Something fantastic is happening within the #SAfit community, led by Paul Jacobsen-Miller (@pmilleredu) of Emporia State University. It’s the first annual #SAfit Team Challenge, and it involves three teams of student affairs professionals and graduate students on the journey to a better sense of wellness. We are all at different levels, but we all have a common goal: to lead healthier lives.
My team, recently dubbed #SALightenUp, includes twelve individuals from across the country and is led by Erin Nunn (@E_Nunn). Our team name, voted on by our members, has an obvious reference to fitness; however, it also reminds us “to have fun with this journey and not take ourselves too seriously” (@E_Nunn). Each week, we’ll track our exercise, nutrition, and sleeping habits, being awarded points for different accomplishments. Each week, there is an additional challenge.
The challenge this week is to set the baseline, taking both measurements and pictures to start our journey together. Setting a baseline is so important in any fitness endeavor, as it allows you to see progress as you make it. So what is my baseline?
I am 23 years old (going on 24); I am 5 feet 5 inches tall and weigh 143 pounds. For me, this journey started last March when I struggled to run a 5k for the first time since I can remember. I started with small, manageable changes such as getting active for at least twenty minutes each day of the work week whether it was walking, running, or a work out video. Now, I hit the gym for high intensity interval and circuit training six days a week, alternating cardio and strength training to maximize fat burn and toning. On my off day, I do yoga, which has proved to be a great start to the week.
What I need to work on is healthy eating and sleeping habits. I’m looking to #SALightenUp to help me with that goal.
The challenge only started yesterday, and we’ve already seen 14 encouraging tweets using the hashtag. I’m excited to see how this community will both challenge and support me in my fitness goals over the course of the next three months. So here’s to the 12 individuals on my team and their goals. You can find us at #SALightenUp!
Tagged: healthy-living, Motivation, SALightenUp, Social Media, Wellness
Great post- So excited to be on this journey w/ you all! Go team!