Fit & Healthy Kids is a coordinated, comprehensive approach to promoting healthy eating and increasing physical activity among children and families. Overweight and obesity among children in Vermont is increasing at an alarming rate. Overweight children are at risk for chronic diseases, academic problems and low self-esteem. Children who are physically active and make nutritious food choices are healthier and better prepared to do well in school.
The 2009 Vermont Worksite Wellness Conference took place on December 1 at Capitol Plaza in Montpelier. Governor Douglas recognized 78 Vermont employers for promoting health and wellness. Presentations, workshops, seminars and exhibits focused on health and fitness interventions in the workplace. Congratulations to all the companies who made a successful impact in the health of their employees. For those companies in attendance that received their award from the governor, you may download your corresponding company photograph via ftp.
It is easiest and best to use an ftp client (i.e. Fetch, SmartFTP, etc.) to login to access your images. Then use the following address, user name, and password to access the images:
ftp address: ftp.dariabishop.com
username: wswa2009
password: bewell09
(In the username and password, those are all zeros and not the letter “o” while in the password there are two letter “l”s and not the number 1!)
For companies that were presented an award by the governor, navigate to the appropriate Award folder and find the image with your company name.
A program of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, the President's Challenge is designed to help everyone across America improve their physical fitness, by finding fitness activities they enjoy and will stick with. On March 20, Governor Jim Douglas issued a proclamation for National President's Challenge Day in Vermont. The President's Challenge continues through May 1.
Governor Jim Douglas and the Vermont Lake Monsters baseball team join the Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in urging Vermont residents and visitors to make frequent stops during long drives, taking time to stretch legs, straighten backs and rejuvenate muscles and minds.
Recommended stretches for motorists are pictured on new permanent displays at Vermont Information Centers at Williston Northbound on I-89 and the Guilford Welcome Center on I-91. Titled "Park Bench Yoga," the stretches can be done at rest stops using park benches, picnic tables, trees and walls. Visitors can take away brochures illustrating these exercises and describing the benefits of exercise for drivers.
"Getting out of your car to walk, take deep breaths and stretch your muscles will help keep you alert, relaxed and pain-free. This will prevent motor vehicle accidents and give you another way to incorporate exercise into your day," Douglas said.
Download a PDF of Park Bench Yoga exercises.
The Council encourages adults to exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week to improve health and reduce the risks of chronic disease. Even when spending long periods seated behind the driver's wheel, people should take a few moments periodically for stretching, deep breathing and brisk walking to stay mentally alert and physically fit.
According to the Governor's Highway Safety Program, drivers who spend more than four hours behind the wheel without a break are likely to suffer from mental fatigue, eye strain and lower back stiffness, all of which can lead to motor vehicle accidents. For more information on safe driving, visit www.vthighwaysafety.com. For more information on Vermont Information Centers, visit www.bgs.state.vt.us/infocenter/index.htm.
Additional Park Bench Yoga displays will be installed at sites along Vermont roadways, thanks to support from sponsors including Cooperative Insurance Companies.
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advocacy subcommittee advocates for funding for bike/pedestrian projects, encourages and supports others in advocating by forming partnerships, works with the Agency of Transportation to facilitate this process, and builds a broad base of public support for bicycling and walking including safe routes to school.
Welcome to Get Moving Vermont!
Get Moving And Win Great Prizes!
Are you ready to take your physical activity to the next level?
Did you know that moderate physical activity performed most days of the week for 30 minutes can significantly improve your health?
Approximately 45% of adult Vermonters do not achieve the recommended amount of physical activity. In fact, 18% of all adults are not active at all, and 73% of Vermont students do not exercise moderately five or more days per week and they spend three or more hours per school day watching TV, playing video games or using the computer.
Get Moving Vermont! wants to change these statistics! You don't have to be an athlete, and there are no age or fitness level requirements. If you are not currently physically active, we want to provide you the opportunity to start slowly and increase your overall fitness.
What is Get Moving Vermont!?
Get Moving Vermont! is a statewide initiative sponsored by the Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sport and the Vermont Department of Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, and The Vermont Health Plan.
The goal of Get Moving Vermont! is to improve the overall health of the community by encouraging people of all ages to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week.
Our packet of material includes:
- A self-assessment questionnaire to determine your level of readiness to make a physical activity plan that’s right for you.
- Stage-based materials to help you through the process of getting started and making physical activity a regular part of your life.
- Activity log to help you keep track of your various activities. Once you have completed your log, you will receive a Recognition Certificate signed by the Governor. Receive a Recognition Certificate from the Governor after submitting your first sheet, a Governor's Fitness Challenge Pin after submitting your second sheet and a free T-shirt after submitting your third sheet.
- Tip Sheets on a variety of physical fitness topics.
The Benefits of Feeling Fit
Perhaps you’ve considered starting a daily activity program, you’re just not sure when or how. You may want to think more about what it means to get fit, or try some small steps first. Active people have more energy and a more positive attitude.
Look at the list of of reasons for exercising and check those you’d like to achieve:
- Feel better
- Live longer
- Strengthen your heart & other muscles
- Lose weight
- Sleep better
- Reduce stress
- Improve concentration
- Lower cholesterol
- Look better
- Decrease your risk for high blood pressure
- Control blood sugar levels
- Have more energy
- Strengthen your bones
To start the Get Moving Vermont! program, download the forms below and follow the instructions on the forms.
Stages of Change questionnaire and materials
Get Moving Vermont Activity Log
Tip Sheets
The Vt. Corporate Cup Challenge and State Agency Road Race
Get involved in 30 minutes of physical activity everyday!
Take the challenge, walk for the health of it.
What Is It?
The goal of the Governor’s Walking Challenge is to recognize individuals who walk for exercise. Three levels of walking achievement are recognized, distances of 50, 100 and 500 miles. A secondary goal of the Governor’s Walking Challenge is to encourage all Vermonters to get involved in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Walking every day at a moderate pace is a good form of physical activity.
Awards
A certificate, signed by the Governor, will be awarded to any individual or group of walkers who walk and log 50 miles. A 100-Mile pin will be awarded by the Governor’s office to any individual or group of walkers who walk and log 100 miles. A Get Moving tee shirt donated by the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports will be awarded to any individual or group of walkers who walk and log 500 miles.
How To Participate
Walk briskly at least three times per week for at least 30 minutes. Log your mileage for each walk on the Governor’s Walking Challenge log sheet. Your first goal is 50 miles and a certificate signed by the Governor.
Use the Governor’s Walking Challenge log sheet to record the miles necessary to achieve the awards. When you have logged 50 miles, fill in and mail the information requested on the log sheet. Then try for the 100-mile challenge!
You can measure the mileage of your walking route by driving it in your car and using the car’s odometer. You can estimate the route distance if you know how long it takes you to walk the route. At a moderate walking pace, you will cover a mile in 20 minutes; at a brisk walking pace, you will cover a mile in 15 minutes.
Who’s Eligible
Individuals who walk solo or as a group at least three times per week for 30 minutes and log their distances on the official Governor’s Walking Challenge log sheet are eligible for recognition.
Logs & Information
Download the form below, or call Suzanne Kelley at 1-800-464-4343 or 657-4202 to request a log sheet to keep a record of the mileage you walk. When you have logged 50, 100, or 500 miles, mail the log to:
Suzanne Kelley, Physical Activity Coordinator, Vermont Department of Health, Office of Health Improvement, P.O. Box 70, Burlington, VT 05402
The Governor’s Walking Challenge program is one of the activities aimed at achieving the Healthy Vermonter 2010 Goal: Increase the percent of adults who exercise regularly to 30%.
Governor's Walking Challenge Form
The Green Mountain Senior Games is a series of competitive athletic events for seniors held statewide which, in addition to promoting fitness, qualifies contenders for the National Senior Games.
National Employee Health and Fitness Day is an annual event the third Wednesday each May that encourages employees to become active and healthier through fun, non-competitive activities. It is sponsored by the National Association for Health & Fitness (NAHF), the Network of State and Governor's Councils.
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