Community teams trying to step it up

How many steps does it take to win the Fittest Loser Community Challenge? The competing park district teams are going to find out. During this past week, the Community Challenge has been all about steps; with teams focused on increasing the number of steps they walk each day.

The Lollapalosers of the Warrenville Park District staff have found a new place to wrap up their weekly management meetings — the fitness center track. One of the team members, Gregg Ireland, is taking it a few steps further by walking his two-mile commute to work instead of driving. Diane Dillow, from the same team, has been counting her steps with a Fitbit, and maintains a goal of taking at least 10,000 steps each day.

Bob Johnson of Batavia's Weapons of Mass Reduction is adding additional steps to his ice fishing trips by challenging himself to walk the entire perimeter of the lake at Blackwell Forest Preserve before he begins fishing. Ice fishing might not be for everyone, but it seems to be working — he has lost more than 15 pounds since the initial weigh-in three weeks ago.

Though increased activity often leads to increased hunger, the Community Challenge teams are determined to not match their steps with calories. To combat the temptations of Fat Tuesday, Club Fit Five of Addison held a “Non-Fat Tuesday” team workout.

Several teams reported learning new ways to incorporate healthy fish options into their diet plan at the Seafood University offered by Whole Foods of Schaumburg.

Others ordered low-calorie options from the Fittest Loser menu at Biaggi's or California Pizza Kitchen at the Deer Park Town Center.

Salt Creek's teams have added a challenge to try a new vegetable every week. Last week, it was the goji berry. Though technically a fruit, it added extra vitamins and antioxidants to the Salt Creek team members' healthy salads.