Seniors ‘Bring it On’ at SJMC Outreach

“It was a great friendly competition and everyone’s the winner, because everyone got healthier during this period of time. We’re thrilled and look forward to doing it again next year,” said North Olmsted Mayor Kevin Kennedy (right) with Paul Forthofer, SJMC Manager of Community Outreach.

Who Has the Best Senior Center Around? That was the question at St. John Medical Center Outreach as North Olmsted (NO Mercy) took on Westlake WOW (Walkers of Westlake) in a walking program this summer.

The 6 week challenge began with free biometric screenings from SJMC nurses. Screenings included Cholesterol, Blood Glucose, Blood Pressure, BMI and Waist Circumference. Participants received a pedometer to track their steps. Participants got to socialize with members of their team and the other senior center, warm-up with a SJMC PT Health professional, then together walk around the St. John Medical Center campus track for their health!. Prizes were awarded on Aug. 27 for different categories including most steps taken, decreases in cholesterol, BP’s, and many more!

: Team North Olmsted (NO Mercy), won the first Senior’s ‘Bring it On’ Challenge.

: Team WOW (Walkers of Westlake)

Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough and North Olmsted Mayor Kevin Kennedy were good sports and didn’t need the boxing gloves.

“Its a great competition and everyone’s a winner because everyone got healthier during this period of time,” said SJMC Outreach Coordinator Paul Forthofer. “We started this as an idea and we felt we might get 10-12 people and we got 54. So we are very excited and we will do it again next year.”

“It’s a great way to bring people together and it’s a way to bring neighboring communities together in a friendly competition to promote health and wellness and become enthused about health and wellness,” said Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough.

Participants agreed: “The whole program was a wonderful idea. I’d do it again,” said one walker.

“I enjoyed it. I lost 3 pounds, which will encourage me to keep doing this now,” said another.

“It was like a discipline in a way, where you are trying to get those steps down. I live in an apartment so I set the timer and I would walk for ten minutes three times a day,” said a third.