All the staff members here at Eastmont High School were offered the opportunity Assistant Principal Jon Abbott to participate in a fun and competitive challenge that started on Monday January 8th through March 8th. The participating staff will test and help benefit their health and fitness among each other in two different ways.
Abbott said, “I started the Fitness Challenge because we’ve done similar things in the past, and I had several staff members ask me if I would do it again. Personally, I like them because it helps me be healthier. And I also think it’s a fun thing for the staff to do. When we improve our health, people tend to be happier, and it creates positive energy in our lives. I think that impacts everything from attitudes to relationships.”
The staff’s first choice of competitive fitness among each other is their steps challenge. For this challenge, they assemble teams by their department or in other ways, and each member keeps track of how many steps they themselves take each day and record the number in a shared doc with all the staff who are participating. Other activities such as biking and weight lifting are also counted as steps.
Their second choice of competitive fitness is their weight loss challenge. In this challenge, they individually work on their weight loss in their own way. On Jan 8, Jan 19, Feb 2, Feb 16, Mar 1, and March 8 the engaging staff are weighed in the nurse’s office by one of the nurses. One the last day the amount of weight lost between each participant will be compared to find who lost the most weight during the given time.
English teacher Mr. Fenton stated that he chose to participate in both challenges to help remain in an active lifestyle and stay fit.
¨I currently have a one-year-old at home, and much of the time that I used to spend being active or exercising has transferred into spending time with my daughter. I want to find a way to prioritize both spending time with my daughter as well as taking care of myself and my health.¨
He also added that he is sadly getting older, making it harder to stay in shape than it used to be.
