Katherine Orfinger
In Motion Staff Writer
It’s almost that time of year where everyone’s New Year’s resolutions fall to the wayside. At the beginning of 2018, many students vowed to get healthy, whether it was losing weight, quitting smoking, or giving up soda, but by now, resolutions have been forgotten and students are going back to old ways.
Daytona State’s Fitness Center is a great resource that students can take advantage of to stay on track with their health goals. Students can use the state-of-the-art aerobic and weight training equipment, as well as the Aquatic Center and its Olympic size pool, or take group and aquatic fitness classes.
Laura Anderson, manager of DSC’s Aquatic and Fitness Center, says it is, “completely equipped with, state-of-the-art weight training and aerobic equipment. The facility houses a 19-piece Cybex resistance training circuit and 3.2 tons of free weights. There is a -31-piece aerobic arena featuring stair climbers, treadmills, elliptical trainers, spinning bikes, recumbent and stationary bikes, rowing machines, and Airdynes.”
The center also has a 25-yard by 25-meter indoor competitive pool, heated to a comfortable 82 degrees. Some students may find the idea of visiting the school gym daunting, but Anderson says, “The first visit is the hardest.”
She elaborates on the benefits of exercising at Daytona State’s Fitness Center, saying that, “Not only do you have equipment that you probably don’t have at home, but you are also under the supervision of our Red Cross Certified staff who are there to keep you safe as well as staff who specialize in fitness to help guide you on your journey. We are here to help your wellness journey.”
In fact, Daytona State is so committed to students’ health that the Fitness Center offers a free consultation for first-time visitors to help orient them to the gym and establish goals. Additionally, the fitness and aquatic centers both have equipment designed with disabled students in mind. “We are happy to sit down with the student during a consultation and make adaptations to various exercises to meet their needs and abilities,” says Anderson.
While the college does not provide individualized nutritional counseling, students wishing to learn more about making healthy dietary choices can take Human and/or Sports Nutrition classes for three credit hours.
According to professor Mary Olshefski, Human Nutrition is about, “nutrition through the life cycle.” Sports Nutrition she says focuses on “fueling for performance.” She added that nutrition professors give talks throughout the college at various clubs and classes, public speaking that is a carry-over from her previous job.
Olshefski is a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics and was health fitness dietitian at Halifax Medical Center’s Health and Fitness Center for almosts 10 years before coming to DSC. She performed nutrition assessments, developed nutrition care plans, counseled patients/athletes on diet and lifestyle changes and provided public speaking services for business and civic groups on behalf of the hospital.
For busy college students looking for healthier habits, Professor Oleshfski recommends grab-and-go items, such as turkey roll-ups, yogurt and granola. She also recommends that students seek personalized nutrition advice from a registered dietitian, not a nutritionist.
“‘Nutritionist’ is a title that can be used by anyone,” she explained. “Always go with the registered dietitian. It’s a matter of public health.”
While no credentials are required to maintain the title of “nutritionist,” says Professor Olshefski, a registered dietitian is, “a health professional for nutritional counselling/assessment who has completed a program of study from an accredited college or university, and completed internship or a master’s degree with a supervised work experience. A registered dietitian will have to take a national registration exam, and in many states, also maintain a license.”
The L. Gale Lemerand Fitness Center is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 to 5 Fridays. They are closed on weekend.
Memberships vary, depending on your position at the College. Students with current ID cards, pay $45 for four months or $100 per year. If they want to add one family member, who they must be living with, the costs it $100 and $230, respectively. Family memberships are $125 for four months and $315 annually.
For Information on memberships visit the Lemerand Center, Building 310 Room 127 on the Daytona Beach Campus or email Email: aquatic@DaytonaState.edu The phone number is 386-506-4FUN (506-4386)