WAT! Adult - College Edition WALK Newsletter #3 – March 21st, 2022

W – WOW: College Edition Update

Happy Spring, y’all! Our clocks have sprung forward, and the April showers are coming early! 

Spring brings change, and let’s be real, change can be uncomfortable. Sometimes, we want things to slow down and not change so much, and sometimes things don’t seem to change quickly enough. Of course, the one thing we can count on is that things will change. Even when change is welcomed and wanted, the process of change itself can create lots of stress. 

Fortunately, we can practice mindfulness that can help with stress. Mindfulness meditation practice may help wandering minds to focus and fully experience the present moment—all by applying nonjudgmental thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Mindfulness is a way of living and a method intended to pave the path for a complete awakening.

Practicing mindfulness could help eliminate issues or thoughts that often act as barriers to an active and healthier life. Being mindful about being active means that we use the awareness of our body and thoughts to engage in enjoyable, safe, and beneficial physical activity.

Here are mindful tips related to physical activity: 

• Take a moment to assess your body for pain and aches, and adjust your activity goals, if needed.
• Remember that physical activity is self-care. 
• Use proper posture during exercise and everyday activities to prevent injury.
• Focus your attention on your movement or your breathing pattern.

Review the above tips and try to apply some or even one of the strategies with mindful living. This upcoming week try to connect with someone you haven't spoken to in a while. Also, allow yourself some personal time to reflect. If you can, unplug from social media and technology. Go outdoors to connect with nature and get some fresh air.

While being mindful and present, you can welcome change. As you walk outside, you may notice beautiful spring colors that are changing. In fact, if you visit The Gardens at Texas A&M University, the first blue (and maroon – whoop!) bonnets are blooming!

Those colors are a wonderful reminder of the magnificence of change. Hopefully, your Walk Across Texas! journey is just another example of a wonderful change. We know it might have been rough sometimes along the way, but overall, the changes that can be made with regular physical activity are worthwhile!

A – Action

Here are upcoming selected events during Week 6 – March 19^th – 25^th: 

Boxing Bootcamp @ Student Recreation Center – In-Person – Free Week (03/21 – 03/25) M/W 6:15 AM - 7:15 AM; T/Th 5:30 AM - 6:30 AM – Click the link to register for limited spots

Creative Corner – Virtual – Wednesday (03/23) at 2:00 PM – Click link to register

De-Stress Fest @ Student Rec Center – In-person – Wednesday (03/23) at 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Click the link to learn more

*Brazos County WAT! Event* – Line Dancing Class – Virtual – Wednesday (03/23) at 6:00 PM – Click the link to register

The 12th Can Campus Food Drive – In-Person – Available until March 23^rd – Click the link to learn more

Books That Health Out: National Nutrition Month Book & Resource Display – In-Person – Available until March 31^st – Click the link to learn more

L – Leaderboard

For the 2022 TAMU College Edition league, we have 180 participants on 45 teams and a whopping 9,695.68 miles collectively! 

Speaking of change, let’s do another check in on our current leaderboard:

*Mileage as of Monday, March 14^th at 11:00 AM 

K – Knowledge – Being Involved

Here at Texas A&M, we are fortunate to have an abundance of recreational facilities and countless organizations that engage in physical activity or encourage it through philanthropic means. Being involved during your time at A&M is essential. Graduation will come knocking at your door before you realize it. That said, it is vital to develop yourself professionally, academically, and physically during college. If you are looking for a slower-paced, gradual approach to activity, enrolling in a KINE 120, 199, or 223 class might be a good option for you. Over 50 types of exercise and physical activity classes are available in these elective courses. Classes are open to all students at all levels of experience. Suppose you already have a heavy coursework load. In that case, TAMU Rec Sports offers group Rexercise, specialty classes/boot camps, wellness coaching, personal/small group training, and other various fitness events throughout the school year. These are easy, time considerate ways to sustain routine amounts of exercise weekly. Even more, there are organizations on campus, such as TAMU CHAARG, that provide students with the opportunity to take part in exercise with the same group of individuals year-round, like the Walk Across Texas! Adult program. 

Now we know this may all seem like a lot of info, and by no means are we trying to overwhelm you. We are simply trying to encourage you to take advantage of the countless opportunities our university has to offer. On that note, we would like to leave you with a challenge for the week. During this upcoming week, try to find a class, fitness event, or organization on campus that interests you and learn more about it. We are not implying that you must sign up for one of them, but we hope you will consider it due to your efforts. Have a wonderful week and keep on stepping! 

Various opportunities at Texas A&M University: 

Recreational Sports (Rec Sports)

The Physical Education Activity Program (PEAP)

Student Life – Health Promotion

TAMU Calendar of Events

FitLife Program

Living Well at Texas A&M