With cooler weather settling in, it may seem more and more difficult to get out and exercise. However, the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle during the cold-weather months is recognized by the Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center (RFWC) at the University of Southern Indiana.

Assistant Program Director of Student Wellness Christine Tolis Johnston said there are legitimate factors that make it difficult for the majority of people to stay active in cold weather.

“I think, for many people, it is harder to get physical activity during the winter, and fresh fruits and vegetables are less prevalent,” she said. “But that doesn’t mean we should ignore our health.”

The plans set forth by the RFWC are designed to make it difficult for students to be ignorant toward their health and easier to keep up with a healthy amount of physical activity.

From indoor intramural sports to group exercise sessions, Assistant Director of Intramurals Joe Gratz said it would be hard not to find something to do.

“There are plenty of things to do during the (cold) weather to stay in shape just by looking at all the activities offered (by RFWC),” he said. “Not to mention all that the Rec has to offer with group exercise classes, the climbing wall, track, cardio equipment, weight equipment, courts to play on, and things to play in the game room.”

The RFWC is set to sponsor a number of events within the next few months, including a rock climbing trip, a ski trip and a caving trip. In addition, access to a personal trainer three times a week is given by the RFWC, said Gratz.

The RFWC enables students to try new things, and staff members say that there is no better time to try those things than when it is blustery outside.

“Winter is a great time to try something that you might not have experienced yet, like a new group exercise class or the Climbing Center,” said Tolis Johnston.

Despite the abundant number of activities and services offered by the RFWC, students have to take care of some things on their own, like regulating what they eat.

“Choose fruits and vegetables that are in season, such as apples, oranges, grapefruits, squash and sweet potatoes, because they are affordable,” said Tolis-Johnston. “Many people put on a couple of pounds over the holiday season but it’s easy to take it off when you get back to eating right and being active.”

Members of the RFWC staff also recommend that students get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, find healthy ways to relieve stress and wash their hands often. Between the RFWC’s help and the efforts put forth by students themselves, maintaining a healthy lifestyle while it is cold outside should not only be attainable, but ultimately fun for all.

“Our goal is to offer a lot of different activities, because someone may not like to play basketball and would rather bowl,” said Gratz. “We are hoping to have something for everybody.”

LIST OF RFWC EVENTS: Indoor Volleyball League, 11/5-12/3 Indoor Rock Climbing Trip to Vertical Excape, 11/17 Laser Tag, Putt Putt, and games at Walther’s Fun Center, 11/29 Badminton Singles & Doubles Tourney, 12/4 Table Tennis Singles & Doubles Tourney, 1/22-1/23 Billiards Tourney, 1/24 Basketball League, 1/28-3/7 Bowling League, 1/29-2/26 Midnight Magic Ski Trip, 2/2-2/3 Indoor Rock Climbing Trip to Vertical eXcape, 2/16 Ice Skating Trip, 2/17 Swim Meet, 2/21 Coed Volleyball League, 3/18-4/9 Hawaiian Glo Bowling at Franklin Lanes, 3/26 Marengo Caving Trip, 4/6