Winter walk contest

I can't believe it has been so long since my last blog. So what have I been doing, you might ask? Well, we had the winter walk contest over 4 weeks in March. There were 16 teams with a total of 61 participants. Maybe you saw a few of them walking around campus or noticed the teams' display on the student's activities bulletin board. The competition was fierce. Each team was vying for one of the coveted titles of "Team with the most steps" or "Team with the most weight lost". A celebration event was held April 5th in the theater. Many of the contestants brought a carry-in dish and I was quite impressed with the many healthy choices we had to choose from. The Easter bunny even left everyone an egg filled with fat-free jellybeans.
Although I like to tell the teams that everyone who competed is a winner, the official contest winners were as follows:
Team Happy Feet: Most steps. This team walked a total of 1,889,931 steps
Team Chilly Willies: Most weight lost. Team lost 25 pounds
Diane Arnold: Most steps by an individual
Jane Giangulio: Most weight lost by an individual
Student Tami Strohmenger won the prize for quessing the weight loss of all the teams.
Our teams weighed in at 10,673 pounds at the beginning of the contest and four weeks later, after walking a total of 7,286 miles, they weighed in at 10,560. That's 113 pounds, literally walked away! If you haven't tried this activity yet for losing weight, I highly recommend it. Even those that don't make a major change in their diet can lose a few pounds over 4 weeks of walking.
Now I have heard every excuse possible for why some people on campus don't have time to exercise. To show you I was listening, I have tried to remove some of the obstacles on your road to a more active lifestyle. Starting April 30th, there will be two exercise classes available on campus. Stop by Student Health Services to learn more.

It's hard to believe that January is over. It seems that everyone is now settled into a routine with their school schedules. Unfortunately, several viruses have also settled in and are making the rounds of students, staff and faculty. Keep in mind that the flu season is at it's peak and we can expect it to be around for the next 4-6 weeks. Stay home if you don't feel well. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.
Today was like Christmas for me. The mail brought me two packages containing an Automated Electronic Defibrillator (AED) and other supplies recently ordered for the campus. Thanks to Dick Bollenbacher, Linda Peltier, and of course Dr. Yowell for their support in bringing this life saving device to our campus. According to the American Heart Association, many lives can be saved if bystanders quickly phone 911 and begin CPR, and if trained responders provide defibrillation within minutes. As soon as some paper and policy issues are completed, the AED will be available for use. Volunteers are needed to take the CPR/AED training. You can find out more about the classes by calling Student Health Services.
Next week, registration starts for our annual walking contest. Last year, 14 teams competed for a variety of prizes in categories such as most steps taken or most weight lost. Actual total weight lost was an impressive 262 pounds and the teams walked a whopping 5,678 miles! It remains to be seen if this year's teams can top that.

Spring semester

Today is the start of Spring semester classes. While driving to work in the first snow shower of the new year, I thought about what I like about the first day of each semester. I like the eager anticipation on the faces of most of our students as they race to their classrooms. I like the hustle and bustle of people in the hallways. I love the smells of the cafeteria, open again after the long winter break. I like meeting returning students and introducing myself to new students who stop by my office to say Hi or ask a question. Each semester is like a renewal, a chance to start fresh again. Unlike New Year's day which only comes once a year, with our school schedules, we get the chance to make new resolutions 3 times a year. I am reminded of a quote by William James..."Seek the first possible opportunity to act on every good resolution you make."
So what do Edison students want to adopt for their new semester resolutions? According to my survey on Health Risk Behaviors, most of you want to learn more about stress management, fitness/exercise, and nutrition/weight management. The problem is, most of you are so busy with your school, work, and home schedule that you think adding anything else is impossible, or that you will do something about (diet, weight, exercise) after (midterms, finals, spring break, graduation). "Seek the first possible opportunity to act on every good resolution you make." I hope in the next few weeks, that students will learn how to adopt some of these resolutions into their everyday routines. Please take an opportunity to stop by my office if you have any questions regarding your health. I look forward to meeting you.

My first post

This is my first attempt at blogging. May I be successful.