ESCANABA — Sick and tired of felling sick and tired in these COVID-19 times? The Northern Lights YMCA, along with the Marquette and Menominee YMCAs, invites all in the community to participate in a free six-week STRONG Community Challenge designed to help transform spirit, mind and body. “Now, more than ever before we need to recharge and refocus,” said Northern Lights YMCA Executive Director, Gary Nash. “The COVID-19 pandemic has worn us down. It’s isolated us in so many ways. This challenge provides an opportunity to get active and healthier by yourself or as a Strong Family.” It’s a simple 6 week effort starting October 19th that involves making a pledge to move at least 20 minutes per day, Monday-Friday. It’s really that simple. It also involves a lot of social media motivational videos and will be a very fun way to launch fall activities at the Y, said Nash

Opt-in to the free challenge by searching YMCA U.P. Strong Community Challenge on Facebook or text the word STRONG to 906-205-4568. Follow the prompts to sign-up and you will receive three texts a week filled with motivation, challenges, workouts and more. You will also be able to attend the Y for one day each week to enjoy swimming, working out and a variety of classes.

Visit the website, www.nlymca.com, and learn more about the STRONG challenge and all of the free community activities.

“It’s the perfect time to take back our lives, reenergize, achieve goals, feel better and stronger, added Nash. We’ve never done anything like this before and we’d be proud if you were part of it!