Health council offering heart challenge

After a year of being inside because of the pandemic, the Quay County Health Council is offering residents a Safe Heart Healthy Challenge to get the new year off to a great start.

This challenge, which begins Saturday and runs through March 27, is to get the minimum recommended amount of physical activity a day. Recommendations for adults is 30 minutes of moderately intense activity a day and 60 minutes for children. Those who do not normally get the minimum amount of exercise should start where they are at and add to it weekly.

Everyone one should spend some time stretching and working on flexibility everyday along with balance. Balance is especially important as one ages.

Cardio are activities that increase your heart rate that include walking, vacuuming, marching in place, dancing, bicycle riding, running and more. The Health Council Facebook page has albums with suggested activities. Be sure to get outside and get fresh air on nice days. To count, cardio must be accomplished in 10-minute increments or more.

Here is how the challenge will work. Download three log sheets from the Health Council page on Facebook or email [email protected] to have one sent. One also can text your name and address to (575) 815-4575, and forms will be mailed to you though the post office.

When you complete a log sheet, take it to the Quay County Extension Office and turn it in and you will receive one of three prizes. Each participant who completes six weeks will be entered into a drawing for a gift basket.

Follow the challenge on Social Media as the Health Council will add information about heart health and tasty recipes. Follow the #MoveWithHeart tag. Check out the event on the Health Council’s Facebook page for updates and to enter your progress into its polls. Challenge friends and neighbors to get involved. Funding for this project was provided by Presbyterian Center for Community Health.