Fitness Challenge slated for Oct. 2 at Live Oak Park

FALLBROOK – The Fallbrook Healthcare District and the Fallbrook Community Center have teamed up to present the Fitness Challenge, a new Community Healthcare Program that will take place on October 2 at Live Oak Park.

The Fitness Challenge will feature information on options to help individuals of all ages achieve a higher level of fitness, and will promote healthy nutrition and activity.

Healthcare district board director Lynette Shumway has championed the event, a response to the 3-4-50 alert brought to the attention of the District by the San Diego Health and Human Services Agency director Nick Macchione in his presentation at the Community Collaborative Breakfast in January.

According to the presentation, factors – poor nutrition, obesity, lack of exercise and harmful habits such as tobacco use – can contribute to the four diseases and conditions – diabetes, heart attack and stroke, respiratory conditions and cancer – that caused 50 percent of the deaths recorded in the county in 2007.

The contributing factors are controllable. People can reduce their risk for the four diseases through fitness endeavors, healthy eating, exercising and by refraining from drug use.

The Healthcare District hopes to use the Fitness Challenge as a way to help Fallbrook residents find activities that will help them become healthier.

At the Fitness Challenge, local fitness businesses and specialists will present demonstrations, activities and information that support overall fitness. In addition to the fitness booths and on-stage demonstrations, there will be a walking trail, games, contests and prizes for everyone to enjoy.

The event will also include a voluntary and anonymous weigh-in and BMI evaluation. All the participants’ weight will be tallied and published, then compared with next year’s weigh-in at the Health Fair to determine Fallbrook Fitness Challenge progress.

The Fitness Challenge will take place on Saturday, October 2 at Live Oak Park, 2746 Reche Road, Fallbrook, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free, with free parking available, however organizers ask that each person attending bring a canned (or other non-perishable) food item to donate to the Fallbrook Food Pantry.

Individuals interested in presenting fitness, dance or sports information can register by calling the Fallbrook Healthcare District at (760) 731-9187. Non-profit entities can register at no cost; for-profit entities must pay a $15 fee. Deadline to register is September 23.