Join us this year for the 2017 Eat Smart, Move More: Maintain, Don’t Gain Holiday Challenge! This year the Sampson County Extension Office will be offering this program along with weekly tips, motivation, and incentives. This holiday season, the only thing that should be “stuffed” is the turkey. Many Americans gain between 1 and 5 pounds each holiday season. While it might not sound like much, most people never manage to lose those extra pounds. So join us for this free seven-week challenge to help maintain your weight throughout the holiday season.

There are two options for joining the Holiday Challenge in Sampson County. You may join from home by going to https://esmmweighless.com/sign. Here you will be asked to register and enter your information. Make sure you register under Sampson County. This will show us how many participants we had in the whole county. You will receive weekly newsletters, recipes, tips and more to your email.

Another option to join is through the Sampson County Extension Office. Each week we will have a weigh-in at the Sampson County Extension Office. Upon weighing in, you will receive an incentive along with a weekly newsletter, tips, and recipes. This challenge is not about losing weight, but simply avoiding the holiday weight gain. This is a nation-wide challenge, so let’s show, not only how dedicated North Carolina is, but Sampson County!

The program begins Monday, Nov. 13 and goes until Dec, 31. See the schedule below for weigh-in dates and other events that will be offered:

Weigh-ins: Every Monday, beginning Nov. 13 with the exception of Christmas holiday. Weigh-ins will be from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Sampson County Extension Office, 55 Agriculture Place, Clinton. Our last weigh-in will be Friday, Dec. 29.

Physical Activity: Wednesday, Nov. 22, “Let’s Walk!” Burn off extra calories before Thanksgiving Day! Wear sneakers, and a light jacket for a short, brisk walk around the park from 5 – 5:30 p.m. This will take place at Royal Lane Park and we will meet at the track, 303 Royal Lane, Clinton.

More opportunities for exercise during the challenge will be announced at a later date, so please keep track on our website or by calling the Sampson County Extension Office.

Sydney Johnson
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_Johnson-1.jpgSydney Johnson

By Sydney Johnson

Contributing columnist

Sydney Johnson is an Area Family & Consumer Sciences Extension agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. She can be reached by calling the Sampson County Center at 910-592-7161 or by e-mail: [email protected]