With summer around the corner, May is the perfect time for Kentuckians to adopt a more active lifestyle.

As part of National Physical Fitness Month, Get Healthy Kentucky is encouraging all residents of the commonwealth to take the Governor's Challenge to become more physically fit - an important step in maintaining good health.

“With the warmer weather, there's more opportunity to be outdoors and be physically active,” said William Hacker, M.D., Health and Family Services' acting undersecretary for health and public health commissioner. “Get Healthy Kentucky was created to help Kentuckians make a commitment to their personal health. The Governor's Challenge is a great program to help you get in shape and headed down the path of life-long wellness.”

All it takes is 30 minutes of activity a day (60 minutes for kids ages 6-17), five days a week for six weeks. Participants who log on to the Governor's Challenge at www.gethealthy.ky.gov will be redirected to the national President's Challenge home page where they can sign up for an account and start monitoring progress via the personal activity tracker.

To register or learn more about the Governor's Challenge, visit gethealthy.ky.gov and click “Take the Challenge.”

Get Healthy Kentucky is a statewide wellness initiative that incorporates physical activity, nutrition and tobacco cessation and prevention components. GHK has created an opportunity for individuals and groups to have a one-stop, central location for information and resources that will improve the quality of life for Kentuckians and help prevent chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease.

To date, around 6,500 people have participated.

“We're thrilled by the great participation and enthusiasm we've seen for the Governor's Challenge,” said Amberlee Nickell, assistant director of Get Healthy Kentucky. “Our goal is for all Kentuckians - regardless of age or activity level - to sign up and make physical activity and good nutrition a part of their lives.”

Through the Governor's Challenge, participants will be able to choose how to become and remain physically active. GHK has provided more than 100 activities from which to choose, along with the capability to track progress on an activity log. Once the initial goal is met, there are additional levels of achievement - bronze, silver and gold.