New Year’s resolutions: The Penn State way

 

At Penn State, resources abound to help resolutions stick Chris Koleno December 16, 2014 It’s almost that time of year again when individuals vow to turn over a new leaf and shed old habits -- and sometimes some pounds. We call these pseudo-promises New Year’s resolutions, and many focus on embracing new routines to improve our health and well-being. The good news is that resources abound in the Penn State community to help faculty, staff and students stick with these New Year’s resolutions. Fitness facilities, healthy eating options, programs to help shed bad habits and even in-house experts on diets are available. “Be realistic about diets, try to think about what you can sustain because continuing to disappoint yourself is not good at all.” --Barbara J. Rolls, professor and the Helen A. Guthrie Chair of Nutritional Sciences in the College of Health and Human Development at Penn State “Be realistic about diets, try to think about what you can sustain because continuing to disappoint yourself is not good at all,” said Barbara J. Rolls, professor and the Helen A. Guthrie Chair of Nutritional Sciences in the College of Health and Human Development at Penn State. "If you do decide you want to lose weight, choose something you can do consistently, because research shows that doing something regularly -- not giving yourself weekends off -- is what tends to work best. So opt for an approach that's sustainable, consistent and perhaps not too ambitious, because you really want to succeed." Rolls has written three books based on her decades of research on diet and nutrition, which shows that lowering the calorie density of food can help people feel full while eating fewer calories. Her latest book, “The Ultimate Volumetrics Diet,” offers tips for incorporating fruits and vegetables into recipes without sacrificing taste. The book continues to be among the best diet books according to U.S. News & World Report’s rankings -- only Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers and government-sponsored type diets rank higher. The healthy eating that Rolls advocates is easy to find on campus. “There are plenty of choices around here, now,” said Rolls. “Gosh, so many more each year that it’s doable and it’s affordable. A lot of healthy choices don’t have to be expensive, so look around you and figure out how this will fit into your Penn State environment.” “We see a huge increase in fitness participants beginning just after the new year when everyone has a lot of time and enthusiasm. Conversely, as a general rule, our first major drop off in fitness participation comes just after Super Bowl Sunday, when there is less free time and life tends to get in the way of good intentions.” -- Jill Garrigan, fitness coordinator at Penn State The other resolution that goes hand-in-hand with eating healthier and losing weight is getting fit. Penn State is at the forefront in that category as well with four fitness centers and almost 60,000 square feet of workout space. These facilities lead to 1 million visits per year, with 23,000 yearly fitness memberships, 210 weekly fitness classes, 800 pieces of equipment and over 18,000 pounds of weights. The University was recently listed among the healthiest colleges in a number of different rankings, including Greatist’s ranking http://news.psu.edu/story/324366/2014/08/28/campus-life/penn-state-named... Despite good intentions, one annual event oftentimes derails the best-laid plans. “We see a huge increase in fitness participants beginning just after the new year when everyone has a lot of time and enthusiasm,” said Jill Garrigan, fitness coordinator at Penn State. “Conversely, as a general rule, our first major drop off in fitness participation comes just after Super Bowl Sunday, when there is less free time and life tends to get in the way of good intentions.” Jill Garrigan leading an exercise class at Penn State's White Building. Garrigan, echoing Rolls’ sentiment to be realistic with your goals, offered another strategy for keeping resolutions. “Sign up for a challenge, such as a fun run, walk or other contest to help keep yourself engaged," she said. “This also will help hold you accountable for a long-term goal. Pick an event that is several months away and work toward it.” For information on Penn State’s fitness opportunities or to sign up for a membership, go to http://www.athletics.psu.edu/fitness/ In addition to classes available for employees and students, there are opportunities for employees to workout exclusively with other employees. Other resources are available at Penn State to help individuals embrace a healthier lifestyle in 2015. Stop tobacco use -- Through the Employee Assistant Program’s Health Advocate employees have access to a free tobacco cessation assistance. -- Highmark also has a tobacco cessation program for benefits-enrolled employees and dependents at 1-888-258-3428 Nutrition/weight management -- Highmark offers Personal Nutrition Coaching or other Wellness Coaching. -- A reduced-rate membership to Weight Watchers is available to benefits-eligible employees. Fitness -- Highmark members can obtain a fitness membership at a reduced rate. The bottom line for those in the Penn State community who want to lead a healthier lifestyle and are looking for assistance keeping those resolutions: help is all around you. Origine di questo articolo : PennState News.