Warren, Mi. – Denny Strecker, owner of Karate and Fitness Center, challenges local area employers to a friendly competition to promote and support weight loss, improved nutrition and increased physical activity for adult employees.

“I propose to select five adults who have recently joined one of our adult martial arts classes to compete against five randomly-selected adults from a local business, and conduct a 90-day weight loss contest,” said Strecker. “The losing team will buy dinner—a weight-conscious dinner—for the winners at a local restaurant of their choice.”

As a local business and one that promotes healthy physical activity, excellent nutritional choices and stress-reduction strategies, Karate and Fitness Center wants to use this opportunity to focus local adults’ attention on the need to develop a healthier lifestyle, Strecker added.

According to Strecker, the statistical evidence reveals the seriousness of the issue and what drives Karate and Fitness Center to issue this challenge.

Many people live sedentary lives; in fact, 40% of adults in the United States do not participate in any leisure-time physical activity. Less than a third of adults engage in the recommended amounts of physical activity (at least 30 minutes most days). Approximately 300,000 deaths each year in the United States may be attributable to obesity; and, often from heart disease, certain types of cancer, type 2 diabetes and stroke. Obesity is also associated with arthritis, breathing problems and psychological disorders, such as depression. [Courtesy of the U.S. Surgeon General’s Web site: surgeongeneral.gov.]

“I want this challenge to be an example and lesson to employers and adults throughout our community that the benefits of physical activity, weight loss and better nutrition extend to lower health insurance rates, less days absent from work, greater energy that translates into greater productivity and many others that have a direct effect on individual’s lives, the workplace and employer-employee relations,” said Strecker.

“I invite any local employer to contact me at (586) 573-3881 to accept our challenge. We’ll total the weight of both teams of five participants and then weigh them 90 days later to determine a winner.” There is also information on our web site at www.WarrenKarate.com.

As a member of NAPMA, Karate and Fitness Center promotes and strives for the highest standards of age-appropriate curriculum, leadership training, child safety and security, business integrity and professional ethics.


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