VSU Encourages Healthier Lifestyle with Active For Life Sept. 19-Nov. 27

Active For Life is a 10-week program sponsored by the American Cancer Society. It is offered to VSU faculty, staff, and student employees free of charge. This year’s event will run from Sept. 19 through Nov. 27.

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University will present its annual Active For Life fitness challenge Sept. 19 through Nov. 27. Any faculty, staff, or student employees interested in enhancing their overall health and well-being this semester are encouraged to participate in this special workplace event.

A kickoff celebration is scheduled from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16, in Student Union Ballroom C.

“Each year we see great results from our 200-plus participants,” said Rebecca Murphy, a member of VSU’s Campus Wellness Committee, which sponsors this event each year, and associate director of Human Resources for Employee and Organizational Development. “I love hearing the success stories on weight loss, better health, stress reduction, increased motivation, and seeding the camaraderie that forms with those participating. Promoting a healthier lifestyle is just one of the many ways we are working to make a positive difference in the lives of our university employees.”

Active For Life is a physical activity initiative designed to help VSU employees become more active on a regular basis by setting some personal fitness goals. These goals are established based on each person’s current activity level and can be moderate, like doing yard work or walking or taking the stairs more often, or more intense, like running or playing tennis. Men and women who engage in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes five or more days per week on a regular basis experience many health benefits, including a lower risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases; weight loss; reduced stress; and increased energy.

Participation in programs like Active For Life has been shown to lower absenteeism and turnover, improve job performance and morale, lower medical costs and reduce disability days, and foster teamwork among colleagues. 

Active For Life is a 10-week program sponsored by the American Cancer Society. It is offered to VSU faculty, staff, and student employees free of charge. This year’s event will run from Sept. 19 through Nov. 27, with a closing celebration scheduled from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 28, in Student Union Ballroom C.

“This is our sixth year offering this program …,” Murphy said.

“Last year we had over 240 faculty, staff, and student employees participate, with 89 percent obtaining 90 percent or higher personal fitness goal attainment over the 10-week period,” she added. “We hope to achieve even more this year.”

Contact Rebecca Murphy at (229) 259-5105 or rbowes@valdosta.edu to learn more.

On the Web:

https://www.valdosta.edu/administration/finance-admin/campus-wellness/active-for-life.php

Active For Life Action Steps

1 — Visit www.activeforlife.org and select “Join A Team.”

2 — Enter company name “Valdosta State University” and password “vsu.”

3 — Click the search button next to “Team Name” and a list of teams will appear.

4 — Select a team you want to join and then click “Join Selected Team” at the bottom of the screen.

5 — If you participated in Active For Life last year, log in using your email address and password. If you are new to Active For Life, you will need to create an account.

6 — Take a moment to review the terms and conditions. Don’t forget to check the box at the bottom before clicking “Submit.” 

7 — Answer a couple of questions regarding your current physical activity status and desire to participate in Active For Life.

8 — Choose your activity level — Bronze (10 to 29 minutes per day, 5 days a week), Silver (30 to 59 minutes per day, 5 days a week), Gold (60+ minutes per day, 5 days a week).

9 — Answer a few more questions regarding how motivated you are to reach your goal, your reasons for participating in the challenge, how confident you are that you will reach your goal, and your current health status.

10 — Finish setting any additional goals, including weight goals and nutrition goals, for the challenge. Those goals are only visible to the participant.

11 — Make plans to attend the 2016 Active For Life kickoff celebration from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 9, in Student Union Ballroom C.

12 — Begin working toward your fitness goals on Monday, Sept. 19. Earn 1 point for every 1 minute of physical activity. Track your activity at www.activeforlife.org. All participants who reach their goal each week will be entered into a bi-weekly prize drawing.

13 — Read the newsletter that will be delivered to your inbox every other week. It will highlight the top individual and top team performers, and it will include fitness tips, healthy recipes, and upcoming wellness sessions.

14 — Motivate your team members to reach their goals. The competition ends on Sunday, Nov. 27. Attend the closing celebration from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 28, in Student Ballroom C.