Many people are inspired to begin a new exercise program after the New Year or right before summer. To counter that thinking, MHealthy launches a new fall physical activity program for University faculty, staff, graduate students and retirees.
The MHealthy Fall Fitness Challenge is a six-week program, Sept. 23-Nov. 4, designed to get participants moving to help them maintain current body weight and measurements. It encourages exercising at least three days a week for a minimum of 30 minutes each time.
“Early fall is a great time to begin a physical activity program that will keep you motivated through the upcoming holidays and winter season,” says Colleen Greene, MHealthy wellness coordinator. “The Fall Fitness Challenge focuses on developing healthy habits and emphasizes maintaining your weight and measurements through regular exercise. Losing pounds and inches is a bonus but not the goal.”
For extra motivation, participants are asked to pay $15 to join. If all program goals are achieved at the end of the six weeks, participants will be eligible to win prizes and can choose to have the $15 fee refunded or donated to the Cancer Survivorship Program for the Comprehensive Cancer Center. Fees given by participants who do not meet program goals automatically will be donated.
Program success includes staying within 2 pounds and/or 1/2 inch or less of pre-program weight or waist circumference, logging activity minutes in the online MHealthy Tracker at least five of the six program weeks, meeting the weekly exercise goal, and completing the pre- and post-program surveys.
Participants can self-report weight and waist circumference online when registering. MHealthy also has scheduled the following sessions for those who would like a staff member to take their weight and measurements:
Sept.16: U-M-Flint, Michigan Room D, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sept. 17: U-M-Dearborn, Wellness Center, noon-2 p.m.
Sept. 18: University Hospital, 1H 203 UH, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Sept. 19: Pierpont Commons, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Sept. 22: Michigan Union, Pond Room, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Register by Sept. 23 at www.mhealthy.umich.edu.
