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Thursday, April 18, 2024
The Fit City Challenge is over, and Team Southlake takes home the gold!
Congratulations Southlake! We asked for the prize this year, and you delivered! Over the last six weeks, you prioritized building healthy habits while helping Team Southlake cross the finish line! We challenged you to incorporate 45 minutes of activity over 45 days, and Team Southlake went above and beyond! We are overwhelmed by the high engagement and commitment shown by this team. We are Southlake proud, and it shows!
Thank you to everyone who participated in this challenge to help us take home first place! We don’t like to toot our own horn, but here’s how Team Southlake outpaced our competition:
Every minute counted, and determination was critical to success. Your hard work, sweat, tears, and dedication have finally paid off! We hope you continue to incorporate these healthy habits into your daily routine. Achieving 45 minutes of daily physical activity is a great way to improve your physical and mental wellness. We may have earned bragging rights for the rest of the year, but continue staying active to be ready to keep our title for the 2024 Fit City Challenge!
Team Southlake won the overall challenge, but this outstanding individual represents the best of Team Southlake! Congratulations to Jamie Wooldridge! Jamie earned the most points out of everyone on Team Southlake with an outstanding 1,528.5 total points and 807.96 kilometers!
Congratulations to all participants in the Fit City Challenge in Southlake, Keller, and Colleyville! Thank you for showing up for yourself and your community. We can’t wait to do it again next year!
Champions Club members are champions through and through! There is nothing our staff loves more than cheering on our members as they crush goals and reach new heights.
Over the holidays, two incredible members reached out to share how belonging to Champions Club impacted their lives in 2021! Hearing their stories of dedication and resilience motivates us to continue providing our members with world-class experiences.
Here’s what our members had to say!
Lourie Houghland:
“I was casually walking across the grass in my front yard when I tripped on an unseen object and suddenly fell to the ground. I landed with my face in the grass and on my forearms, somewhat like Pete Rose sliding into home plate. I sustained NO injury at all, and I can attribute that to staying in shape by exercising at The Marq six days per week! Being flexible and strong is so important—especially as we age! I enjoy water aerobics, lifting weights, and cardio along with the fellowship of other Marq members who provide great encouragement.”
John Loyd and daughter Celia Loyd:
“Celia Loyd, age 12, and her Dad, John Loyd, completed the Honolulu marathon on December 12. Celia finished the 26.2-mile marathon distance in 5 hours, 27 minutes! We trained A LOT at The Marq! We used the pool to swim laps, the sauna to prepare for the Honolulu heat and humidity, and the track/treadmill(s) for running. The Marq helped us to be prepared and to get across the finish line!”
Way to go, Lourie, John, and Celia! We are so proud of your accomplishments and are happy to be a part of your wellness journey.
If you are looking for a world-class recreation facility to kickstart your fitness journey, then consider joining our Champions Club family. Join by January 31 and get ten free guest passes! Learn more here.
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. We want to emphasize the small habits you can build daily to maintain your mental health.
Life can get stressful, and with the everyday hustle and bustle, it’s easy to put our mental well-being on the back burner. In honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to highlight some steps you can implement to take care of your mental health this month and beyond. Taking a walk outside is an easy habit you can incorporate into your routine to improve your mental health. With an estimated 1,200 acres of dedicated parkland and over 6 miles of trails, the possibilities for walking in Southlake are endless!
While there are many benefits of walking outdoors, the biggest ones go beyond the advantages of being physically active. Your brain benefits tremendously from outdoor hikes and excursions. For example, just getting a few minutes of fresh air a day helps improve brain function and concentration. For those of us who spend most of our time indoors, this is especially important. Not only does walking outdoors increase productivity, but exposure to Vitamin D is also crucial for healthy brain activity. Of course, one of the best benefits of walking outside is that it’s fun! Getting fresh air and taking in the sounds of nature is a great way to take a break and reduce stress.
The Parks division has made it easy to incorporate this habit into your mental health routine. Our parks and trail system has the perfect walking path for everyone. Bicentennial Park and Bob Jones Park are crowd favorites due to their beautiful trails and recreational opportunities; however, there are many hidden gems throughout the city.
Check out the southwest side of town by walking around the pond at Chesapeake Park. If nature trails are more your thing, you can always hike at the Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve or explore the wetland areas of Gateway Lakes Park. For a more urban feel, combine your next shopping spree with a stroll along the paths of Family Park in Southlake Town Square.
Whatever your preference may be, there is a walking path in Southlake for you. Commit to taking time for your mental health by walking outside for at least 10 minutes every day! Get a comprehensive list of our parks and facilities here.