UNews - Recreation Services

Bee Heart Smart begins May 1

trevor.kenney — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:40:53 +0000

By SUZANNE MCINTOSH

It is that time of year again. The semester is wrapping up, spring is on the way, crocuses are blooming and your team should be gearing up for the 6th Annual Bee Heart Smart six-week physical activity challenge.

Running May 1 to June 14, this competition is open to staff and faculty with the goal of promoting active living by participating in walking, running, swimming, cycling or other physical activities.

Last year was my first year involved in this challenge and I enjoyed the enthusiasm and friendly competition exhibited. Our goal this year is to increase participation – in both total individuals (176 in 2009) and number of teams (17 in 2009) registered.

Rule changes for this year include a new time category for physical activity other than walking, running, cycling or swimming. Participants will now be able to record their time spent at the gym, engaging in activities such as yoga, pilates, or indoor soccer, to name a few.

There will also be two additional categories for running and cycling; allowing cyclists to either record the distance travelled (km) or time spent performing the activity.

Registration for the Bee Heart Smart challenge will be available through the Wellness website (www.uleth.ca/hum/wellness) or the Notice Board as of Apr. 16. Early Bird draw prizes will be available to those who register prior to May 1.

Record the following (daily or weekly):
• Number of steps (using a pedometer) or time for walking/running
• Number of km or time for cycling
• Number of laps for swimming
• Time spent performing other physical activity
Prizes will be drawn weekly for the top performers as well as random prizes for participation.
The benefits of getting involved in the Bee Heart Smart challenge are many.

Improved health
Walking just 30 minutes on most days can lead to significant health benefits. Aim for 10,000 steps per day – this can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis.

Weight control
Just 2km of walking burns 100 calories. By adding 2km several times a week, you can burn an additional 500 calories a week.

Prizes
There will be prizes such as free monthly memberships to the fitness centre (from Sports and Recreation Services), pedometers,
U of L Bookstore gift certificates, movie passes, and a variety of other prizes. Weekly draws will be made for every level of participation.

Stress Relief
One of the most effective methods of stress relief is exercise. Physical activity provides an outlet for negative emotions such as frustration, anger and irritability, promoting a more positive mood and outlook. Your body releases greater amounts of endorphins which are the powerful pain-relieving, mood-elevating chemicals in the brain.

FUN!
Joining a team for Bee Heart Smart, not only makes physical activity more fun, but makes you more accountable to your team, which helps ensure ongoing participation. Remember it takes about three weeks to start a new habit, so six weeks of Bee Heart Smart will have you well on your way to continuing this physical activity throughout the summer.

Sport and Recreation Services will offer first time monthly memberships (for the month of May) to anyone participating in the Bee Heart Smart Challenge for $10 (a savings of $21.75).

Suzanne McIntosh is the wellness co-ordinator at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

Bee Heart Smart initiates a challenge

trevor.kenney — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:35:07 +0000

It is that time of year again. The semester is wrapping up, spring is on the way, crocuses are blooming and your team should be gearing up for the 6th Annual Bee Heart Smart six-week physical activity challenge.

Running May 1 to June 14, this competition is open to staff and faculty with the goal of promoting active living by participating in walking, running, swimming, cycling or other physical activities.

There will also be two additional categories for running and cycling; allowing cyclists to either record the distance travelled (km) or time spent performing the activity.

Weight control
Just 2km of walking burns 100 calories. By adding 2km several times a week, you can burn an additional 500 calories a week.

Sport and Recreation Services will offer first time monthly memberships (for the month of May) to anyone participating in the Bee Heart Smart Challenge for $10 (a savings of $21.75).

Suzanne McIntosh is the wellness co-ordinator at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

Golf training lessons

trevor.kenney — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 21:10:07 +0000

Sport and Recreation Services is offering golfers the opportunity to get their swings in shape as the new golf season beckons.

For a fee of $55 per person, players can get instruction from Canadian Professional Golfers Association (CPGA) professional Chris de Bruin, as well as fitness instruction from a certified fitness trainer. A total of four sessions are included in the package, with the first session on Tuesday, Apr. 6 and subsequent sessions running each Tuesday through Apr. 27. Each two-hour session begins at 6 p.m. at Orion Sports & Training Centre.

A maximum of eight golfers will be accepted per class.

To register, visit the Customer Service Centre (PE160) or call 403-329-2706.

Bee Heart Smart Challenge continues success

trevor.kenney — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:24:40 +0000

The Bee Heart Smart Challenge – Walk, Run, Swim or Cycle 2009, from May 1 to June 13, was an initiative for staff and faculty sponsored by the U of L Wellness Committee and Sport and Recreation Services. The program started in 2005 as a walking challenge and has evolved to become the "Bee Heart Smart" contest that includes running, swimming and cycling.

The goal is to promote active living, which means making physical activity a part of everyday life through walking, taking the stairs, gardening, playing with your kids or dogs at the park, swimming or cycling, just to name a few activities.

There is a strong connection between the health and well-being of people and their work environments and the more active employees are, the healthier the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community. And of course we want people to have fun while being active!

Wellness Week kicked off the contest this year and as of June 1, 176 participants and 17 teams were registered. This is the highest number of participants since the Wellness Committee began keeping records.

Activity is recorded (either daily or weekly) by:

• Counting steps while walking or running (using a pedometer is the best way to do this)

• Counting laps while swimming (each 50m lap is counted as one)

• Tracking minutes spent cycling

Weekly winners are drawn from registrants who have logged progress during the week. Weekly draw winners to date include: Nicole Spence, Carl Budny, Ruth Hummel, Sheri Lacey, John Poulsen, Joan Zimmer, Nicole Wilson, Linda Gray, Susan Hill, Edward Malinsky, Rumi Graham and Kevin McFadzen.

During the third week of the contest, individuals who entered the most steps, laps or cycle time were awarded prizes as well. Cindy Venhuis, Dwayne Armstrong and JulieAnne Kent were winners.

The Fast Trackers won the draw for Early Bird Team Registration.

The contest wrap-up and prize announcements occur the week of June 15. Get out there and get active and next year look for "purposeful activity" time instead of just cycle time.

Thanks to the following areas for prize donations or discounts: AUPE, U of L Bookstore, Sport and Recreation Services, U of L Athletics and Southern AB Centre for Successful Aging.

Wellness Week

trevor.kenney — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:44:57 +0000

Wellness Week events

Monday, Apr. 27
The Myth of Work-Life Balance
Michelle Cederberg
10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
1:15 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Both sessions in PE264.

Tuesday, Apr. 28
Beginner Program Design
Helping you plan your
strategy for the Bee Heart Smart Challenge.
12 p.m. to 1 p.m., 1st Choice Savings Centre

Wednesday, Apr. 29
Massage Therapy
Book yourself a 15-minute chair with one of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ massage therapists.
Web registration.
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Thursday, Apr. 30
Blue Cross and Benefits and Payroll session on the Health and Wellness Companion
11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., Students' Union, Ballroom A.
1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., W646.

Flexibility and Lower
Back Health
12 p.m. to 1 p.m., 1st Choice Savings Centre
No pre-registration necessary

Friday, May 1
Workplace Violence? Bullying in the Workplace?
Risk and Safety Services
presentation.
12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Students' Union, Ballroom A.

May 1 to June 13
The Bee Heart Smart Challenge
Walk, Run, Swim, Cycle. Web registration at www.uleth.ca/ins/walking09.

Sport and Recreation Services is offering memberships for first-time members for the month of May at $10 each.

No excuses; staff rates can help you stay in shape

trevor.kenney — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:32:50 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and Sport and Recreation Services make it difficult to come up with excuses for not staying in shape.

Not only does the U of L have first-rate facilities to satisfy every recreational need, Sport and Recreation Services offers staff membership rates to all ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge employees.

Membership includes access to the Fitness Centre, Max Bell Aquatic Centre, triple gymnasium, Ascent Climbing Centre, indoor running track, as well as admission to selected drop-in fitness classes, and a 10 per cent discount on select group programs and services.

Passes can be purchased either monthly ($28), quarterly ($100) or annually ($265.50) and there is also the option of monthly payroll deduction ($22.10 per month). Memberships provide access to the locker rooms. Both male and female locker rooms have steam rooms and lockers for rent that come with towel service. Locker rates are approximately $5 per month on payroll deduction. Lockers can be rented either quarterly or annually.

Additionally, Sport and Recreation Services offers programs such as personal consultations and personal training. This is a great way to not only get introduced to the facility but to receive specific training on living a healthy lifestyle.

For more information, visit the Sport and Recreation Services website or give them a call at 403-329-2706. As well, the Spring/Summer 2009 Activity Guide is available around campus.

No excuses; staff rates can help you stay in shape

trevor.kenney — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 22:57:36 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and Sport and Recreation Services make it difficult to come up with excuses for not staying in shape.

For more information, visit the Sport and Recreation Services website or give them a call at 403-329-2706. As well, the Spring/Summer 2009 Activity Guide is available around campus beginning Mar. 1.

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