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More than 400 Braves make commitment to stay healthy

Students feeling unmotivated to work out and eat nutritional foods may find the inspiration they need in the new Get Fit Stay Fit program.

“There were multiple individuals who wanted to have a program like this, but it did not get created due to the many other projects occurring at the Markin Family Student Recreation Center,” said Wellness Coordinator and Registered Dietitian Kimberly Kelley.

“I met with Mike Keup, Executive Director of Campus Recreation and Athletic Facilities, at the end of August and brought up the idea. My influence to have a wellness program came from my alma mater, where we had a very successful program,” she said.

The Get Fit Stay Fit program, put together by several campus organizations and departments and Eurest Dining Services, was designed to promote healthy lifestyle choices, including making responsible nutritional decisions and exercising. Participants in the program receive points for working out and attending Wellness Seminars.

“The point system is fairly simple,” Kelley said. “We did not want one activity to seem more important than another, therefore you get one point for exercise, one point for attending a presentation, one point for taste test and one point for attending Late Night BU. You can only get one point for exercising a day, so even if you exercise three times you only get one point. Exercise includes anything from strength training to walking outside.”

Once a participant’s points begin to accumulate he or she can receive prizes such as a water bottle and T-shirt. At the end of the program, each participant who reaches 50 or more points will be entered into a drawing to win fitness-related prizes such as a one year locker certificate for the Markin Center.

Participants are mainly on their own to check in and maintain their own records at the Markin Center Control Desk, where individual files for each participant are filed. There are sign in sheets at wellness seminars to prove participants attended.

Wellness seminars are a series of 30 to 40 minute presentations offered in room 38 of the Markin Center, with topics including unrealistic body images, staying motivated and managing stress. Two separate times are available for each seminar – one for students and one for faculty and staff.

“So far, we have a total of 448 people signed up for the program,” Kelley said. “The Wellness Seminars have also had a very good turn out.”

The Get Fit Stay Fit program is offered for 10 weeks, lasting until April 16. Although it has already begun, students, staff and faculty can still register in the Campus Recreation office, room 120 in the Markin Center between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

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