On the Move program returns, offers health and fitness support

Team fitness challenges aim to motivate faculty and staff

Heading into March, most New Year’s resolutions have fallen by the wayside. Fortunately Brandeis On the Move will rekindle the fitness flame with its kick-off on March 4, from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. at Sherman Hall.

At the kick-off, Tufts Health Plan will provide stretching techniques to help keep hamstrings and backs flexible, and offer up some exercise tips and methods to keep you motivated. Members from Human Resources will give demonstrations on how teams  can track their progress, and members of the athletic department will be present to provide information on fitness classes and athletic facilities.

Brandeis On The Move will run through April 28, 2013. All participants will receive a t-shirt.

The program, which is primarily focused on accumulating points based on physical activity, also involves health and fitness screenings, tips, and supportive team fitness challenges. It is sponsored by the Office of Human Resources as part of the University's Healthy You Wellness Program.

On March 14th, various screenings such as blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and Body Mass Index (BMI) will be offered. Follow up screenings will take place at the end of April.

Kit Sum Lam, from the office of financial affairs and treasury services, participated last year as a running team captain. She says she joined to maintain overall health and is looking forward to this year’s challenge.

“The program motivates me in the sense that I'm partnering with other team members,” says Sum Lam. “I need to put in an extra effort to show them support.”

Each team is composed of five employees. Members are asked to give their team a name, select a captain (someone who will motivate the team to exercise and submit logs on time) and then e-mail the team roster to the Benefits department.

At the end of each week, all participants are asked to record time they spent on their activities and forward the totals to the Benefits Department. Team points will be posted on the website.

If you need assistance finding a team, Human Resources will work to match you with other employees who are looking to participate.

At the conclusion of the program, all participants will be invited to attend a Brandeis On The Move Reception and awards ceremony to celebrate their achievements.

Katrina Paczosa from the admissions department took part in last year's challenge.

"It was a lot of fun and a great way to motivate each other to work out," says Paczosa. "We created sticker charts so that everyone in our office could see how each other was doing."

Paczosa said not only did the department work out individually, but they started going to Zumba class in the gym and running after work as a group. Two members, she says, went on to run half marathons.

"I continued running after On the Move concluded, and am currently training for my first half marathon in April," says Paczosa. "Our office will again have two groups participating this year. I can't wait to get started!"

For more details, please visit the Office of Human Resources On the Move.  Email questions to Tim Carey or call 6-4461.