Nov 20, 2007 8:00 AM

Sound Bites

UCLA’s FITWELL program is promoting healthy activity and lifestyle choices. What are you doing to stay fit and healthy?

Carol Felixson,director of education and community outreach, UCLA Stunt Ranch Reserve and Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden: I find it a challenge and a joy to stay fit. I try to do some activity everyday. I attend a yoga class weekly. In warmer weather, I swim. When it’s cooler, I go to my gym and do aerobics and strength training. Sometimes I take a 45-minute walk around campus. I'm fortunate to live near the beach so on weekends my husband and I will walk three miles on the bike path. We often will walk from our home near the border of Venice and Santa Monica to the Promenade to enjoy a movie and dinner. Roundtrip — that's about seven miles.

Dina Ridgeway, customer service representative, Parking Services: I decided to stay fit and healthy by monitoring my daily activities. For starters I joined the John Wooden Center. I'm there Monday through Friday, and am I excited! I have made a commitment that I will work out every day and eat foods that properly nourish me so I can live a long, healthy life. I have realized that it’s never too late to change!

Albert E. Aubin, associate director, Campus Relations and Development, Career Center: Although I have taken advantages of the wonderful programs and activities offered through UCLA, I finally joined the Wooden Center (Fitness Center South) and engaged a personal trainer. Both have helped me improve my stamina — and I feel like a 40-year-old (which I haven’t been for awhile)! I am also enrolled in a nutrition class through Santa Monica-UCLA Hospital, where I’m learning to develop a healthier weight management program. I encourage my colleagues not to wait as long as I did.

Sabrina Lux Wright, operations manager, Department of Psychology, and president, UCLA Staff Assembly: Several staff and faculty members in the psychology department get out during and walk during our lunch hour. We go to the track or walk around the lovely neighborhoods near campus. It’s great to get out of the office for some fresh air and get exercise!

Bibi Zaman-Shyayb, administrative assistant, Undergraduate Resource Center/CARE Program: Staying fit and healthy for me is both physical and mental. Physically, I do at least 15 minutes of exercise a day, including a walk to my bus stop in the mornings, walks during my lunch hour on most days. I also eat moderately — not too much of anything — and stay away from alcohol, pork and cigarettes — secondhand smoke included. The things I do to stay mentally fit are regular prayers, enjoying time with my family, good relationships with co-workers and cultivating good interpersonal qualities — especially kindness to others and generosity.

Annelie Rugg, instructional technology coordinator, Center for Digital Humanities: I try to incorporate walking, jogging or cycling to places I need to go instead of driving the car. In a typical week, I ride my bike to work and back two-four days. When I take my daughter to school, I jog her up and jog home. An added benefit is that we get more time together to talk and take a look around our neighborhood. I also bring my lunch to work, which means I can control what I am eating, and I’m not tempted to purchase things that I know aren’t good for me.

Mike I. Lee, IT manager, Social Sciences Computing: I joined the UCLA Triathlon Team as a way to stay fit. The team offers professional coaching and plenty of active teammates to keep everyone motivated. Since becoming a member in January , I have been swimming, biking and/or running on a consistent basis. Though the Tri Team is made up mostly of students, staff and faculty are welcome to join: Here. Additionally, I’d like to express my appreciation for the UCLA Fitwell Program. The lunchtime basketball program is excellent. I have met many new friends from around campus as a result of playing pick-up games. These games prepare me for my weekend battle in the Diamond Bar City Basketball League.

Christine Kubo Loh,Marketing & Communications, UCLA Housing & Hospitality Services: A couple years ago, UCLA Housing & Hospitality Services started an employee wellness program for staff. One of the activities they brought to our team is a lunchtime Weight Watchers meeting right in our facilities. Once a week, a number of H&HS team members and those from sister departments like the Office of Residential Life attend the meetings. We get useful tools and tips and recipes — it's an encouraging way to learn to eat healthy and manage our weight for the long-term. The first H&HS Weight Watchers group lost more than 113 pounds in the first 10 weeks of the program. More importantly, those participating are seeing the physical and emotional benefits of being more in control of their health. I've lost 20 pounds since June and I feel great — like my old self again ... maybe even better!

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