|
New year, new goals
Special to To
The Times
Matt Pera
Communications Director Porter County Parks and
Recreation
Posted: Monday, January 9, 2012
PORTER COUNTY
| Every January, people use the new year as a time to
make resolutions. And, more often than not, those
resolutions have to do with exercising more, eating
healthier and dropping a few pounds.
Porter County
Parks and Recreation has put together several programs
that begin in January and are aimed at helping people
accomplish the fitness goals they set for 2012.
"A new year provides much-needed motivation to be better
people, exercise more often and eat more nutritiously,"
said Sara Grassmeyer, wellness coordinator for the
Porter County Parks and Recreation Department. "The new
year marks new beginnings, and what better way to
celebrate than to start with a fresh workout routine?"
The Couch to
Foot Pursuit program begins Jan. 14 and will help new
runners prepare for their first 5K race March 3. They
will receive training routines catered specifically to
their fitness levels, and learn to train successfully
without injury.
This program
will take place from 8 to 9 a.m. Saturdays from Jan. 14
to Feb. 25 at Sunset Hill Farm County Park, 775 Meridian
Road in Valparaiso. The fee is $50, which covers the
race registration, a detailed weekly training schedule,
guidance from a certified group fitness instructor, and
weekly email check-ins that feature workout tips.
For runners
who are more experienced, or are interested in running
with a group, Porter County Parks and Recreation offers
a free Run Club from 8 to 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
year-round. These group fun runs cover the many trails
at Sunset Hill Farm, going five miles or longer.
"Every one of
our fitness programs in January is offered to
participants of all levels," Grassmeyer said. "All
instructors will start simple and include progressive
instruction for participants interested in taking their
fitness to the next level. There will be modifications
offered throughout every class to ensure all
participants are successful and building confidence to
continue their learned skills throughout the new year."
For those who
want to try an alternative to running, a Snowshoeing
Class is available at Sunset Hill Farm. This class costs
$5 and takes place from 8 to 9 a.m. Saturdays through
March, depending on the weather. Equipment is provided,
and participants get a chance to explore the trails at
the park while burning up to 45 percent more calories
than running.
Porter County
Parks and Recreation will also offer a free Indoor
Weights class from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturdays from Jan. 14
to Feb. 25 at the Sunset Hill Farm Interpretive Center,
next to the playground. This class is designed to
improve strength, fitness and balance, combining
traditional exercises with inventive strategies.
Grassmeyer
said people will be encouraged to mix and match the
fitness programs to create their own specially designed
fitness routine.
"I hope that
participants choose classes that work with their
schedules and goals while supplementing their current
fitness regimen," Grassmeyer said. "Hopefully
participants find new activities that enable them to try
new things to further encourage a healthy lifestyle."
To register
for any of these upcoming fitness programs, or for more
information, contact Sara Grassmeyer at (219) 707-8281
or sgrassmeyer@porterco.org. Grassmeyer also offers a
wellness blog every Friday at http://pcparksandrec.blogspot.com
with helpful tips and information about personal
fitness. |
