WHAT ONE INTERIM CLASS LEARNED ABOUT ACHIEVING AN ALL-AROUND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE—

Movie marathons, sleepovers every night, extra time to pick up those hobbies you didn’t have time for last semester – these are the things that many Wofford students look forward to during interim. But for one class, the month of January was about more than just taking it easy. Professors Kara Bopp and Kirsten Krick-Aigner led a class on exploring the latest fads in the fitness world.

Along with their 24 students, they participated in several exercise programs weekly, including CrossFit, Pure Barre, yoga, zumba, spinning and kickboxing.

Bopp explains that she wanted her students to learn something that would be useful for the rest of their lives.

“Our goals for the fitness Interim were to allow students to try a variety of programs before making decisions about them, to understand the wide-ranging benefits of fitness and to become educated consumers by knowing what questions to ask in regards to the latest fitness fads.”

Bopp and Krick-Aigner made sure that the class did not fall into the misconception of thinking that living a fit lifestyle was only about exercise. Guest speakers lectured every day, with two of those days being devoted to a nutritionist.

“Interim taught me a lot about nutrition, and about thinking of the food I eat as fuel for my body instead of something that tastes good,” says Freshman Caroline Rohlfing. “Eating healthy in college is hard, but I’m trying to keep healthier snacks around my dorm.”

Another misconception these students faced was that being fit and being athletic are the same.

“Fitness is not just being able to run a marathon. In addition to endurance, it also includes strength and flexibility.

‘Working-out’ does not have to be a heart-pumping run. There are many ways to exercise, and it is beneficial to try a large variety of types in order to attain the overall fitness that has life-long benefits,” explains Bopp.

Sophomore golfer Katy Funk agrees.

“This Interim has encouraged me to figure out what works for me personally. Since I’m on the golf team, weightlifting and practice are obviously non-negotiable.

But I learned that I can incorporate my own health components and become an even better athlete. I think it’s cool you can move the body so many different ways and in so many different intensities, that even the pickiest of people can find an activity they enjoy.”

The class also read two books during the month, “Spark” by John J. Ratey and “The First 20 Minutes” by

Gretchen Reynolds. They explored the positive effects of physical activity on things such as anxiety, depression, stress and aging.

“One of the most valuable things I’ve learned this Interim is the biological necessity for us to exercise,” says freshman Elisabeth Blackman. “I hope to incorporate it into my daily schedule during the coming semester and treat it as something my body needs, just like sleep.”

Sophomore Alex Arsi has also discovered the importance of exercise for a balanced life. “I always say I don’t have time to workout, because I’m too stressed with school. But I’ve learned that it could be good to take a break and go to a Pure Barre class or do yoga. It’s some thing I need to make time for.”

The Interim stressed that although college can be grueling, students will be more successful if they find ways of being the healthiest version of themselves.

“If our bodies are not functioning like they should be, we will not perform like we should,” says Arsi. “Students need to understand that college is four years, but our bodies need to last a lifetime.”