Every year, February brings snowy days, long winter nights and the inevitable onslaught of work as students emerge from the lethargy of Winter Break. This year, however, students have the option of seriously pursuing fitness and wellness as part of the second-annual February Fit program.
February Fit month is designed to help students who feel locked into a daily regimen of sports, extra-curricular activities and classes. The programs offered over the next few weeks will strive to provide students with opportunities to re-focus on their mental and physical well-being. The Buck Center for Health and Wellness, Counseling Services and the Bowdoin Outing Club (BOC) will sponsor programs this year.
Health Education Coordinator Emily Skinner '08, the lead organizer of the initiative, believes that February serves as the best month to challenge the inertia that students may feel as a result of long winters in Maine.
"For the last two years we have chosen to run February Fit during the month of February for a number of reasons," wrote Skinner in an e-mail to the Orient. "For one, February can be a pretty cold, dark month back here on campus, and February Fit can serve as a fun way to encourage students to seek out these great resources in a time when they may be less likely to seek them out on their own."
Students may have noticed a blue card placed in their mailboxes at the end of January advertising the month's selection of programs. Events include the annual "Heath and Wellness Fair" on February 19, or an easy and nutritious cooking class at the Schwartz Outdoor Leadership Center sponsored by the BOC.
As additional motivation, students who bring the blue cards to February Fit events will earn points toward prizes and be placed in a raffle.
"The point system and raffle is just a fun extra push of encouragement to help students try out the many great resources here on campus," wrote Skinner. "At the end of the month, cards are returned and people are entered to win the following prizes based on the level of points they 'earn.'"
For students who receive more than 150 points, possible awards include an iPod nano and hour-long massages, while participants who receive over 50 points will be entered to win a free health and wellness class. Students who attend at least one event will have a chance to win a personalized workout mix-tape or wellness journal.
Skinner heralded the success of last year's fitness month and said she hopes to see in increase in participation with the newly added programs.
"[B]eing in Maine, it is a fun time to highlight the many great outdoor activities that are a great natural resource for us all...even in the winter," wrote Skinner. "Get on out and enjoy February Fit."