CARIBOU, Maine — Sometimes a little bit of an incentive helps get people moving, and that’s the story behind Cary Medical Center’s recent 96,100 Steps Challenge.
Through a collaboration between Cary, Pines Health Services and local businesses, the 96,100 Steps Challenge aimed to help people improve their fitness level by increasing the number of steps they take every day. Every time registrants reached the 96,100-step mark, they received one entry into the grand prize drawing for a cruise to Bermuda.
Nearly 250 participants walked more than 65 million steps combined — that’s over 31,000 miles.
Last year’s 200 Miles in 200 Days fitness challenge winner, Tammy Jo Knoll of Caribou, received 22 entries into the drawing for logging more than 2 million steps during the challenge, which ran from February 1 to May 15. She was the adult with the highest number of steps logged. Kyryn Stickney of Presque Isle, then 7, logged 340,000 steps during the challenge, making her the youth who logged the most steps. Both will receive a duffel bag stuffed with “swag.”
On May 21, Bethany Zell, Cary’s Healthy You Program director, drew the grand prize winner, Carol Skinner of Garfield Plantation, who logged more than 1 million steps during the challenge.
Skinner was thrilled with the news and shared that the challenge had provided just the motivation that she needed to get moving.
“I’ve lost nearly 50 pounds since I started the 96,100 Steps Challenge,” she shared with Bill Flagg, director of public and community relations at the hospital, when he called to notify her of her big win.
“While prizes are a big part of the initial attraction to the program, people start realizing the health benefits associated with the contest and they become even more motivated to participate and then continue with the healthy habit,” said Zell. In fact, several participants reported improved health and fitness as a result of their increased physical activity throughout the challenge period, she said.
Cary has plans to offer future community-based health and wellness initiatives and fitness challenges in hopes of creating healthier communities.
Submitted by the Community Relations and Development Office of Cary Medical Center.
