Nutrition-focused Wellness Wednesdays, free fitness classes and walking challenge return this fall
As the semester gets into full swing, keep in mind the many opportunities available right here at UF to help you take care of yourself and be your best.
Wellness Wednesdays
The first Wednesday of every month, you’re invited to join us in person or online for our lunchtime wellness series. Register to attend in-person via myTraining or sign up for the wellness listserv by emailing hrs-wellness@ufl.edu to learn more about how to tune in online.
OCT. 3
Mindless vs. Mindful Eating
Jessie Furman, MS, RDN, LD/N, Registered Dietician & Coordinator of Nutrition, UF Recreational Sports
Where do you fall on the mindless versus mindful eating margin? We make more than 200 food choices in a day, and mindlessness can easily become a trait associated with overeating and reduced contentment with food. Mindful eating is not a diet; it involves a heightened sense of consciousness and awareness to promote greater satisfaction.
NOV. 7
Florida Vegetable Gardening 101
Melissa DeSa, Community Programs Director, Working Food
Learn the basics for getting started on growing some of your own edibles in Florida. Here, our climate and soils are vastly different from the rest of the country’s, so we’ll review some of the tips, tricks and resources to get you off to a good start! We’ll cover garden planning, variety selection, soil building and more.
DEC. 5
Seasons Eating: Fresh from the Farm
Anna Prizzia, MS, Program Director and Campus Food Systems Coordinator, and Dina Liebowitz, PhD, Program Coordinator, Field & Fork Campus Food Program
Learn what’s growing in winter farms and gardens. Check out the UF/IFAS Field and Fork Farm and get tips, tricks and great new recipes to eat fresh all season long.
Free Fitness Classes
Did you know UF-UF Health Wellness offers free fitness classes to faculty and staff? Be sure to check out any of the following that fit your schedule and your fitness goals. To learn more about these and other opportunities, be sure to visit the UFHR WorkLife website.
- Pilates, Saturdays, 9:45–11:15 a.m. at Tanglewood Village Commons Room, 2919 SW 13th St.
- Yoga, Tuesdays, 12:15–1 p.m. at Ustler Hall Atrium, 162 Fletcher Drive
- Outdoor Fitness Adventure, Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. at the north gates of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, near the glass doors and gator statue
Fall Walking Challenge
GatorCare’s Fall Walking Challenge begins Monday, Oct. 8, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 4. The themed “Transylvania Trek” challenge will take teams through virtual haunted and historic locations across Eastern Europe over the course of four weeks when they sign up to use a new Walker Tracker application to manage their team’s steps.
Walker Tracker syncs with most devices, including phone apps, so no pedometer is necessary! Form your team (four to 20 employees), designate your team captain, decide which division you will compete in (divisions range from ‘light to ‘ultra competitive’) and get registered. All UF and UF Health employees are eligible and all team members will need to create an account with Walker Tracker.
Register early to secure your team name. To learn more and find registration instructions, visit gatorcare.org/walkingchallenge.