Mayor Cocchiola Congratulates the 2011 Mayor's Wellness Challenge Participants

Nutley, New Jersey – The 2011 Mayor’s Wellness Challenge (MWC) concluded last week after 16-weeks of bi-monthly weigh-ins, educational lectures, exercise classes, nutritional assessments, health screenings, support groups and 5k training.  In its third year, the challenge attracted close to 500 participants made up of community members and BOE & Township Employees.   Over 180 challengers successfully completed the program, all with official weigh-ins on the kick off and finale dates, losing a combined total of 1,900 lbs.

“Each year I am just amazed by our challengers and their level of commitment,” commented Mayor Joanne Cocchiola.  “So many of them have embraced a healthy lifestyle, made long-lasting friendships and have learned valuable lessons that they can share with others,” the Mayor added.  Participating challengers had their cholesterol levels tracked, as well as their body fat percentage recorded.  One challenger lost 21.1% body fat and over 27 pounds.  Many other challengers reported a decrease in cholesterol and blood pressure readings and the reduction of medications to control those numbers.

This year’s MWC Finale Celebration was held at Starlight Dance Center, who also was one of the Challenge’s sponsors.  Door prizes were awarded along with special recognition prizes to challengers that were voted as most inspiring and/or motivational to other challengers.  All Challengers who had a 100% perfect weigh-in attendance were also acknowledged and received water bottles donated by Montclair State University’s Campus Recreation.  Top awards went to Maria Hamlin for losing 18.223% of her total body weight; the team The Pound Pushers for losing a combined total of 9.284% of their total body weight and individual Kathi Dragos for losing the most total pounds – 42.6lbs!  Here are some other amazing transformations:

Complete results can be found on the Mayor's Wellness Challenge page of the township website at www.nutleynj.org.

“Our Finale Celebration was a really happy occasion, with a room full of challengers and their supporters,” noted Mayor Cocchiola.  “And, our sponsors were on hand to congratulate those who had worked so hard.”  The Mayor went on to add that the program could not have been such a huge success without the support of such generous sponsors.  Sponsors were out in force, with representatives in attendance from Mountainside Hospital; Starlight Dance Center; Signature Fitness; Montclair State University Campus Recreation and the student run Dietetics Organization; Fleet Feet Sports of Montclair; Curves for Women of Nutley; Krank; Absolute Rehab; Dr. Leat Kuzniar, ND; and, Marsha Rosa – Clinical Dietitian.  Local DJ’s from Mystical Entertainment generously donated their time and talent by MCing for the evening.  Supporters not in attendance were representatives from Nutley Park ShopRite, Cabot Vermont, Roche, Nutley Chamber of Commerce 5k, Nutley Board of Education, Focus Physical Therapy, Salon Si, Zen with an Edge and Xcel Fitness.

Mayor Cocchiola and the Township of Nutley have made great strides in the arena of health and wellness, with the Challenge anchoring the list of programs that include public health screenings, the dance for health program, walk to school Wednesdays and the Mayor’s Fitness Challenge. 

Awarded last year for these efforts by being named a New Jersey Healthy Town – only one of eight towns in New Jersey to have that honor, at this year's Finale Celebration the Mayor announced that the township was awarded a $15,000 Shaping NJ Grant to combat childhood obesity.  The initiative, Nutley Fit Kids, will target Nutley children in grades K through 12 and will include bicycle racks, mile markers throughout park system, educational programs, group exercise activities, and a district-wide healthy recipe contest to name a few.  Plans to develop these programs are underway.  The Board of Education and the Mayor are collaborative partners on the initiative, and many of the MWC sponsors have already pledged their participation and support.

This year's MWC Maintenance Program for alumni will include weekly weigh-ins, Team Nutley run/walk club, lectures and scheduled exercise classes.  Also, all residents – young and old – are invited to join Team Nutley.  The club meets every Saturday at 8am at the Carmen Orechio Sports Complex (near the bocce ball court) in Boy’s Park.  Registration for the 2012 Mayor’s Wellness Challenge will begin in December.  For more information about the Mayor’s Wellness Challenge program, including photos from our Finale Celebration, and other wellness initiatives, please visit the Township website at www.nutleynj.org.