Every New Year’s Eve, most people in the United States make it their resolution to get in the gym and back into shape. As many of us know, it’s easier said than done. This month, the Student Health Center (SHC) at California State University, Stanislaus is trying to help its students get a jumpstart on their fitness resolutions.
The SHC has rechristened the month “STEP-tember,” and aims to help increase the options for getting in that extra workout during the day. They do this by encouraging students to take different routes around campus to increase their daily step count and potentially help them get a jumpstart on their fitness journeys.
“STEP-tember is a month-long campaign that promotes physical activity,” Megan Rowe, Health Educator at the SHC, said. “With our theme: ‘Work it in. Work it out,’ we aim to encourage people to look for opportunities to increase the number of steps taken throughout the day to become more active.”
The SHC teamed up with Associated Students Incorporated (ASI) and came up with some interesting ways to market their campaign.
“We’ve been organizing physical activity challenges on our Instagram to get people involved,” Rowe said. “Another challenge will be announced on Monday, Sept. 22 for the remainder of the month, but you’ll have to follow us on Instagram @csustan_healthed to find out how to participate.”
The routes around campus are broken down into four different tracks that range anywhere from half a mile to two-and-a-half miles.
“While planning for this campaign, we worked with ASI’s Marketing Team to create a map of our campus with suggested walking trails,” Rowe said. “The map can be found at various places around campus and also on our Student Health Center Facebook site.”
If you’re looking to stay at or get to a healthy weight, strengthen muscles and bones—and even sleep better at night—then this challenge is definitely something to look into. Health and fitness are important for mind and body, and the SHC’s STEP-tember is a welcome reminder that homework isn’t the only thing students should be thinking about.
For more information, stop by or contact the SHC at 209-667-3396 or follow them Instagram @csustan_healthed and on Facebook at CSU Stanislaus Student Health Center.