Stillwater County Public Health Department launched Stillwater Gets Fit in February 2010 to mirror the activities of the statewide Shape up Montana program. However, Stillwater Gets Fit brings a local flair to the competition, adding custom nutrition and physical activity ideas to specifically cater to the population of Stillwater.
Participants in Stillwater Gets Fit pay a $5 per team member fee in addition to the $15 per team member for Shape Up Montana. Teams then report miles to Jill Grim, RN at the Stillwater Public Health Department. These miles are then reported in the Stillwater County News weekly, fostering friendly competition within the county. The winning team at the end of the competition is then eligible to choose their “cause” of choice within Stillwater County, and the money raised will go to that charity.
In addition, brief newsletters offering links to websites featuring healthy recipes, exercises and healthy life tips is sent out weekly to participants. These easy, down-to-earth ideas are meant to accommodate the lifestyles of participants.
By making the competition more local, teams of families co-workers, neighbors, bible study groups, etc. are motivated by the progress of each other, and are encouraged to help Stillwater County Get Fit!
Stillwater Gets Fit also hosts an annual health fair with a variety of services and information from around the county. A variety of health screenings is available to local residents at a minimal cost. Those low-cost screenings include blood profiles, blood pressure checks, glucose checks, a mobile mammography unit, bone density scans and flu shots including H1N1. Local health care professionals will be on hand providing information, conducting screenings, and answering health related questions. Educational sessions/demonstrations are offered. The Health Fair saves the consumer thousands of dollars in health care costs due to the low-cost screenings as well as saving lives through early detection. Abnormal screening results are referred to primary care physicians for further review.
The 2013 Health Fair will be on Saturday, October 12th at the Stillwater Pavillion. To be a vendor at the 2013 Health Fair, contact Jill Grimm at JGrim@stillwaterhospital.org.