Beginning today, MHealthy is launching a new six-week version of its popular Active U challenge to encourage physical activity and healthier eating habits during the fall months.
All university faculty, staff, students and retirees can sign up through Oct. 11. Similar to other Active U programs, participants can join a team or participate as an individual, track their activity minutes, and become eligible to win prizes for completing the program. A new feature to the fall program is resources encouraging healthy eating habits.
“We always get feedback from participants saying they would love a program like Active U for the summer or fall to help keep them motivated,” says Jessica Sobolewski, MHealthy physical activity coordinator. “Because physical activity and nutrition go hand-in-hand for better health, we took the physical activity program everyone knows and loves and packed in delicious recipes and tips on how eating healthier doesn’t have to be hard or unsatisfying.”
Active U Autumn features:
• Three ways to track physical activity minutes — online, using a smartphone or using any touch-tone phone
• Healthy recipes, nutrition tips, portion size charts and other nutrition resources
• Grand prize drawings for valuable prizes
• Weekly MCard discounts
Through a partnership involving MHealthy, University Health Service and Rackham Graduate School, U-M undergraduate students are eligible to participate for the first time.
“Launching Active U Autumn in September allows us to engage not only employees but also expand the program to include our 58,000 students, giving us the opportunity to motivate our entire university community to move more and eat better,” Sobolewski says.
To prepare participants for the start of Active U Autumn, MHealthy is hosting a series of free health expos, one on each campus, in September and October.
MHealthy “Tailgate” Expos include (some activities are not available at all locations):
• Live chef demonstrations
• MHealthy staff offering tips and information on nutrition, exercise, stress, ergonomics, alcohol management and tobacco treatment
• Flu shot clinic (present your U-M health insurance card to avoid paying a co-pay)
• Food samples
• Michigan Student Assembly’s Farmer’s Market (Michigan Union location only)
• Giveaways and games
• Grand prize drawings for athletic equipment and gift certificates to sporting goods stores and exercise classes
• Registration stations for Active U Autumn and Big House Big Heart Run/Walk
“These events are a fun and easy way to get all your questions answered in less than 20 minutes,” says Colleen Greene, MHealthy wellness coordinator. “In one place you can watch a live chef demo to learn about eating healthier, get a free flu shot, talk to a fitness or stress management expert, and sign up for Active U Autumn.”
For more information on the MHealthy Tailgate Expos go to www.mhealthy.umich.edu/tailgates.
Registration for Active U Autumn continues through Oct. 11 at www.mhealthy.umich.edu/autumn. Participants track their physical activity Oct. 11 through Nov. 21.
Tailgate Expo dates and locations:
• Wednesday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Dow Auditorium and University Hospital Courtyard
• Sept. 27, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., UM-Flint, Harding Mott University Center
• Sept. 29, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Pierpont Commons and North Campus Diag
• Oct. 6, 11 a.m.-2 p.m, Michigan Union
• Oct. 11, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., UM-Dearborn, University Center
