Well, start walkin’
Time to get off the couch, walk out the front door, and not look back until home is but a distant memory. Now keep it up for six weeks.
U of T has just launched its first pedometer challenge, designed to get students and staff to be more physically active. The program will encourage participants to find ways to walk more on a daily basis, which is a simple way for the majority of people on campus to improve their physical health.
“Walking is one of the easiest ways for people to increase their activity levels,” says Liz Hoffman, assistant dean of co-curricular education for the Faculty of Physical Education and Health. “Although the challenge is for everyone at U of T, we’re really gearing it towards students.”
Taking the stairs whenever possible, walking after dinner instead of watching television, and getting off the subway a stop early and walking are just some of the ways that participants can increase their daily number of steps.
This challenge is an unofficial launch and introduction to U of T’s new ActiveU initiative. The goals of ActiveU are to raise the level of physical activity among members of this university and to stress the benefits of healthy, fit living.
There is absolutely no cost to take part in the pedometer challenge. If you don’t have a pedometer, you can rent one from the Athletic Centre for a refundable $12 deposit.
The program will run in two 6-week intervals, the first of which goes from September 26 to December 18. The second session runs from January 16 to April 9.
More information on this event and other ActiveU initiatives can be found at www.utoronto.ca/physical and activeu.ac-fpeh.com.
They’re gonna need a stiff drink after this one
The men’s lacrosse team was hoping to score a victory or two last weekend, as they took on Brock and McMaster. Winning was not in the cards against these opponents, though, as the Badgers and Marauders came to win.
The Blues (0-3) got crushed by the undefeated Brock Badgers (3-0) in the first affair of the weekend. The score in the match was 21-8, as Brock showed why they have won the last three Baggataway Cups. This was certainly a dominant performance for the team named after a really odd creature.
Badgers? We don’t need no stinking Badgers!!
The Blues were much more competitive in the second game of the weekend, which was at home against the McMaster Marauders. Unfortunately, the result was the same as the Brock match, as the Marauders took home a hard-fought 8-6 victory.
Tony Walker had a hat trick for McMaster in the contest, and teammate Tommy Harley had a goal and three assists. Dan Fleming and Nick Reed played well for the Blues in the loss, contributing two goals each in the losing cause.
The Blues will now travel to Western this Friday to see if they can spoil the Mustangs’ homecoming and bring a win back to Toronto. The team does not play their next home game until October 23, when they will take on Queen’s on Back Campus.
