NGU Skyliner

Rachel Ham
Staff Writer

To encourage the students, faculty and staff at North Greenville University to live healthier lifestyles, the student services department on campus has begun a weigh down challenge to kick off the spring semester.

Billy Watson, director of student services, said the idea for the program originated in the student services offices. It was then decided to take the challenge to the entire campus.

Watson said that they wanted to do something unique that would interest students, faculty, staff and their families. One of the goals of the challenge is to instill long-term goals of living healthy in those that participate.

Students Services and Aramark are working together to provide healthier options in the dining hall and to later host nutritional seminars.

Student services will be purchasing Wii Fit for students to use. They are also looking for people to volunteer to organize and coordinate various exercise groups including morning, lunchtime and afternoon walking clubs.

“There is also intramurals, and that is a great way to get involved that is a little bit competitive,” Diane Turner, coordinator for student activities, said.

Anyone is welcome to participate, whether he or she wants to lose weight or just adopt healthier lifestyle habits such as regular exercise and healthy eating. Students can get directly involved by participating in the program and setting their own personal goals.

Turner said she has personal goals of her own. Turner said she specifically wants to get into better health and to lose weight.

“The biggest thing I am changing is cutting out soda . . . watching the things that I eat and incorporating exercise every morning at the wonderful hour of 6:30 a.m.,” Turner said. She said that her competitive spirit will help her keep on track.

Watson says those who do not participate in the weigh down challenge can still help by encouraging their participating friends and fellow students to stick to their fitness routines.

“Encourage them, . . . go walk with them, exercise with them, motivate them,” Watson said. “Any support that anybody can give will be helpful.”

Many faculty and staff are already signed up to participate in the challenge. The business office workers are having an inter-office challenge to lose weight. Faculty in the bookstore, library, post office and other departments are also signed up.

There will be a total of seven weigh-ins starting Tuesday, January 26. Weigh-ins will follow almost every other Tuesday. The weigh-ins will take place in Todd Dining Hall from 7:30-9:30 p.m. and in Tuttle Clinic from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. All of the weigh-ins will be private.

The challenge will officially end on the last day of classes, April 29. The last weigh-in will take place at 9:30 p.m. during the spring exam breaker.

Turner stressed that those participating in the challenge should set realistic goals and talk to a physician before exercising if they have a preexisting medical condition.

If students have any suggestions or ideas to help make the weigh down challenge a success, they may contact student services.

Tags: Spring 2010, Vol. 110 - Issue 1

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