WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Vt. Leaders Join Fitness Challenge
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Montpelier, Vermont - December 31, 2008
Labor Commissioner Patricia Moulton Powden says she spends a lot of time sitting at her desk. But she plans to be more active in 2009.
"It's always a New Year's resolution, lose weight, get healthy, stop swearing, get more exercise," she said. "I figured this is a good motivator."
The motivator -- a new competition between the governors and cabinets of 20 states. Moulton Powden is one of about 20 Vermont officials taking part.
"I'll get started in the new year; I'll dig in every day, do my two miles," she said. "So I'm looking forward to it."
The competition is called Capitol Steps. Pedometers will measure how many steps people take during the two-week challenge.
"We've got our little pedometers," said Heidi Tringe, Vt. Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs, as she showed off the high-tech pedometers with a computer plug-in. "We hook it in and it downloads right to your computer, so there's no cheating."
Tringe stepped up to the challenge and is tracking everyone's daily progress -- both here and nationally through the other states' online updates.
"If Texas starts getting ahead of us, we can get our folks out at night, in the morning, taking the stairs every day," she said.
The goal of the contest isn't just to get state leaders in shape, but to get everyone thinking about working fitness into the new year.
"We have a real problem across America with obesity. It's fast becoming the biggest killer," said Gov. Jim Douglas, R-Vermont. "We have to be sure if we're going to contain health care costs and improve the quality of life for the people of our states that we focus on keeping people fit."
It's not just bragging rights that are on the line. The winning state gets $50,000 toward its childhood obesity program from the contest's sponsor, Virgin HealthMiles.
"I think it's exciting," Patricia Moulton Powden said. "A good opportunity, a good motivator. And Vermont will uphold its reputation as the healthiest state."
A reputation it wants to keep in 2009.
Kate Duffy - WCAX News
