Get Up Go

Welcome to our News and Announcements page!
We're excited about what's happening with the Get Up & Go Campaign and we want to tell you all about it. Check here daily for the latest news, announcements and events. (Click for more about our Campaign)

Belleville Animal Clinic to Offer Free Pet Health Screenings at May 10th Get Up & Go Celebration!

Just when we thought that this celebration couldn't get any better, the Belleville Animal Clinic has stepped forward and told us they will be offering free Pet Health Screenings at the May 10th Get Up & Go Celebration. "WOW, this is incredible!" was all Bob Dahm, Principal of Belleville West High School (and co-host for this May 10th event) could say when told the news at a recent planning meeting. "This is really going to be a great day."

Lifetime fitness and total wellness is a big theme for Dahm, and a major reason that he wanted to work with the Get Up & Go campaign. We agree and we were thrilled when Dahm offered not only to share his sports field but to help make this entire celebration 'Pet Friendly'. Sometimes we forget just how important our pets are to our own health and wellbeing, both mentally and physically. For many, walking the dog twice a day is the chief source of our daily exercise. But our best friends need to stay fit too.

So, on Saturday May 10th, come to the Belleville West Campus and join in our celebration of fun, fitness and community health. Bring Fido and Fluffy, Prince and Princess. Get a free health screening for yourself and one for your best friend. Enjoy the weather, the company, the fun demonstrations and activities for everyone. Sample some food, or bring a picnic lunch and relax under the trees at the winery. Play a little fetch or frisbee, walk the trails or go on a jog. What's important is that you can do it with ALL of your friends. Check out some of the events for the day on our Celebration-Activity page, and keep checking back for more additions and updates. See you there!

Get Up & Go... to the Pool!

“The people in my water classes are serious about good health. By industry standards, most would be considered endurance athletes because most exercise with me approximately 2½ hours three time per week” boasts Leslie Bilodeau, aquatic personal trainer.
“They’re serious about fitness and they’re proving it!”
From April 21-25, Leslie’s water walking, water aerobics, and water relaxation classes exercised for participation in the Get Up & Go campaign.

Here’s what they accomplished:

22,550 crunches, 120 frogs, 2,304 cross country skis, 504 yoga triangles,
1,008 down facing dogs, 288 yoga trees, 144 yoga saws, 1,008 laps,
1,152 push-aways, 432 squats, 3,328 football marches, 1,248 jumping jacks,
832 leg scissors, 2,328 leg lifts, 1,248 toe taps, 130 minutes dribbling,
780 hoop shoots, 432 military presses, 432 upright rows, 432 front rows,
432 tricep presses, 432 side laterals, 432 front laterals, 432 pec flys, and
208 minutes of stretching. (Ouch, 22,550 crunches!)

According to Leslie, "One of the greatest things about exercising in groups is that there’s always someone to encourage you, even on days you feel less than 100%. These groups support each other physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially. They’re a very tight-knit group who are more than exercise buddies, they’re friends. We want to issue a challenge to all water classes for next year – BEAT THIS!" click here to see more pictures from Leslie's classes

Lively Lungs Group 'Walking Across Illinois'

Don't think you're in shape enough to walk? Maybe a little short of breath getting the Mail? You need to maybe take a little inspiration from the Lively Lungs Group. They are walking in the Malls. They are walking at highway rest areas. They are walking in the parks and shopping areas. They are walking on treadmills and in the YMCA. They walk when the weather is good and they walk when the weather is bad. They are walking so much that they're Walking Across Illinois. And in addition to their determination to walk, they all have one thing in common. They all have lung disease.

That's right. When you get out of breath going up the stairs, just think of taking an oxygen tank for a 2 or 3 mile walk. "I'm so proud of our Lively Lungers," said Shirley Schultz, Pulmonary Rehab Coordinator at Memorial Hospital. "They're a great group of people with one thing in common...lung disease. Many of them are on oxygen but they all have a wonderful attitude."

Attitude, and determination. As part of the Get Up & Go Challenge, these Lively Lungers are logging the miles they walk for Walk Across Illinois. So how far can they get? Well let's see, the Belleville Health Club Team has logged over 900 miles and the O'Fallon Y Team has logged well over 800 miles. (Check out some pictures of the group on our Lively Lungs slideshow.) According to Shirley. one gentleman stated " when I'm on the treadmill and I start to get tired, I just remember that we're trying to measure our miles and I walk a little bit further."

Shirley's not the only one proud of this group. Everyone in the Get Up & Go Campaign is proud, and inspired. You have to excuse us now, we need to go for a walk.

Belleville West to Host 2008 Race for Character
Bob Dahm, the Principal at Belleville West High School, wants you to discipline your mind, body and soul. That's the theme for the 2008 Race for Character to be hosted on May 10th at Belleville West. This 5k Walk/Run that will benefit the Dollars for Scholars Fund is part of Dahm's overall plan to change the way we approach physical fitness. (See pictures from the 2007 Race for Character)

At a recent planning meeting that also involved Get Up & Go, Bob brought his message home. "We're trying to move away from the traditional concept of physical education and approach a broader, overall wellness concept. This is no longer just physical fitness, but lifelong fitness. It's something that the students can carry with them beyond high school and has an effect on their quality of life forever." Belleville West's commitment to that kind of change was demonstrated when Dahm invited Get Up & Go to share the day with them and use the facilities at Belleville West for the Get Up & Go Campaign's upcoming Fitness Fair and Pep Rally.

Needless to say, the Get Up & Go Campaign was overwhelmed by the offer. Quoting Co-Director Mark Peters, "This is going to turn into a huge celebration of fitness and healthy lifestyles! The day will start off with a fabulous Walk/Run around the Belleville campus and adjoining properties and will end up right in the middle of a day long celebration of health and fitness."

The race is open to people of all ages with awards being given for the top 2 winners in each category (Male, Female - Under 12, 13-16, 17-20, 21-25, 26-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, and 61 years and older.) All registered runners will receive a T-shirt designed by the Belleville West students, and water and snacks will be provided free for all participants. For more information you can contact Ashley Cryder and (618) 222-7646 or visit www.bths201.org/west

You can download an official entry form by clicking here.

Miles of Swimming Pays Off for YOSI Seals

The YOSI Seals swim team left their mark at the St. Louis Districts Swim Meet this year. Pictured here is a group that took first in their age division. Not only did the team move up to a 4th place finish at the championship meet, but the Seals also advanced 42 swimmers to the Area State Championship in Dekalb, Ill. This success is no doubt the reward of hard work and dedication from children of all ages.

Consider this, if an 8-12 year-old YOSI swimmer comes to practice 3 times a week, he or she could swim nearly 21 miles in the month of April alone. A 13-21 year-old swimmer coming to practice 5 days a week would be able to log over 50 miles of swimming in April. Even the 5-year-old swimmers manage to put in at least 16 miles a month. Collectively, the YOSI Seals swim team swims enough miles each week to cross the state of Illinois, Twice! With distances like these it’s no wonder the team is doing so well.

Swimming is a low-impact exercise that works the whole body. These YOSI Seals experience the benefits time and time again. Sign ups are now open for the YOSI Seals Pre-Summer Warm-Up Clinic and Summer Long Course season. Whether it’s training with competitive swim team or being active at the summer pool, consider how you can incorporate swimming into your lifestyle.

The YOSI Seal swim team is part of the YMCA of Southwest Illinois and runs training and competition swimming events year round. Summer events and training are often held outside in cooperation with area Parks and Recs department pools. For more information on the YOSI Seals and their Pre-Summer Warm-Up Clinic and Summer Long Course season click here or go to their website at www.YOSISeals.org

St. Louis Blues Join Get Up & Go

The St. Louis Blues front office has confirmed that they are joining the Get Up & Go Campaign. And we are thrilled to have them! Dan Kramer confirmed yesterday that the Blues definitely want to be a part of what's going on here in St. Clair County. We'll surely have more details to follow, but the Blues have already informed the campaign that they will have representatives at the Get Up & Go Fitness Fair event on May 10th at Bellville West. Without letting too much out of the bag, Dan said "We'll probably have a Shot-on-Goal activity for the kids (and adults?) along with some autographed equipment and other things to give away. As for a player....well, stay tuned." What a great opportunity for people to find out more about what's in store for our favorite NHL Hockey Team and to get a chance to 'make a shot'. We'll be updating this story very soon!

Mark Peters, Dr. Rita Arras and Craig Virgin...Our Get Up & Go Leaders