Inside Furman is published monthly during the school year by the Furman University Department of Marketing and Public Relations. For story ideas, e-mail John Roberts, editor.
Get up and get moving
As a child, Kelly Frazier was accustomed to doing her homework on the gym floor while her mother took an aerobics class. Outdoor exercise was encouraged, television time limited and junk food denied.
“Oh, we (she and her two sisters) hated it,” says Frazier. “When I moved out, I rebelled a little bit. But later I started eating the way I was raised, eating right and exercising.”
Now Frazier, who joined the Furman staff as wellness coordinator and Health and Exercise Science lecturer after earning a master's degree in HES from the university in 2001, has made a career of spreading the gospel that her mother preached: Make good nutrition and exercise part of your lifestyle.
Many in the Furman community are hearing the message and experiencing the benefits. During the past two years, more than 300 Furman students, employees and their dependents have taken part in at least one of Frazier's four wellness programs.
Many lose weight (those taking one class lost an average of 18 pounds). More importantly, all are working to make healthier choices.
“I now have the knowledge that will help influence my food choices,” wrote Carol Armstrong in a course evaluation. “I know that I am on my way to better health with your help. I don't want to leave it to the doctors to try to correct things with drugs. I want to be a healthier person.”
While the focus of the individual programs varies, all have the same cornerstone: to help participants embrace a healthier lifestyle through nutrition and exercise education. All are free to Furman employees and their dependents or cost very little.
Education about nutrition and exercise is acutely important as mounting evidence suggests that obesity in America is a growing health crisis. And supplements and fad diets are not the answer, says Frazier.
During a 12-week LEARN ( Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitudes, Relationships and Nutrition) p rogram, Frazier shows participants how most fad diets, while they may provide temporary results, play havoc with your metabolism and are unhealthy. Appetite suppressants and other supplements, too, are a waste of time and money.
“I try to teach them to evaluate their life and get them to understand that they need to make changes that will last forever,” says Frazier, who also teaches group exercise classes.
Dana Trebing, who completed LEARN last year, says the program has given her a greater awareness of the food she eats.
“When I go to a restaurant, I look for the healthier choices on the menu instead of ordering my first instinctive choice. I read labels in the grocery store a lot more often than I used to. I eat more vegetables now and less (high-fat) meat.”
The LEARN Program (Fall and Spring terms)
This 12-week seminar includes discussions about nutrition, exercise, weight management and prevention of chronic disease. One-hour meetings are held Tuesday 12-1 p.m. or Wednesday 5:30-6:30 p.m. Cost: $50. Fee includes a textbook, handouts and pedometer.
Time Crunch Fitness (Winter term)
This exercise program teaches participants how to get the most from their workout. The workshops, held Thursdays 5:30-6:30 p.m. and Fridays 12-1 p.m., include a lecture and many hands-on demonstrations. Cost: Free.
Healthy Eating Seminar Series (Summer I term)
This group meets for lunch every Tuesday 12-1 p.m. over a healthy lunch to discuss nutrition and “healthy eating for life.” Cost: Free
Group Exercise Program (year long)
This program includes eight different classes: yoga, body fit (resistance training), aqua power, cardiokick, step, sport conditioning, Pilates and group cycle. Cost: $35-$50 per term for access to unlimited classes.