Driven to action, perhaps, by the gravy boat, the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce is inaugurating Fitness Week to dovetail with the end of Restaurant Week.
The chamber bills the event as “an opportunity to learn about and set new health and wellness goals for yourself and a chance for participating businesses to help you achieve them.”
Ten companies and the town’s farmers market had signed up for the Oct. 19 to Oct. 25 initiative as of press time.
The chamber said free and discounted classes and memberships as well as a fairs, seminars and public exercise sessions will be the heart of the event.
“Last year, I ate at 20 restaurants during Restaurant Week and gained six pounds, it dawned on me that I might need some exercise to offset my indulgence,“ WWCC Executive Director Matthew Mandell said. “So I came up with the idea of Fitness Week to piggyback one event to the other. It was a simple concept that caught on and I hope it will become an annual event.”
This year’s Restaurant Week features more than 30 establishments and runs Oct. 4 to Oct. 18.
A fitness fair and seminar kick off at the Westport Library on Monday, Oct. 19, 7 to 9 p.m.
All participating businesses will be in attendance to showcase their products, services and special offers for the week.
Presentations will be made by Tom George, owner of Westport Physical Therapy; Dr. Deborah Mogelof, physician at Westport Urgent Care; and Alexei Bachuretz, director of health and wellness at the Westport-Weston Family YMCA.
“At all stages in our lives, our physical and mental health is dependent on exercise and fitness,” Mogelof said.
On Oct. 21 at noon, Sue Gold, director of the Westport Historical Society, will run two free 30 minute classes in Qi Gong ”” described by the chamber as “an age-old practice””” on the lawn of the society’s building. All interested persons are welcome. Since these classes will be held across the street from Town Hall, the chamber is specifically inviting town employees to attend during lunch.
The Westport Farmers Market, held Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Imperial Avenue parking facility, is on board as a centralized venue for Oct 22.
The center of the market will be filled by participating businesses offering demonstrations and free opportunities to try equipment, analyze muscle mass and flexibility, learn ways to stay fit and more.
“We ”” the WFM ”” are thrilled to partner with the chamber and local businesses to celebrate wellness. We look forward to sharing this unique Thursday market with our community,” Lori Cochran, WFM executive director, said.
For more information and a full list of participating businesses, what they will be offering and a schedule, visit westportwestonchamber.com/fitnessweek.
