In support of those with breast cancer, the survivors, and their supporters, KLJ Way kicked off their first #KLJWayChallenge in October.
Reflecting on the way Kearns prioritized a healthy lifestyle, KLJ Way encouraged the community to do the same. For each day of the week, we presented a new challenge:
#MoveYourBodyMonday: We encouraged individuals to challenge themselves by simply moving their body to promote bodily health. We kicked the challenge off with a mile walk, and ended the last Monday of the month with a 5 mile walk!
#TriviaTuesday: With a mission to support education, it was pertinent that we gave an opportunity for the community to be educators to one another and to share facts about breast cancer. The community was able to share and learn facts like:
- 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer in her lifetime
- Most women who get breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease
- Men can also get breast cancer.
- While the American Cancer Society recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week to manage risk, for some, even 30 minutes per week has been found to be beneficial
- The rate of breast cancer diagnosis are the same between black women and white women, but black women are 20-40% more likely to die from the disease. Due to the high mortality rate, black women have been placed as a high-risk group.
- There is no evidence that associates underwire bras, antiperspirants, or breast implants with breast cancer, despite some common myths
- Over 3.3 million breast cancer survivors are alive in the United States today!
#HealthIsWealthWednesday: Being healthy is 80% diet, and 20% exercise. On Wednesdays we encouraged everyone to consume the recommended daily amounts of vegetables and fruits, with the hope to build good practice for future eating habits. According to the USDA dietary guidelines, adults are recommended to eat 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, depending on age, gender, physical activity, and overall health. The community shared an array of colorful fruits and vegetables throughout the month!
#NotThirstyThursday: Earth is made up of ⅔ water, and the same applies for the human body. Water contributes to many health benefits, such as increasing brain power and providing energy, promoting healthy weight management, flushing out toxins, improving complexion and skin pigmentation, and boosting the immune system. We challenged the community to consume 8 glasses (8 oz.) of water per day, in an effort to form a healthy habit.
#FitnessFriday: With #MoveYourBodyMonday focusing on walking, we picked up the pace by adding in some running for #FitnessFriday, beginning the challenge with an 800 meter run and ending with a 2.5 mile run. We always encouraged everyone to work within their limits, but to not be afraid to turn things up a notch.
#ServiceSaturday: As the week was spent improving individual health and well-being, the weekend began with challenging individuals to make an impact in someone else’s life by providing a helping hand and doing an act of community service.
#LazySunday: On these chilly October days and nights, it is great to cozy up with a good read and a blanket. To spread knowledge, the community came together to share books we have enjoyed in the past, as well as ones that we were currently engulfed in. Book collections like the Harry Potter series to textbooks participants were reading for homework were shared within the KLJ Way Family.
On the final day, October 31, 2018, it was time to reflect on individual accomplishments from the challenge, as well as think about those we have lost to breast cancer, those who are currently fighting, and those who have overcome their battle with breast cancer. KLJ Way thanks everyone that participated in the challenge, and we look forward to coming together again for November!