Usually when it comes to the end of December and the first of January, there is a big rush to fill the Y’s, gyms, and exercise programs of various types. People become just a little more worried about their health. It usually is fueled in part by some inactivity and maybe just a few more calories being consumed during the holiday period, and the resulting weight gain.
Two of my favorite organizations have some solutions and make perfect fits for New Year’s resolutions.
The first one is Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. Upcoming for 2013 is the 50th Anniversary of RCCC, and there are lots of exciting things happening. There is a whole series of personal enrichment classes. The RCCC Personal Enrichment Program offers short-term courses in self- improvement, cultural enrichment and academic achievement for adults. The classes are held at a variety of times and locations to help meet your schedule. You can take a class with family or friends and enjoy learning new skills together.
Classes are added often, but already on tap for the spring semester are some very interesting classes. One of those is called “Fortify Your Fitness” and will be meeting for eight consecutive weeks at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis. RCCC has a very nice building there. As you might have guessed, I will be teaching this class.
We will be covering such pertinent topics as nutrition, stretching, strengthening, personal safety, and injury prevention while working toward a goal of being able to complete a 5K run after eight weeks. This program is geared toward beginners, and walkers are very welcome. It is also a good fit for those who were regular runners or walkers and have lost the focus.
We’ll help you jump start your fitness workouts again. Each participant will get a workout schedule, and personal coaching throughout on such topics as running form and race day preparation.
“Fortify Your Fitness” is going to be fun. There is no emphasis on speed; we’ll just work to cover the distance. Everybody gets a very nice dri-fit shirt and a certificate once they complete the course. There is a Tuesday evening class, starting at 5:30 p.m. and a Thursday morning class at 10 a.m. Both will use the campus roads and sidewalks for the exercise part after beginning each weekly session in the classroom.
Other healthy living classes offered in the upcoming semester are core stability and beginning yoga. Classes offered as enrichment are how to use a digital camera and communicating with sign language. More information is available on all of these classes at www.rccc.edu/enrichment.
These classes are all available for registration now by calling Tricia Staggers at 704-216-3512.
If you know of a person who has everything, enroll him or her in one of these and they’ll get a great Christmas gift.
Rowan Regional Medical Center still has a great deal available. Are you worried about what shape your heart might be in? Once again, what better time to give your loved ones a gift by making an appointment to find out? Testing takes about half an hour, and it is done by one of the hospital’s wellness professionals at the Smith Heart and Vascular Center.
You get your blood pressure checked in both arms, and a finger stick to draw blood for additional testing including blood glucose. They check your weight and height, and then provide a BMI or Body Mass Index. This is a calculator of proper body size, with the result falling into categories of underweight, normal, overweight, and obese.
When the testing is done, the wellness professional will talk with you about risk factors that include gender, age, family history, cancer, diabetes, inactivity, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, poor nutrition, smoking, depression, and coronary artery disease. You will get a written copy of your heart risk assessment and another will be sent to your doctor.
What better time of year to get peace of mind and direction if needed to address an issue? It is certainly worth taking the time, only about half an hour. The cost ­— it is free. Call 800-335-4921 to schedule your appointment.
These are just some of my favorite ways to really celebrate the Christmas season. Your health is the best gift you can give yourself!