I hope you have been seeing these awesome videos on Facebook of the Healthy Rowan Fitness Challenge on the YMCA song!

Dr. Jennifer Hudson of Salisbury Pediatrics and I have been working for years to get people to move in this challenging day and age where obesity and type II diabetes are “normal.”

Jennifer Burroughs and I have been doing daily videos and posts on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter since the beginning of the year to try to get people to move but most importantly putting smiles on people’s faces! We have been doing very well so far with lots of people watching our videos.

Hudson came to me and said that we could start a challenge here in Rowan County since we have success with the daily videos. So my wheels were turning and what better song to use than the YMCA song?

Some of my staff and members started the challenge this past Wednesday, challenging Salisbury Pediatrics, Carolina Women’s Health Associates, YMCA Wonders and our East and South branches to come up with something fun for this Health Rowan Challenge.

It has been awesome — check out Salisbury Pediatrics’ challenge video. It is so fun and it already has more than 3,000 views. They challenged three organizations, one of them being the N.C. Transportation Museum.

Many people already have said they are going to do the Healthy Rowan Challenge, including Lazy 5 Ranch Veterinary Services. I am all about moving and having fun. Whether you dance, walk, run, swim, take a class or dance while you are cooking dinner, let’s make our county healthier.

Today at 10 a.m. at Granite Lake Park, there is a kickoff promoting healthy activity and fitness sponsored by Rowan County Public Health. Participants will receive a free water bottle and pedometer to use during their walk. It’s on a first-come first-serve basis due to limited supplies so get there early. And maybe during your walk, video yourself singing (or playing) the YMCA song and post to Facebook and challenge your friends, family and businesses.

Let’s move for a healthier Rowan County!

Ester Marsh is health & fitness director of the JF Hurley Family YMCA who loves making people move and putting smiles on their faces!