit Challenge has helped open new doors.

Lori has continued to lead a relatively healthy lifestyle with her busy family, who like to swim, bike, walk, and jump on the trampoline. She has incorporated more walking meetings at work and eats more healthy meals. She also completed a second, 10-day herbal cleanse in the last few months and plans to do one of these every quarter or so to maintain healthier food habits.

Carrie continues to exercise on a daily basis, and pushes herself harder each week. She utilizes the gym during the week and enjoys outdoor runs on the weekends. Carrie’s average distances and pace have both improved over the course of this challenge, and she intends to continue into the fall. To keep herself energized even after the challenge, Carrie will coach a Girls on the Run team this fall.

Everyone on Team CP has really enjoying the support and help of their fellow teammates. This opportunity allowed Team CP, and all of CP in general, to put more stock in self-care and promoting health in both our own lives and our work!

Meet all of the competitors here and see who wins at the In Business Expo & Conference.

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