Apr. 25--ORANGE -- Participants in the Orange County Fitness Challenge have been working hard during the first week and the results are in on the top three winner so far.
This week, the leader is the women under the age of 50 category is Bethany Breaux who lost 10 percent of her body fat; she is followed by Junior Leger, who lost 7 percent of his body fat in the men under 50 category. Lola Day lost 2 percent in the women over 50 category.
It is not too late to sign up for the challenge. Participants do not have to be members of King's Gym. It is free to enter the challenge and participants can win great prizes. The grand prize is a one-year membership to the gym. Participants will be measured weekly. No weights will be given out, only body fat percentages. The participants are divided by groups such as womens, mens and a group for people over 50 years of age.
For more information call 409-882-0687 or go the gym located at 403 Donnell.
Russ and Rebel Raley, owners of King's Gym are hoping to get everyone involved and aware of how easy it is to get moving and be healthy.
"The main objective is to get people motivated and fit," said Rebel Raley.
However, the biggest prize of all is a longer healthier life, according to Raley.
The challenge begins Monday and continues through June 12 which is the first day of summer.
Rebel Raley offers some tips for people just getting started or wanting to start.
Starting a regular exercise program is not always the easiest thing to do. People make millions of excuses even though they know it is time to take action. Raley encourages everyone to stop making excuses and face facts head-on.
Some people may feel self-conscious and can start off with walking. Then there is nothing to feel self-conscious then and everyone already knows how to walk. Power walking is just a matter of picking up the pace and keeping it up which raises the heart rate.
Exercise may be boring for some, but people should think how bored they will be laying in a hospital bed. Health complications from inactivity happens every year to millions of people.
"Taking care of your body is the most rewarding thing you can do," Raley said.
People also need to make time for themselves when it comes to exercising and it does not have to be expensive. There is no expense in walking except a possible purchase of a good pair of shoes. In addition, people do not need a gym membership to walk.
People often use the excuse they are too tired or overweight. It may be hard to believe, but regular exercise actually energizes a person. Once a person exercises on a regular basis, it will be a healthy habit they will look forward to doing. Using their body regularly will make it more efficient and the person will feel livelier and more energetic. In addition, exercise will help a person lose weight, but they just have to start somewhere.
Finally, people are never too old to exercise. Research has shown that even people in their 80s and 90s can improve their health and fitness once they start being regularly physically active.
Debby Schamber is a reporter for the Orange Leader. She can be reached at 409-883-3571 ext. 2609 or at dschamber@orangeleader.com.
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