LEWISTON – Over 10 weeks this summer, Androscoggin County residents from ages 11 to 89 committed to moving their body more in Healthy Androscoggin’s seventh annual Get Fit and Win program.

“Based on the activity logs everyone kept and submitted for a chance to share in the various cash prizes totaling $1700, everyone is a winner,” said Marion Browning, health promotion manager at Healthy Androscoggin. “It is great to see so many people understand that choosing to move our bodies is important to good health.”

For optimum health benefits, physical activity should be moderate or vigorous and add up to at least 30 minutes a day. Recognizing that not everyone is at the same activity level, Healthy Androscoggin offered two prize categories this year: those who are active less than 30 minutes a day /five days a week and those who are active 30+minutes a day at least five days a week.

Participants were asked to set goals to increase their number of minutes and/or the intensity level of their chosen activities. The six cash prize winners are as follows:

First prize of $500 for less than 30 minutes: Frank Swan of Lewiston. “I never win anything in my life,” said Snow. He is winning the fitness challenge on many levels. While attending Healthy Androscoggin’s weekly Tobacco Support Group, he heard about Get Fit and Win. Walking is his movement of choice.

Second prize of $250 for less than 30 minutes: Edy Churchill of Auburn. “I joined the Y in Auburn and learned how to use a treadmill and read at the same time!” On her log, she wrote a specific number of miles to walk each week. She then totaled the miles at the end of the week and wrote that down as a positive reinforcement of meeting and, in many cases, exceeding her goal. She recently tried a rowing machine thanks to the supportive staff at the Y.

Third prize of $100 for less than 30 minutes: Libby Poulin of Lisbon. “I will certainly be participating next year. Not for the awards, but for the way I feel while exercising. I am continuing to log my exercise for my own benefit and hope to be in the over 30 minute category next year. I am 11 pounds lighter and will be buying new walking shoes with my prize!” Libby, like 40 percent of participants, heard about the program through her employer, Sound Limbs Orthotics and Prosthetics in Lewiston.

First prize of $500 for more than 30 minutes: Corrine Gartley of Lisbon. “Keeping the log makes me do what I don’t want to do! Every bit I do matters and keeps me going.” Gardening, housework – especially up and down the stairs for laundry, walking the mall and swimming are just some of the many choices for movement that Gartley makes.

Second prize of $250 for more than 30 minutes: Gert Chasse of Lewiston. “St. Mary’s HealthSteps Program has been a part of my life for years.” Walking, swimming and exercise classes are just a few of the commitments she makes each week.

Third prize of $100 for more than 30 minutes: Bonnie Trudy of Hebron. “Get Fit and Win was just the inspiration I needed to set new goals and challenge myself.” Badminton, biking, gardening and hiking were her top choices of activity. Trudy and her co-workers from Bates represented 22 percent of this year’s participants.

Healthy Androscoggin is a community coalition supported in part by the Fund for Healthy Maine, Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to promote good health by encouraging tobacco-free lifestyles, healthy eating and physical activity. The activity logs are available at www.healthyandroscoggin.org or by calling 795-5990.