the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — As President Donald Trump revives the iconic Presidential Fitness Test to combat America’s obesity crisis and promote youth health, communities like Ridgewood are taking action at the local level. On September 13, 2025, the Village of Ridgewood will kick off its ambitious “1 Million Minutes of Wellness Challenge”, a 12-week initiative designed to get residents moving, connecting, and focusing on total well-being.
The challenge — part of the 2025 Mayors Wellness Campaign — introduces participants of all ages and abilities to the eight pillars of wellness:
-
Physical
-
Emotional
-
Social
-
Intellectual
-
Environmental
-
Financial
-
Occupational
-
Spiritual
From morning walks and runs, reading a book, or doing a crossword puzzle, to playing sports, gardening, taking a yoga class, or even sharing a meal with loved ones, every minute counts toward the goal of one million minutes logged.
How to Join the 1 Million Minutes of Wellness Challenge
The challenge runs September 13 through December 5, 2025, and is open to anyone who lives, works, or participates in Ridgewood programs and services.
???? Participants can easily log their wellness minutes using a Google Form provided by the Village.
Kickoff Event: September 13 at Memorial Park, Ridgewood
The community will come together on Saturday, September 13, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Memorial Park at Van Neste Square for the official launch. Events include:
-
9:00 – 9:45 AM: Stroller Strides — Moms and caregivers join a total-body conditioning workout with resistance bands and cardio movements. Led by Amy Leon, FIT4MOM Bergen, with support from The Valley Hospital’s Thrive! program.
-
10:00 – 11:00 AM: Memorial Park History Walk — Explore 300+ years of history while walking through Van Neste Square with Matt Lindenberg from the Open Space Committee.
-
11:00 – 11:45 AM: Fresh Air Flow Yoga — Outdoor yoga led by Melissa Dos Santos of Fitometry Health Club. Don’t forget your mat, water, and sunscreen!
???? Refreshing, cold-pressed juices will be provided by Toastique.
Community Partners
This wellness campaign is supported by a wide range of Ridgewood organizations, including:
Age Friendly Ridgewood, FIT4MOM Bergen, Fitometry Health Club, Health Barn, Ridgewood YMCA, Ridgewood Parks & Recreation, Ridgewood Public Library, Ridgewood Public Schools, Temple Israel, The Fitness Academy, H.I.L.T., The Valley Hospital, Toastique, and more.
Why This Matters
With obesity rates climbing nationwide and chronic disease affecting millions, Ridgewood’s initiative complements national efforts like President Trump’s revived Presidential Fitness Test, signaling a renewed focus on both youth fitness and community-wide wellness.
Together, these programs emphasize the importance of healthy habits, preventive care, and community engagement in reversing troubling health trends.
Tell your story #TheRidgewoodblog , #Indpendentnews, #information, #advertise, #guestpost, #affiliatemarketing,#NorthJersey, #NJ , #News, #localnews, #bergencounty, #sponsoredpost, #SponsoredContent, #contentplacement , #linkplacement, Email: [email protected]
Has anyone on the Village Council signed up yet?
Has President Trump signed up yet?
right after you
Im not the one who was elected to lead.
Clearly
I remember exercising to the chicken fat song in elementary school back in the 1960s. It made exercising fun.
I signed up, but I must say some of the supervisors in the village need to sign up, boy oh boy, don’t they. Come on I told him to be healthy and look at me like I’m a UFO..
you are fat. go lose some weight.
try doing something productive with your body instead of being a UFO and chowing down whatever in front of you.
Go on a natural diet, take walks, and that soft voice inside your head that’s telling you its ok, stop listening.
If you want to live a healthier longer and more fulfilling life, then do something about it.