Haley Hopkins

The ACE Congressional Fitness Challenge provides our nation’s leaders the opportunity to set a healthy example for their communities and constituents through a friendly steps competition. The concept of the six-week challenge is simple: get moving as much as possible.

Wellness programs, whether they are worksite-based or in the community, are only as successful as their leaders and champions. Here are some tips on identifying effective wellness champions for your fitness and wellness programs.

Social media gives you a platform from which to share the messages your business feels strongly about with a larger audience. The backbone of advocacy is finding tactics to get your cause, message or policy position heard. Social media platforms give you a voice that can reach thousands of people—including audiences with which you may not have previously interacted—within a matter of seconds.

It is nearly impossible to find a one-size-fits-all solution to solving the childhood obesity epidemic, but PHIT is one brick in the road to a solution. We can all agree that it is vital to invest in more initiatives that support getting kids active, which is a reason why this bill has had bipartisan support during a time where partisanship is high.

Our mission here at ACE is to get people moving. It is widely known that exercise and regular movement can help maintain and improve physical health by controlling weight, increasing strength and building solid, durable bones. Those health benefits may seem obvious, but did you know that regular physical activity can also improve sleep and reduce tiredness, relieve stress, improve mood and boost energy levels?

Performing outdoor workouts has even been shown to increase satisfaction with fitness programs, which has the potential to boost both your business and your clients’ fitness levels. With so many perks to outdoor workouts, you don’t want to miss out on taking your training sessions to a park, beach, trail or sidewalk. Just remember to keep in mind that heading outdoors to train clients can bring some unique challenges.

I left the event on a high note, feeling like our voices were heard and we were one step closer to our goal. Standing up for what you believe in and using your voice as your medium is what being an advocate is all about.

For the first time since 2014, ACE has developed a new key policy position statement—The Inactivity Epidemic. Why did ACE decide to add another key issue to its advocacy efforts? Because we’re committed to monitoring and addressing current health trends, research and policies to ensure we’re focusing on the most current issues impacting the health and fitness industries.

In our fast-paced, technology-driven culture, it’s easy to get through an entire day without moving our bodies in any significant way. But our bodies were built to move and they work best when we keep them continually active. Leading a highly sedentary lifestyle can have substantial negative health consequences, like the proliferation of preventable chronic diseases we’re seeing today in America and beyond.

What are three of the most important factors driving wellness in a community? According to Facebook, it's family, friends and health—listed as the top three things users were thankful for in 2014. 'Tis the season to reflect on the past and start mapping out our goals for a healthy year to come.