Wisconsin Governor Doyle Kicks-Off 2nd Annual Spring Wisconsin Governor's Challenge

Governor Jim Doyle kicked-off the 2nd Annual Spring Challenge on Tuesday, March 29th at the Aspirus YMCA near Wausau, encouraging Wisconsin residents to lead healthier and more active lifestyles.

"I’m proud that so many people across this state have signed up to participate in the Wisconsin Governor’s Challenge," Governor Doyle said. "Not only have these individuals taken the first steps to improve their own health, but they have also demonstrated their desire to improve the health of Wisconsin as a whole."

The 2005 Spring Challenge is part of an ongoing initiative called the Wisconsin Governor’s Challenge, a six-week program that is free, easy-to-use, and open to everyone. Adults who want to participate commit to exercising 30 minutes a day, five days a week, for six weeks. Participating kids must exercise for 60 minutes a day.

"Spring is the perfect time to get outside and participate in your favorite physical activity," Governor Doyle said. "From hiking to gardening, there are more than 100 activities to choose from, so there's something for everyone."

Governor Doyle initially announced the Wisconsin Governor’s Challenge in early 2004 and it has had record-setting participation that has far eclipsed other states with similar programs. More than 25,000 Wisconsin residents have taken part in the Governor’s Challenge since it started, and more than 10,000 have completed the Challenge.

The event also concluded the 2005 Governor’s Winter Challenge, presented in conjunction with the YMCA, and winners from that challenge were announced. Three winners were drawn randomly from different geographic regions of the state to win prizes donated by Vision Fitness, a designer and distributor of fitness equipment based in Lake Mills, Wisconsin. Vision Fitness provided an elliptical trainer, an upright bike, and a treadmill, worth a total of $7,000, to the randomly drawn winners.

While many successfully completed the Winter Challenge and thousands are expected to sign up for the Spring Challenge, more Wisconsin residents still need to get active. Obesity is poised to overtake smoking as the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the obesity rate in Wisconsin has doubled in the past decade. In addition, only half of Wisconsin adults currently meet standard, minimum activity levels for the U.S.

The seasonal Governor’s Challenges are presented in a partnership between the Office of Governor Jim Doyle, the Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation, and the Trek Bicycle Corporation.

Everyone who completes the six-week Challenge can receive a personalized certificate from Governor Doyle and will be eligible to be entered in a prize drawing.

Wisconsin citizens can register themselves and their family, friends, or co-workers for the program by logging on to the Governor’s Challenge website. Participants can use the website to record their activities on a daily or weekly basis. Those who don’t use the Internet can earn awards by filling in a paper log available on the website or by calling 608-267-0619.

Visit www.wisconsinchallenge.org for more information or to register.