Small Steps Toward Achieving 'Healthy' New Year's Resolutions

The most popular New Year's resolutions are centered around weight loss. Many Americans pledge to lose the weight they have gained over the holiday season, and college students are no exception. But how do we find time to fit exercising into our hectic schedules? St. Norbert College not only offers a variety of sites on campus, but also provides a few programs that can help students, faculty and staff to reach their 2010 goals.During these cold winter months, it is helpful to consider the many indoor options SNC offers. Students and staff are welcome to utilize the treadmills, elliptical machines, steppers, stationary bikes and free weights in the Campus Center Recreation room. If you prefer aerobics classes, the Campus Center also offers a series of wellness programs throughout the semester. Kickboxing on Thursdays from 7-8 p.m. as well as Aikido (a Japanese martial art) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-5 p.m.

In addition to these great resources that are always available, SNC sponsors a few programs throughout this semester that assist students and faculty in their goals to stay fit. One program is the Weight Watchers at Work Program. The series is a total of 15 weeks and this semester is the second series of the year. As of now, there are 16 members from all over campus who meet once a week, a few of which are very close to meeting their weight goals.

Chris Bettcher, assistant director of alumni and parent relations said, "The number one reason to do the Weight Watchers at Work program is the support I receive from the rest of the group. We help each other in many different ways. We share recipes, tips, disappointments and successes. It is proven that Weekly Weight Watchers meetings provide members with that essential support, as well as the information and tools needed to achieve their goal. I also like the convenience of having it on campus over the lunch hour. I mark it on my calendar and have no excuse not to be there."

To sign up for the Weight Watchers at Work Program, contact christina.betcher@snc.edu or call X3021. Although the 15-week series has already started, they encourage people to join at any time.

Another option you may want to consider is the Step It Up Program sponsored by the Health and Wellness Center and the T.R.I.P.S. program. All students, faculty and staff are invited to participate by forming a group of five members. Each member of the team is encouraged to walk approximately 9,800 steps a day (estimating that 2,000 steps equals one mile). The 2010 program begins on February 15th and continues for seven weeks. The "virtual trek" will take teams through six cities in the United States and during the final week, they will be exploring the island of St. Lucia. This "trek" coincides with the T.R.I.P.S. program that sends students all over the United States and St. Lucia for weeks of service.

The Step It Up Program is a great way to promote good health, increase daily activity level, build teamwork, learn about the cities, culture, people and the work being done through the TRIPS program to "be the change" within the United States and throughout the world, and increase awareness of community and global needs.

Go to www.snc.edu/health/programs/walking for more information about the program and to read about success stories that attest to the great achievements possible through this program. Past participants rave, "this program helped me lose weight, lower blood pressure and incorporate exercise into my life year round," and, "It's fun to do something beneficial with friends and it's interesting to see how far I walk each day."

Registration for the Step It Up Program costs $3.00 for students and $4.00 for staff members. This cost covers the pedometer (counts steps you walk daily), a pocket logbook to track your steps, a walking identifier bracelet and an end-of-program celebration. Teams can register online at http://www.snc.edu/health/programs/walking/registration.html or in Health and Wellness Services in the Garden level of Main Hall.

There are several great ways to stay healthy despite the cold weather. SNC not only offers facilities in the Campus Center and Schuldes, but also provides programs that help you lose weight and stay in shape in a fun environment.