West Virginia University’s Body 4 Break fitness program is encouraging students to stay on track by exercising with a “buddy.”

Body 4 Break is a body fat loss contest with the goal of helping WVU students get in shape and live a healthier lifestyle by providing plenty of motivation and education. The eight-week contest runs from Jan.18 to March 21.

This year, a “buddy” component was added to help enhance exercise adherence and increase accountability. Through communication and support, “Accountabili-Buddies” keep each other on track to achieve their goals.

The program is free and open only to full-time WVU students.

Body 4 Break teams are encouraged to sign up for up to three free personal training sessions offered at the Student Recreation Center, and are responsible for scheduling the appointments through the Web site at http://studentreccenter.wvu.edu/. Buddies requesting personal training are required to sign up for the service and train together.

For free nutritional consultations with a dietician, students can contact Nettie Freshour at Nettie.Freshour@mail.wvu.edu .

All participants are also encouraged to join the Body 4 Break Facebook group. Group members can view weekly video podcasts pertaining to healthy topics and communicate with other participants.

A Body 4 Break Boot Camp group workout will be held once a week at the recreation center. Buddies do not have to attend the workout together.

Participants who come to the recreation center at least three times each week will be entered in raffles for prizes from local businesses.

At the end of the contest, contestants may qualify for the Blue or Gold Prize. Blue Prize winners will receive a drawstring bag. To win the Blue Prize, students must have used the center at least two times each week during the program, have a body fat assessment at the end of the contest and have completed a pre/post program evaluation.

The Gold Prize will be awarded to the three teams with the greatest reduction of combined body fat.

A team of two males will receive an overnight stay at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, a vacation destination in southwest Pennsylvania featuring access to a variety of outdoor activities. Included in the prize will be 18 holes of golf for two, including cart and green fees.

A team of two females will be treated to free services at Spa Roma in Morgantown. They will be rewarded with two 30 minute hot stone massages, one facial, two pedicures and two partial highlights and cuts.

A co-ed team will receive a whitewater rafting trip for four including two nights in a rustic cabin.

To be eligible for the Gold Prize, each buddy must have reduced their body fat by at least 2 percent and must submit a pre/post contest picture.

Registration will be online during the week of Jan.11-17. To sign up or find out more about the program, go to: www.studentreccenter.wvu.edu and click on the Body 4 Break link to register.

-WVU-

cr/01/11/10

CONTACT: Nancy Oliverio, WELL WVU
304-293-5065, nancy.oliverio@mail.wvu.edu