Get healthy and show civic pride with the Health First Mayors' Fitness Challenge

We’re well into February, and those New Year’s good intentions have vanished into a box of Valentine’s chocolate.

If you need a push to revisit your fitness goals, why not join the Health First Mayors’ Fitness Challenge?

Now in its second year, the friendly competition pits teams from 12 Brevard cities against one another to determine the Most Fit City 2018. Participants report their minutes of exercise via email each week. The city with the most exercise minutes when the competition ends April 28 receives the Most Fit City trophy.

The competition began Feb. 3, but it's not too late to participate. Visit United Way of Brevard's website to sign up (uwbrevard.org). Participants log their exercise minutes each week and email them in to be counted. Reporting is on the honor system. Remember, it's a friendly competition.

Rob Rains, president of United Way of Brevard, said the Mayors' Fitness Challenge fits perfectly into his organizations' overall mission. United Way is partnering with Health First and Get Healthy Brevard for the challenge.

United Way of Brevard's priorities are health, education and financial stability, said Rains. Initially, the focus was on improving health care access. With the Mayors' Fitness Challenge, that scope is expanding to include wellness.

"It's all about quality of life," Rains said. "People may not need our agencies as much if they're healthier."

Last year, 1,360 people across the Space Coast logged 2.4 million minutes of exercise during the challenge. So far this year, that number has grown to more than 2,300 people who exercised a total of 439,050 minutes the first week. 

Cape Canaveral won the title last year, and is ahead so far this year, followed by Cocoa Beach, Palm Bay, Cocoa and Indialantic.

"The goal is fitness and getting people to move," Rains said, "but there's also this great sense of community."

There's a lot of civic pride involved, he said. 

So now that you've decided to help your town and get in shape, here are a few suggestions for where to start:

Work out with the chief

About three years ago, Rockledge Public Safety Director Joseph P. LaSata started leading weekly Friday workouts for police officers and firefighters in his city.

"Physical fitness is important in our line of work," he said. Plus the workouts build camaraderie. "This gives us the opportunity to share a different kind of experience."

Word has spread about the workouts, and a few non-law public safety people have started showing up.

Last year, Mayors' Fitness Challenge participants were invited to join the 30-minute sweat sessions, and LaSata said they're welcome to come out again this year.

Every week is different. He puts together high-intensity interval training workouts with the help of personal trainers and YouTube videos. The workouts start at 6:15 a.m. every Friday on the football practice field at Rockledge High School. Bring dumbbells, a towel or yoga mat and water. 

Keep in mind: This isn't an officially sanctioned Rockledge city event, so exercise at your own risk. 

Walk with the editor

FLORIDA TODAY executive editor Bob Gabordi will lead three-mile community walks across the county in the coming weeks. His next walk will be at 8 a.m. March 3 at Cocoa High School Stadium.

Times and locations haven't been finalized for all the events, but other upcoming walks will  be:

• March 10 in West Melbourne
• March 17 in Indialantic
• March 24 at Palm Bay City Hall, 9 a.m.
• March 30 at 5:30 p.m. in Grant-Valkaria
• April 7 in Indian Harbour Beach
• April 14 in Cape Canaveral

Go for a run (or walk)

The Running Zone in Melbourne sponsors regular fun runs across the county. These offer a great opportunity to make new friends while getting fit. And yes, it's OK to walk. 

• 6:30-8:30 a.m. Sundays, Oars & Paddles Park, 1329 Banana River Drive, Indian Harbour Beach
• 6-7 a.m. Mondays, Eau Gallie Library, run over the causeway
• 6-7 p.m. Mondays, Pizza Gallery & Grill, 2250 Town Center Avenue, Viera
• 6-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Long Doggers Post Road, 2870 Post Road, Melbourne

Participating cities

Twelve Brevard cities and the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base/Cape Canaveral Air Force Station are vying for the Most Fit City trophy. If you live in unincorporated Brevard or your city isn't participating, you can still join the challenge. Sign up with the city where you work or that's closest to where you live:

• Cape Canaveral, Mayor Bob Hoog
• Cocoa, Mayor Henry Parrish III
• Cocoa Beach, Mayor Ben Malik
• Grant-Valkaria, Mayor Del Yonts
• Indian Harbour Beach, Mayor David Panicola
• Indialantic, Mayor Dave Berkman
• Melbourne, Mayor Kathy Meehan
• Palm Bay, Mayor William Capote
• Rockledge, Mayor Thomas Price
• Satellite Beach, Mayor Frank Catino
• West Melbourne, Mayor Hal Rose
• Titusville, Mayor Walt Johnson
• 45 Space Wing, Brig. Gen. Wayne R. Monteith

Email Leonard at sleonard@floridatoday.com.

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