So, you need a little nudge to follow through on that New Year's resolution to start exercising and get fit? Or some help kicking your nasty nicotine habit before the medical campus goes smoke free March 1?
Come to the Medical Wellness Center tomorrow (Wednesday) between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and you'll get that push, and have a little fun, too.
Members and non-members alike are invited to the center's third annual New Year kickoff, an event designed to grab the fence-sitters and excuse-makers who meant to start 2010 off on a healthier note.
"We are trying to capture those individuals who might be thinking about it but don't know if they're ready or haven't quite followed through,'' said Director Gail Haldeman.
"We'll have a lot of activities where they can come and get a sense of what we offer. With insurance rates and health care costs going up, we're particularly focused on prevention and helping people understand that there are little things they can do that will help a lot.''
Dean Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., an exercise enthusiast who practices what he preaches, will kick off the event with remarks at 11 a.m. Sebastian the Ibis will arrive at noon.
Vendors will be on hand and snacks, prizes and demonstrations will be available, as will information on the Genetics, Exercise and Research, or GEAR, study now underway at the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics.
The GEAR study team, which hopes to identify genetic and lifestyle factors that influence how people respond to physical activity, is recruiting healthy individuals willing to participate in a 12-week exercise training program. Participants will receive two free blood tests and cholesterol screenings, pre and post fitness assessments, a month of supervised training and a tailor-made exercise program.
For more information on the New Year kickoff, contact Nicole Nagel at 305-243-7694 or nnagel@med.miami.edu.
