Senior Companions take title

Three Kootenai County senior women each logged 990 minutes, or 16.5 hours, of physical activity per week to win the team trophy in the Panhandle Health District’s second annual Moving Minutes Challenge.

The Senior Companions team included Sue Robinson, Peggy Smith and Delaine Wardell. It was one of 21 teams entered in the monthlong challenge to increase physical activity levels in North Idaho. More than 350 people in the four northern counties participated.

The individual winner was Kenneth Richey, a Bonner County community services officer, who averaged 2,318 minutes, or 38 hours, of physical activity each week during the four-week challenge.

The health district launched the Moving Minutes Challenge in 2013 to encourage residents to become active and help reduce the increasing obesity rate. This year, Kootenai Health and Heritage Health joined the effort as sponsors.

“Data from our Community Health Assessment clearly shows that obesity is a priority health issue in our region,” said Lora Whalen, PHD Director. “We are thrilled that so many chose to participate in Moving Minutes. Please don’t stop there.”

The health district is now offering the North Idaho Challenge, a community effort to promote health, wellness and healthy weight loss. Sign up at northidahochallenge.com.

The Moving Minutes Challenge is free. Participants keep track of how many minutes they’re physically active each day and report the week’s total at the end of seven days. All activity counts, from walking the dog and gardening to playing baseball and running a marathon.

For the Moving Minutes Challenge results and information, visit www.phd1.idaho.gov or PHD on Facebook, www.facebook.com/iphd1.

Colfax workout class begins

A new low-impact aerobic workout class for seniors in the Colfax area is starting at the Colfax Library on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m.

The Senior Fit & Fun classes are taught by Nancy Stanard, a longtime dance and exercise instructor and former owner of Nancy School of Dance.

The cost is $5 per class but participants can try the first class for free.

For more information, contact Nancy at (509) 288-1117 or the Whitman County Library at (509) 397-4366.