Cary launches ‘100 Miles’ program
CARIBOU, Maine — Cary Medical Center’s Healthy You program launched the 100 Miles in 100 Days fitness challenge July 25, 2016. Already nearly 200 participants have registered through the hospital website and the numbers continue to climb.
Co-sponsored by NorState Federal Credit Union and The County Federal Credit Union, the program aims to motivate individuals to become involved in physical activity by committing to walk 100 miles in 100 days. Bethany Zell, Director of the Healthy You Program, said she has been impressed with the response.
“We have really been overwhelmed by the response to this program,” said Zell, who also heads up Cary’s Pink Aroostook Breast Cancer program. “The numbers just keep rolling in from people throughout the county and beyond. It is so great to launch a program like this and have such great participation.”
Those who register by Aug. 20 will be entered into a drawing for two tickets to the Rascal Flatts concert at Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion Sept. 4 in Bangor. People may register through Oct. 1. Participants must log their miles on the hospital’s website at least once each month to qualify for the grand prize — a $500 gift card from Walmart. Weekly drawings will also be held.
Bill Flagg, director of community relations and development at Cary Medical Center, said that the 100 Miles in 100 Days event is part of a larger effort by the hospital to get people moving.
“The evidence is overwhelming,” said Flagg, who is participating in the program, “that physical activity is a critical part of a healthy lifestyle. We are encouraging people to walk because walking can lower your risk for diabetes, heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, cancer and even Alzheimer’s disease.
“Walking has been called a miracle medicine,” Flagg said. “In fact, research has shown that one hour per day of walking (even doing physically active housework) can give similar results seen with more vigorous exercise such as swimming or jogging.”
Flagg encouraged individuals to join the challenge anytime through Oct. 1. Those who join throughout the challenge later just need to add more miles per day.
“Many people walk three to five miles every day,” said Flagg. “They can accomplish the 100 miles in as little as 30 days. Join anytime up until Oct. 1 and you are still eligible for the grand prize as long as you log your mileage.”
One company, R H Foster, LLC, has taken on the Fitness Challenge. Kurt Kitchen, a reconciliation accountant for RH Foster, said the company likes to promote wellness.
“RH Foster became aware of the 100 Miles in 100 days program through one of our long-standing employees, Betty Hatch. A focus for us here at Foster’s is to promote a culture of wellness and wellbeing throughout the company. It is programs such as the 100 Miles in 100 Days that we find valuable in spreading the opportunity for all of employees to participate. We enjoy participating, as a company, in the communities in which we serve.”
Participants in the 100 miles in 100 days challenge will receive weekly health tips on the benefits of walking. There will also be a drawing for a ‘Fitbit’ at the conclusion of the event in October. Individuals can register for the program at the hospital’s website, carymedicalcenter.org, or by calling the hospital’s public relations office at 498-1112.
