GRAND FORKS – The Altru Family YMCA has once again launched Health Trip, a 60-day program designed to encourage healthy lifestyle choices and daily exercise during the winter months.
Health Trip, which is being celebrated as part of the YMCA’s 140th year of operation, runs through March 6. Sign-up is still available for those who wish to participate.
The program focuses on physical activity, nutrition and overall health through a fun, map-based challenge with prizes. The wellness challenges are intended to promote a healthy spirit, mind and body, with activities that promote fitness and stress management. They are meant to help people become healthier, happier and more active.
“This is our first year back with Health Trip, with a full map,” which features brief descriptions of milestones in the YMCA’s history since its founding by six local churches in 1886, said Adam Sorum, healthy living director. Last year’s program, presented in partnership with Blue Zones Grand Forks, did not include a map.
The map is used by participants to track their activities and lifestyle choices. Points are earned for accomplishing specific behavioral and lifestyle challenges.
Health Trip is beneficial for participants because it focuses on behavior change, Sorum said. “There are lifestyle changes and nutrition challenges incorporated into it. It’s been a fairly stressful year so far, so the stress management challenges, habit changes, anything like that (are helpful).
New Year’s resolutions may not be as common as they used to be, he said, “but this helps to get some gumption to start making some good healthy changes.”
“It’s a pretty good program overall,” Sorum said. “People seem to really enjoy it.”
According to an announcement from the YMCA, “Participants will have fun staying healthy during the winter months while traveling the many YMCA milestones from 1886 to the present.
“Everyone is encouraged to make healthy food choices, manage stress, change unhealthy habits, exercise daily, improve their home environment and more.”
People are invited to join individually or form a team. They may join as a family or company group to enhance their health and enjoy a bit of friendly competition.
Each participant is charged a $20 fee which includes a map, logbook, chances to win door prizes, a commemorative T-shirt and access to “Free Fridays” at the Y. Each person will receive gift cards and “swag bags” for those who complete the map, Sorum said.
During “Free Fridays,” participants may take classes that day, whether or not they are YMCA members.
Any staff member with Grand Forks Public Schools, one of the event sponsors, may participate in Health Trip for a reduced fee of $15.
For more information or to enroll, go to the YMCA website or contact Sorum at the YMCA, (701) 775-2586. The YMCA is located at 215 N. Seventh St.
