O Highlighting ways to stay healthy in our community
PARK RAPIDS ENTERPRISE
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 12, 2012
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Regular exercise routine has many health benefits BY ANNA ERICKSON aerickson@parkrapidsenterprise.com
Got the winter blues? Try exercise. “The benefits of exercise are numerous,” said Lu Cinda Fisher, personal trainer at Fitness Center of Park Rapids.”Our bodies are meant to move.” If someone hasn’t exercised in a while or are starting out for the first time, Fisher recommends starting out slowly. “A lot of people are gung-ho about it but go too fast, get sore and burned out,” she said. Results won’t be instantaneous. “Start out with something you like,” Fisher said. “After it becomes a routine, make sure to switch it up a bit.” Also, be sure to stretch before and after every workout. “Stretching is just as important as the workout itself,” she said. “Muscles will develop much better and you will have good results.” A person’s metabolism will begin to increase after exercising and it will be easier to lose weight, Fisher said. “It will also keep you warmer in the winter,” she said. Trying group classes can be a good way to make friends and keep exercise exciting. “I know a lot of people count on classes but everybody is a little different,” she said. Other benefits to exercising include increased dopamine in the brain, which can help people get over the winter blues, Fisher said. “It also gives you self confidence,” she added. People sleep better, too, if they exercise, and their skin looks better because it gets
‘A lot of people are gung-ho about it, but go too fast, get sore and burned out.’
River Heights to initiate smoke-free policy
Lu Cinda Fisher Personal trainer
washed out from the inside, Fisher said. “A person who takes the first step to be more active will also start to take a look at other things such as the food they are consuming,” she said. Heidi Mason, a personal trainer in Park Rapids, has worked in a corporate setting and has ideas for getting in some activity at work. “One thing for me is to just get up and move, even if it’s just a couple minutes,” she said. Some exercises can even be done at a desk, such as stretching or lunges. Mason promotes at least 30 minutes per day of activity and two or three days per week of strength exercises. “Try to get at least 10 minutes at a time,” she said. “But if you want to break up the 30 minutes throughout the day that’s fine.” Staying physically active in the winter can be difficult but it’s easier with the availability of fitness centers. There are also a lot of exercises that can be done at home, Mason added. “Winter is a great time to try something new,” she said. “Change up your routine. If you’re already a runner maybe
See Exercise Page 2C
BY ANNA ERICKSON aerickson@parkrapidsenterprise.com
ANNA ERICKSON / ENTERPRISE
Gere Huebner, of Park Rapids, spends time in the weight room regularly to stay in shape.
Pilot project has students tracking walks, runs O Kids learning benefits of walking BY ANNA ERICKSON aerickson@parkrapidsenterprise.com
Century physical education teacher Molly Aukes is working on a pilot project to develop a walking/jogging challenge for elementary students. Prime West Health out of Alexandria has provided the wellness grant. “We have started this with second, third and fourth graders. This activity is by choice, and is rewarded with tokens for completing 2 miles,
ANNA ERICKSON / ENTERPRISE
Students at Century School are taking advantage of walking programs. Above, middle school students walk during recess for an opportunity to exercise and socialize with friends. 5 miles, 13.1 miles and 26.2 miles,” she said. The message to the kids is that taking 5-10 minutes to walk or jog is a great health benefit to their bodies. They
can choose one day a week, one lap every day, to talk with a friend etc, “I still encourage them to play at recess as well,” Aukes said. “They need that unstruc-
tured time also.” One large lap outside is equal to one lap at the track. Four laps is a mile.
See Walking Page 3C
City officials and community agency staff were on hand to celebrate with River Heights Apartments the passing of a smoke free policy that will go into effect for their facility on Jan. 1, 2013. River Heights’ smoke-free policy was driven by the need for a healthier smoke-free environment in which to live. The residents were surveyed on their preference for a smoke-free building and issues, which could be worsened by the exposure to secondhand smoke. Sharon Voyda, Manager at River Heights Apartments says, “It is clear that the majority of residents do not want to be exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes. Smokers are still welcome here – they just need to smoke outside. We believe this policy will create a safer and healthier environment for all our residents.” Diane Brophy, St. Joseph’s Community Health Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) Coordinator organized the celebration for the residents in conjunction with the Great American Smokeout. One resident stated, “I’m so glad we are going smoke-free because we live in a building with many people who have asthma, COPD and heart disease, and these are our neighbors.” A program was held in November for residents. Nancy Carroll, the mayor of Park Rapids, presented a letter of commendation for going smoke-free. In addition to information on the effects of secondhand smoke and tips for quitting smoking, residents had an opportunity to receive information on coping with stress from Lake Country Associates, on fire safety from Park
See Smoke-free Page 4C
O Residents learn tips to quit