Mesalands starts new “Commit to be Fit Challenge”

January 25, 2016

Mesalands Community College will be beginning a new “Commit to be Fit Challenge” this week to encourage and motivate individuals to continue their New Year’s resolutions to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. The challenge has two contests, to “Compete with Yourself” or to “Compete with the Community.” The winner of the contest will receive a free 6-month membership to the Fitness Center for the second half of the year, July-December 2016.

Phil Tafone the Health and Wellness Facility Coordinator/Faculty at Mesalands explains more about the “Commit to be Fit” Challenge.

“You will first have to pay for a six-month Fitness Center membership and then you will meet with me to declare your enrollment in one of the two contests. If you should win one of the contests, we will then cover your Fitness Center membership for the next six months,” Tafone said. “The two contests cater to two different personalities and interests.”

Tafone said the first “Compete with Yourself” contest could have an unlimited number of winners. He said for three months (February, March, and April) members will be required to log five workouts per week, which is basically 20 entrances per month into the Fitness Center. Each workout must be a minimum of 15 minutes and will be confirmed through the College’s security system.

Tafone said individuals with more of a Type A personality may be more interested in the second contest to “Compete with the Community.” In addition to the required 6-month gym membership, members will need to meet with Tafone for their pre-contest fitness assessment, to record their strength, health, and fitness information. The pre-contest assessment will need to be completed by Monday, February 1 to enroll in this contest. Tafone will then track the members progress every month during the challenge.

Membership to the Fitness Center at Mesalands is $25 per month. Membership fees will need to be paid at the Business Office located in Building A. The Fitness Center is also open 24 hours a day and is accessed by a key card.

“Our Fitness Center is phenomenal! I have been in larger communities and community colleges in major cities and they don’t have the Fitness Center that we have,” Tafone said. “It’s a delight running the Fitness Center and coaching everyone to their new found success.”

Tafone also shared five tips for staying fit in the winter:

  1. GET SOME SUN (Or at least mimic it) – Ultraviolet (UV) light is essential to a smooth metabolism and positive mood. If you can’t get outdoors for 15 minutes per day, consider a “Dawn Simulator” or “Happy Light” to supplement your sunlight exposure. This will help prevent the depression that keeps us eating sweets as well as reduce production of cortisol, the stress hormone that keeps fat from burning.
  1. BUNDLE UP – Your body doesn’t know that you have a home with a thermostat or that meals will be available whenever you desire. As temps drop, your hunger will rise, until you are about as hungry as a bear pre-hibernation. Dress for winter and if you need to, keep a small space heater at your workplace. You’ll want food less.
  1. HOT DRINKS, HOT BODY (Sort of) – I often recommend that my clients enjoy a few cups of coffee or tea during the day and even consider one a half hour before a workout. Caffeine can be a good thing when consumed 100mg at a time, up to three times a day. Herbal teas can have detoxifying qualities and coffee has recently been shown to be good for the heart. Remember to go easy on sugar or use stevia and do not start a life of hot cocoa and lattes!
  1. BE CONSISTENT – Rivers cut rock through persistence. If you’re a home workout person there’s no better era to be fit than now. If you’re a gym goer, consider what you like (TVs on and cardio gear, or do you need dumbbells up to 120 pounds?) and sign up. Set a time and stick to it. Your metabolism will improve more by exercising for 20 minutes daily than once per week for 90 minutes.
  1. STAY MOTIVATED – Most importantly, remember that every day is the start of the rest of your life. Even if you find yourself indulging week after week all the way through Super Bowl Sunday, you will still have 10-12 weeks to take action and turn it all around. No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everyone on the couch.

For more information, please contact Phil Tafone, Health and Wellness Facility Coordinator/Faculty at (575) 461-4413, ext. 126.