Active U challenges and invigorates, participants say

Participants in last year's Active U say the program not only has helped them set fitness goals, it has enabled them to renew their commitments to a healthier lifestyle.

A printable pass allows Active U participants daily access to University fitness centers on the Ann Arbor campus at no charge until 4:00 p.m. (Image courtesy Michigan Healthy Community)

"Prior to the Active U challenge," says Susan Fisher-George, assistant director for student employment, "I walked three miles, three times a week for years. When I signed up for the challenge, I set a goal of over 8,000 steps daily, so, in order to meet this personal goal, I added three days of walking to my weekly exercise program and I remained totally committed.

"I quickly noticed how good I felt. I also noticed the extra energy that I had.

"Despite the ending of the challenge, I continued on with my newly found exercise program and I continue to feel great."

This year, the eight-week program runs Feb. 6-April 3 and is open to all faculty, staff members and graduate students. Organizers hope to top last year's participation of some 8,600 enrollees.

Only one week remains to register. Participants, who can join as a team or individually, set and work toward personal weekly goals of physical activity—ranging from household chores, like vacuuming, to playing basketball to lifting weights.

This year many of these activities can be done at one of three recreation centers on the Ann Arbor campus, as the fitness facilities are allowing Active U participants to work out free until 4 p.m. every day. Each week, Active U participants will receive an e-mail newsletter with a printable pass for free admission to the centers. Those who do not have regular access to a computer can obtain a pass from a supervisor.

Free access hours at U-M-Dearborn are 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m-5 p.m. Saturday. U-M-Flint is opening its facility from 6-9 a.m. and noon-3 p.m. Monday-Friday. A pass is not required for Dearborn and Flint; users should show their MCards.

Participants will track activity online at least once a week during the challenge, an aspect of the program that proved beneficial last year for Elaine Crook, administrative assistant senior in the Office of Financial Aid.

"One thing Active U taught me," she says, "was to track my cardio and weight training so that I could increase my time and weights in order to challenge myself."

The top three teams in several different categories and individual participants who achieve the highest percentage of their activity goals will be recognized during awards ceremonies at all three campuses in the spring.

Additionally, one team and one individual from each campus will be selected to choose the charity to which enrollment donations will be given. Last year, over $36,000 was raised for Alternatives for Girls, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America.

Besides raising money for good causes, the health benefits of Active U are evident even to the fittest faculty and staff members, like Christine Szumko.

As an officer of the U.S. Air Force and assistant professor of the Air Force Officer Education Program, physical fitness is part of Szumko's lifestyle. Of the 2006 Active U program, she says, "It was refreshing to see a civilian institution put emphasis on health and wellness."

Registration for the Active U challenge is open until Feb. 6; participants receive a free long-sleeve T-shirt for signing up. To register online or view a list of in-person registration sites, go to www.umich.edu/~hraa/mhealthy/.