Crush winter doldrums with Oak Creek 'get fit' challenge

Oak Creek - Government and local businesses have teamed up to challenge community members to lose weight and be fit.

The Mayor's Challenge, an event that has Mayor Stephen Scaffidi pledging to lose 20 pounds himself, kicked off Saturday and will run until Feb. 10.

The challenge is simple: Get fit. Anyone can accept the challenge by registering - for free - at the Oak Creek Health Department, Wheaton Franciscan Medical Group or any of the other 13 weigh-in stations.

Participants receive a blue wrist band that entitles them to discounts at certain fitness groups and restaurants.

Nearly 400 people signed up Nov. 10, the first day of registration. The goal is to get 1,000 people to pledge to get fit this winter.

"It seems that there is a willingness to participate as a community," Scaffidi said. "I think Saturday's turnout was an example of that."

Several group participation days are planned. The mayor will occasionally post workout locations on the city's Facebook page, Facebook.com/CityofOakCreek, giving people 24-hour notice so they can join in.

The first "flash fitness" workout is set for 8 a.m. Nov. 22, a Thanksgiving Day one-mile walk. The location will be announced via Facebook.

Residents can sign up individually or in teams of four. Aldermen Kenneth Gehl and Daniel Bukiewicz have joined Scaffidi's team.

There will be prizes offered based on the percentage of weight lost and amount of participation in the community events. There also will be a prize reserved for a child, although only adult weight loss will be calculated.

Terry Schuster, spokeswoman for Wheaton Franciscan's central market, said: "What is important to us is not a prize aspect, what's important is helping you maintain a healthy lifestyle. There's no better prize than feeling well."

The event was intentionally scheduled over the winter, a time when weather forces people inside and stymies physical activity.

Weigh in

Register at any of these locations.

Wheaton Franciscan Medical Group-Oak Creek

8825 S. Howell Ave., Suite 200

Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-Franklin

10101 S. 27th St.

Oak Creek Health Department

8640 S. Howell Ave.

weekdays between 8:30 and 11 a.m., or by appointment

5 Elements Health & Wellness

8652 S. Market Place

4 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays, or by appointment

(414) 418-8187

9Round Oak Creek

8907 S. Howell Ave., No. 1000

Crossfit Oak Creek

200 E. Oak St.

Curves of Franklin

7117 S. 76th St.

Curves of Oak Creek

2191 E. Rawson Ave.

Innovative Health and Fitness

8800 S. 102nd St.

between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. or 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesdays

Jazzercise Oak Creek Fitness Center

9543 S. Chicago Road

Oak Creek Fitness

1902 W. Ryan Road

Planet Fitness

6529 S. 27th St.

USA TaeKwonDo

2151 E. Rawson Ave.

Xperience Fitness

8601 S. Howell Ave.

YMCA-South Shore

3244 E. College Ave.