Mayor’s Fitness Council Launches Weight Loss Challenge Competition to promote Health Wellness
By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2015, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
The Eagle Pass Mayor’s Fitness Council officially kicked of their mission to promote better health wellness in our community on Monday, March 2, 2015, launching the first project of many to come being called the Mayor’s Fitness Council Weight Loss Challenge competition.
Under this mantra of health wellness, C.C. Winn High School staff members accepted the Mayor’s Fitness Council Weight Loss Challenge and met on Monday to begin weigh-ins for the weight loss competition.
Eagle Pass High School staff members will also be participating in the Mayor’s Fitness Council Weight Loss Challenge competition.
This weight loss challenge will last two months and will name an overall “biggest loser” winner, who will be taking home a $500.00 prize.
The Mayor’s Fitness Council Weight Loss Challenge is being sponsored by Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center.
The school staff that loses the most weight overall will take an additional health grant to promote better health and wellness at their respective school campus. A winning banner will also be placed at their school and their school flag will fly over Eagle Pass City Hall for a week.
The Eagle Pass City Council established the Mayor’s Fitness Council on July 15, 2014 by approving a resolution appointing members to the Mayor’s Fitness Council. Mayor Ramsey English Cantu stated: “This is in conjoined efforts with The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) through their Border Regional efforts, ultimately trying to combat obesity issues with young children and how we can promote healthier lifestyles in our community. There is funding available for the city to run such programs.” The City of Eagle Pass was awarded a $6,000 grant by DSHS to operate an obesity prevention and wellness program within the community.
The Mayors Fitness Council held its first official meeting and the swearing-in of members and the election of officers on Friday, February 6, 2015, at City Council Chambers in Eagle Pass, Texas, ushering a new era of health, fitness, and wellness in the community.
Sworn-in as new members of the Mayor’s Fitness Council are Maverick County Hospital District Chief Executive Officer Terri Contreras-Patlan, Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center Public Relations Director Lourdes Munoz- Perez, Registered Nurse Sonia Tovar, Pharmacist Hilda Martinez, Dr. Hector Alvarez, Robert Velasquez, Lety Villanueva, Patty Rodriguez, Gerry Galvan, City Manager Gloria Barrientos, City Parks & Recreation Department Assistant Director Rosie Aguirre, Zumba instructor and healthier living advocate Lisa Cain, Roberto Gelacio, Blanca Doig, Elvia Ledezma, and Rosie De Los Santos.
Elected as Chairperson of the Mayor’s Fitness Council was Lourdes M. Perez, First Vice-President was Rosie Aguirre, and Second Vice-President was Dr. Hector Alvarez.
The City of Eagle Pass will coordinate this obesity prevention and wellness program with the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, local health care providers, and fitness centers, as well as the City of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico.
The Eagle Pass City Council is a strong advocate for preventing childhood obesity and promoting fitness and wellness within the community.
The Mayor’s Fitness Council will develop and implement childhood and adult obesity prevention programs, physical exercise programs and activities, healthier eating programs, and wellness programs for the community in the immediate future.
“Let’s get healthy, get fit and get moving Eagle Pass,” said Mayor Cantu.
