DANVILLE ? Students, faculty and staff from Lakeview College of Nursing are becoming healthier due to the efforts of a few of the school?s senior-level nursing students.
More than half the campus is participating in a new student-run project that is called Get Fit at Lakeview.
The project was designed as part of a senior seminar class known as the Senior Legacy Project of four Lakeview students: Chelsey Clark, of Arcola, Christina Grider of Champaign, Kristin Gilman of Farmington, Conn., and Amanda Quinlan of Paxton.
According to Clark, the class requires senior level students ?to do something to better the lives of the students, faculty and community.?
Most of the time the senior level projects focus on garnering donations for charity groups or food drives, but this group took it a step farther.
Clark shared the story.
?What do you do when you study? You snack and drink caffeine and do all these unhealthy things,? she said.
All four of the students were part of an accelerated program where they were working 12-hour days. They were finding it difficult to find not only time to work out routinely but also a place that was open when they were available.
After finding Kinex Fitness Studios in Urbana, they started talking about possibilities for their senior seminar. The employees at the fitness center, overhearing their conversations, told them to let them know if they could help.
?Unbeknownst to us, that they could do so much,? said Clark.
The goal of the project is to improve the overall health of Lakeview students, faculty and staff by participating in a ?biggest loser? inspired competition.
The program started at the beginning of the year.
?The timing was perfect because everybody had these New Year?s resolutions so everyone was ready to jump on board.?
Clark said there are three check-in times for participating students: the first was at the beginning of the program; the second just before spring break; and the final check-in is in April when the program wraps up.
The participant that loses the largest percent of body fat will win a monetary award, a fitness package from Kinex Fitness Studios of Urbana valued at $100, and two round-trip airfare tickets to anywhere in the contiguous 48 states to celebrate the winner?s accomplishments, all from Kinex Fitness Studios.
Get Fit at Lakeview is also offering fitness classes bi-weekly to participants at Lakeview, in Danville, taught by Kinex Fitness Studios personal trainers and group fitness instructors. This service was also donated by the fitness facility.
As a reward for attending these classes, participants are given a free Kinex T-shirt and water bottle.
The Lakeview students developed the Get Fit at Lakeview project because they say it is important for nursing students and nurses to be healthy role models for their peers and patients. Additionally, the members of the group noted that if nurses continue to participate in a lifestyle that includes healthy eating habits and exercise routines, they will be less likely to miss work days. Employees who are fit are less prone to chronic diseases such as diabetes.
?Sitting in a classroom all day and studying all night is an easy way to get out of shape quickly. We really wanted to incorporate promoting a healthy lifestyle while providing the opportunity to take certified group fitness classes for our peers. We have had an amazing turnout and hope this is something that will continue on at Lakeview,? said Clark.
She said developing the program was cost effective, easy to do, and required a little bit of babysitting. She said they?ve now had spouses of faculty members sign up and even their mailman.
Melissa Barber, a senior student at Lakeview College of Nursing, is participating in the Get Fit at Lakeview program. She said, ?As a student in my last semester, I find myself without a lot of extra time and an added amount of stress. I feel like if staying fit is important to you, you?ll find a way to make time for it, not an excuse; having Get Fit at Lakeview takes away the excuse.?
Clark said they are hoping they have laid the groundwork for the program to be expanded to the Charleston campus next year.
The group has taken additional steps to improve the health of Lakeview students by focusing on healthier eating. They have sold City Girl Frozen Yogurt (formerly Skinni Girl) bi-weekly at selected lunch times in order for students to have a healthy snack. They have also lobbied for healthier choices within the vending machines that reside on site at Lakeview College of Nursing. There are now more healthy choices in the vending machines.
The competition will officially wrap up on April 13, but many are hoping that students, faculty and staff will continue to Get Fit at Lakeview.
For more information about this event, contact Lakeview College of Nursing at (217) 709-0920 or visit http://readabout.me/achievements/Chelsey-Clark-of-Arcola-IL-Motivates-Students-Faculty-Staff-to-Get-Fit-at-Lakeview/3583084.
Contact James at djames@jg-tc.com or 238-6866.
Source: http://www.bodyhealthandfitness.net/arcola-nursing-student-co-develops-fitness-program-at-lakeview/
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