LSO ends first health and wellness week

By: Ashley Roshon

Posted: 3/18/10

Plates cradling pictures of delicious food dot the Cru Club, inciting curious intakes of breath from spectators.

While a favorite appetizer from Applebee's is a staple of college students' diets, its 1,800 calories may stop students in their tracks.

This was the goal of the Life Sciences Organization headed by President Amber Slezak. Health and Wellness Week, a national collegiate health awareness program made its debut at Capital last week.

"I think, especially college students, when we think of wellness, we think you're at the gym four hours a day, but that is not the case," said Katie O'Shaughnessy, vice president of service.

"There's so many aspects like emotional wellness, spiritual wellness, and physical wellness."

Each day presented a different aspect beginning with sexual health and relationship, where volunteers passed out condoms and heard an informative speech about healthy relationships, co-sponsored with It's Abuse.

A health fair addressed the physical needs of students by offering blood pressure tests,BMI readings and booths dedicated to It's Abuse and Relay for Life.

The following day issued a corn on the cob contest.

O'Shaughnessy commented that only three of the ten competitors were from the LSO.

"And also we had our [food] plates with our 'eat this not that' all over the Cru Club, which was kind of ironic," O'Shaughnessy said.

Competition brewed Thursday during the obstacle course where six teams of two competed in a gym-style course, complete with tires, jumping jacks and basketball.

"It was the most enjoyable because the people who came were really excited and a lot of the ROTC guys came, so it was very competitive between them because they're all friends so you heard them yelling and shouting at each other and trying to throw each other off," Slezak said.

The final day focused on relaxation through a yoga lesson from Gail Sky, but in addition, the Mr. and Ms. Fit winners were announced. The winners were Stacey Rauch and Chris Philhower.

"As a whole, [aspects of physical, emotional and spiritual health] can lead to a very healthy individual, and someone that I think a lot of students can admire and take note of," O'Shaugnessy said.

Chris Philhower, senior and ROTC student, advised that physical activity is essential to a healthy life. In terms of eating, he avoids fast food and fried food.

"I usually do about two workouts a day on average, and then that's supplemented with longer runs, army training during the week, and on top of that, I'm an avid rock climber, all of which are a bit strenuous, but they're all fun" he said.

When asked what steps it takes to maintain a healthy lifestyle, Rauch commented that it takes a lot of effort. "You have to be very self-aware and know your habits, and know what you're tempted to do," Rauch said.

The Life Sciences organization, began in 1999, focuses on personal and professional development through community service. Even though it is primarily thought to be open to only science majors, it's actually open to all Capital students, Slezak said.

By Ashley Roshon
Editorial staff
aroshon@capital.edu