TN: Get Up & Go Travels to Knox County, TN

On Friday, April 26, 2013, Tennessee: Get Up & Go! creator, Madison Hardy, traveled to Knox County, Tennessee with the Tennessee Obesity Taskforce (TOT). 

While there, they visited the Knoxville branch of Cherokee Health Systems, the Knox County Health Department, and the "Let's Move: Knoxville" Kick-Off event in Volunteer Park held in conjunction with Knox County Coordinated School Health's "Cardiac Kids" after-school program.

As part of the Tennessee Obesity Taskforce's push to develop positive messaging around the obesity epidemic in Tennessee and highlight the state's successful programs, we interviewed some key partners that are doing great things to promote health & wellness in Tennessee. These interviews will soon be compiled into videos that will educate the public about these programs.
First, we visited Ben Epperson with the Knox County Health Department, where he talked about their Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities programs as funded by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. 

Lonsdale Elementary School Walking School Bus Program in Action

One program that was of particular interest is the Walking School Bus program in the Lonsdale community in Knox County. Just like a regular school bus, there are specific routes and pickup times. The routes are led by a parent volunteer who walks with the students each morning. The Knox County Health Department worked with students for several months to develop the routes, create maps and other resources to make it easier for students to utilize the program effectively, and create artwork to promote the Walking School Bus program within their school. Ben says that currently 30% of the students at Lonsdale Elementary School use the Walking School Bus program, and they hope to see an increase in the next school year. 

Cherokee Health Systems' Knoxville Branch

Next, we went to Cherokee Health Systems' Knoxville branch to meet with Piranda Khatri & Jena Soporito and learn more about their "Changes for Life" program. Cherokee Health Systems is a healthcare resource for many underserved citizens in the East Tennessee region. Through a grant called Project Diabetes, CHS has implemented a wellness program to help bring down the prevalence of obesity and increase the overall health of their patients. One major reason this program has been successful is that it encourages families to work together to achieve their health & wellness goals, not just the individuals who need it the most. 

Finally, in an effort to promote the upcoming "Let's Move! Knoxville Day" event on May 4th, Coordinated School Health officials of Knox County held a preview event at Victor Ashe Park, inviting students from various after-school programs to attend as well as the media and area businesses. The students visited a multitude of booths offering things to promote good health such as low-fat yogurt & granola parfaits, pedometers, vouchers for a free Subway sandwich, window-garden starters provided by Home Depot, and so much more. There was also a time for Zumba-style dancing, as well as games and a "bounce castle" to get the children active.

Students participating in a game called "Go, Slow, or No" to demonstrate their knowledge of  healthy vs. non-healthy foods

Students engaged in Zumba-style dancing, led by CSH Knox County  Health Specialist, Aneisa McDonald

Students participating in a yoga session, sponsored by a local yoga studio

Students taking advantage of the bounce house and obstacle course

Many parents were in attendance at this event as well, and it was very encouraging to learn about how their children have benefited from programs such as "Cardiac Kids" and events put on by Let's Move! Knoxville. One said that her child had encouraged the whole family to take walks after their evening meal together. Another said that these programs had encouraged her son to be more open to trying new and different types of food, including fresh produce. 

All in all, it was an extremely successful day in Knoxville with the Tennessee Obesity Taskforce. We are currently compiling all the footage we took into a few videos to share on www.eatwellplaymoretn.org and TOT's Facebook page.
To learn more about Cherokee Health Systems, visit http://www.cherokeehealth.com/

To learn more about Knox County Health Department, visit http://www.knoxcounty.org/health/
To learn more about Let's Move! Knoxville, visit their Facebook page

To learn more about Coordinated School Health, visit http://state.tn.us/education/schoolhealth/

To learn more about the Tennessee Obesity Taskforce (TOT) and Eat Well Play More TN, visit http://www.eatwellplaymoretn.org/

YMCA Mule Kick 5K & Family Fun Run

On Saturday, April 6th, the YMCA of Maury County hosted a 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run in conjunction with Columbia, Tennessee's annual "Mule Day" Festival. "Tennessee: Get Up & Go!" creator, Madison Hardy, volunteered at the event, helping with setup, registration, post-race snack preparation, and a host of other tasks in an effort to help this event run as smoothly as possible.

Over 600 runners entered the 5K and Family Fun Run, with the winner finishing with a time of 17:29.

Madison encountered many inspirational people at this event. One team, made up of over a hundred people in every age category, had implemented a training program at their church. Through their training and participation in the race, they raised over $1,000 for a local needy family. It was most of their first time participating in a running race.

Two of the eldest competitors, Phyllis & Margaret, at ages 70 and 76, respectively, finished 1st & 2nd in their age group. These women are an inspiration to many in the area, and Margaret will be running in Nashville's Country Music Marathon at the end of this month.

There were hundreds of children in attendance at this event, most of which were very excited to participate in their respective races. The children not racing were there in support of family & friends.

The Mule Kick 5K & Family Fun Run was an extremely successful event, bringing together people of all ages to be active & have fun.

For more information about the YMCA of Middle Tennessee and the YMCA Race Series, click here.

Let's Move Meetup - Easter Egg Hunt

On Saturday, March 30th 2013, Tennessee: Get Up & Go! hosted a Let's Move Meetup Easter Egg Hunt at Woodmont Park in Nashville, Tennessee. Despite the chilly weather, many families came out to take part in what was a healthier option for their children during the Easter season.

Tennessee: Get Up & Go! Founder, Madison Hardy, had the idea for a healthier Easter Egg Hunt when reminiscing on her childhood days about how the big prize was often a large chocolate-filled Easter bunny. In a nation where one-third of children are overweight or obese, Madison sought to promote the idea that holiday activities don't have to revolve around mounds of candy. 

With that in mind, she filled over 50 plastic eggs with non-edible treats such as erasers, hair clips, play coins, silly putty, bubbles, stickers, and so much more. 

The children were all so excited to discover what treasures were hidden within each egg, and the parents were thrilled with the fact that the eggs were not filled with candy and that it was something their children could enjoy for an extended period of time. Madison & Tennessee: Get Up & Go! hope to make this an annual event.

St. Patrick's Day 5K in Nashville

On Sunday, March 17th, Tennessee: Get Up & Go! creator, Madison Hardy, volunteered as a race facilitator for the St. Patrick's Day 5K/10K in Nashville.

Madison with a supporter prior to the race

The race, managed by iRunForTheParty Race Management, was a great success, bringing out over 1,000 runners to compete in both 5K and 10K distances.

Madison teamed up with Team in Training (TN) at a water station to give water to thirsty runners on the course at the 2.0 mile and 5.6 mile points.

Madison with Team in Training

It was a great inspiration to see racers, young and old, running their hearts out on such a festive day. For more information on Sunday's race, and future races in the Nashville area, check out www.irunfortheparty.com

For more information on Team in Training, visit www.teamintraining.org/tn

Tennessee Obesity Taskforce & American Heart Association "Day on the Hill"

On Wednesday, March 13th, the Tennessee Obesity Taskforce and the American Heart Association of Tennessee teamed up for a "Day on the Hill." Advocates and members of both organizations converged on the Legislative Plaza in Tennessee's state capitol to lobby for increased legislation that will help alleviate the obesity epidemic in Tennessee.

Throughout the day's events, Tennessee Obesity Taskforce and American Heart Association members advocated for greater governmental support of the following:

1. Coordinated School Health
• Program that encourages healthy lifestyles, helps reduce the prevalence of health problems, supports at-risk students, and increases academic excellence for Tennessee students
• Has been recognized by the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) as a national model of excellence
2. Food Deserts
• Nearly one million Tennesseans live in communities with little or no access to fresh, healthy foods
• Funding needed to reduce the size of these areas, while creating jobs and revenue for these communities
3. Community Gardens
• Students who receive nutrition education along with a garden experience increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables
• Gardens enhance community access to fresh fruit and vegetables in food deserts
4. Physical Activity/Physical Education
• One-third of Tennessee students are overweight or obese
• School-based physical activity can improve grades, standardized test scores, cognitive skills, concentration, and attention
• Policy changes needed to increase opportunities for physical activity and enhanced physical education in all school systems

One of the day's highlights included a walk through downtown Nashville, demonstrating the challenges that urban dwellers face when trying to find fresh food options. This became known as a "food desert walk" and was led by Representative Craig Fitzhugh.

Advocates had one-on-one meetings with their Senators and Representatives and attended meetings of the Senate Committee on Governmental Operations, the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, and the House Health Committee.

TN: Get Up & Go! creator Madison Hardy with Senator Thelma Harper & Mountain Lakes' OT, Alex Wallace

Tennessee: Get Up & Go! creator, Madison Hardy, had the opportunity to address one of the committee meetings, giving a brief explanation of the initiative and who she was representing that day.

Attendees also passed out heart-healthy lunches to the offices of Tennessee Senators, while advocating for legislation supporting greater access to fresh foods for all Tennesseans.

Let's Move! Meetup - Percy Warner Hike (Nashville, TN)

On Sunday, March 10th, Tennessee: Get Up & Go! hosted a Let's Move! Meetup event at Percy Warner Park in Nashville, TN. The event brought out people of all ages and walks of life to enjoy the great outdoors by hiking one of the park's beautiful trails.

More about Let's Move! and Let's Move! Meetups:

Let’s Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. Combining comprehensive strategies with common sense, Let’s Move! is about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years. Giving parents helpful information and fostering environments that support healthy choices. Providing healthier foods in our schools. Ensuring that every family has access to healthy, affordable food. And, helping children become more physically active. Let's Move! Meetups spark face-to-face meetings and activities to find local solutions.

Nashville B-Cycle BikeShare Program

I first learned about the Nashville B-Cycle Program when my employer brought General Manager Keith Rawls in one day to discuss the program with us and show off one of the bikes. These things look like something out of a Charlie Brown cartoon!

All joking aside, the Nashville B-Cycle Program truly is a great asset to the Nashville community. Currently, there are 20 kiosks within metro Nashville and a network of 190 brand-new and continually maintenanced candy-apple red bicycles. Memberships are affordable, with daily, weekly, monthly, or annual rates, and riding is free for the first hour of a checked out bike.  For more information and to sign up, visit any kiosk or check out nashville.bcycle.com.

Nashville B-Cycle Kiosk Location Map

The best part about this is, with so many kiosks in a relatively small area, you can check out a bike at location A, 30 minutes later check it in at location B, check out a different bike at B and after 47 minutes check it in at location C, etc. and you'll never get charged a penny for time overages. This is a bike SHARE program, not a rental program.


Spring Kick-Off Event

On March 8, 2013, Nashville B-Cycle held a Spring Kick-Off event, with Mayor Karl Dean presiding.

Mayor Karl Dean at the Nashville B-Cycle Spring Kickoff Event

It was awesome to see so many enthusiastic Nashvillians out supporting such a great new program.

After talking with other guests and organizers of the event, I purchased my annual membership at a nice discount (love the savings!) just in time for the warmer weather...

My friend Elisabeth Oliphint, Miss Music City 2013, joined me for this event, and we had a great time meeting and talking with fellow enthusiasts and riding up and down the streets of downtown Nashville...

Trying It Out - Centennial Park to Hillsboro Village

On Saturday, March 9, 2013 I decided to try out my brand-new Nashville B-Cycle membership and take a spin around Centennial Park. The check-out process was almost effortless, and in a matter of seconds, I was up and going. It was a fabulously gorgeous day, so of course I knew an hour of riding would not be enough to whet my appetite, so after about 55 minutes, I checked in my original bike at the 21st Ave & Wedgewood location, had some coffee and a snack at Fido, and then checked out a different one (at the same kiosk) and rode it back over to the kiosk at Centennial Park. Boom! No extra fees.

Here's a quick little video montage of our adventures:
http://vine.co/v/bwJXdhaT1tD