Stay on TRAC this summer!

By Courtney Westlake




Summer is here – finally! – and that means it’s time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather.

“Some great activities that you can do in the summer include riding your bike, walking, running, gardening - all the things you like to do outdoors; it's the perfect time of year to get started,” said Amanda Jillson, assistant director of fitness and instructional programs for TRAC.

Summer also provides a great opportunity to take advantage of the breaks that you have between classes and while at work to get outside and walk on UIS’ beautiful campus, Jillson pointed out.

“If you’re interested in walking routes, go ahead and contact me; I can give you a route that is broken down in mileage from one building to another, or a maybe a one-mile route around campus, so that could be a good way to get in your exercise on your lunch hour or in between classes,” she said.

TRAC's memberships are on sale right now, so head on over to TRAC to purchase a summer membership. Some group fitness classes available this summer are the 6-Pack Attack, Circuit WorX and P90X.

6-Pack Attack is a 30-minute abs class that focuses on your core: your abs and your back. The class is an excellent compliment to your cardiovascular workouts and helps to improve posture and toned abs. It is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the multi-purpose room.

Circuit WorX combines cardio segments and muscular conditioning with free weights and strength machines to provide a total body workout. It is held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 6 p.m. in TRAC Fitness Area 1.

“It’s a 30-minute total body blast class, so that’s going to be a good option,” Jillson said.

And the very popular P90X class is designed to transform your body from regular to tone in 10 weeks, using an advanced training technique called “Muscle Confusion,” which speeds your results by changing your routine so your body never runs into a rut or plateau. P90X is held five days a week from 12 to 1 p.m.; Monday, Wednesday and Friday are for strength training, and Tuesday and Thursday focus on cardiovascular exercise.

Registration is required for P90X and is open through Friday, June 5 at 5 p.m. Contact Jillson if you are interested in registering at 206-8400 or ajill2@uis.edu.

Jillson also recommended another program on campus, called the Weight Watchers at Work program.

“You may have read about it from campus emails, and I think it’s a great opportunity for people to get involved,” she said. “If you’re needing assistance on your nutrition and exercise side, it’s a good opportunity and the class is going to be held right on campus. For more information, contact Rebecca Dickerson at 206-7237.”

“Whatever you do,” Jillson added, “get out and enjoy the great weather this summer and Stay on TRAC with your nutrition and exercise!”

Making Positive Choices

By Courtney Westlake






Being healthy is all about making choices that are beneficial and positive to your body. Whether it's choices about exercise or diet, people need to concentrate on staying on track through their personal choices every day.

"Life is all about choices, from our nutrition to how much sleep we get and other parts of our lifestyle,” said Amanda Jillson, assistant director of fitness and instructional programs at TRAC. “The choices we make heavily impact our lives and definitely affects the way we look and feel.”

The campus offers many kinds of food options for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Each day is the opportunity for a new and positive choice.

“For instance, if you would like a burger from The Grille in the Food Emporium, that's an OK choice, but try to pair it with a side salad or the steamed vegetables instead of French fries to make it a better choice for lunch,” she said. “If you really want something that’s maybe a little less healthy, pair it with something from the salad bar or something more healthy to make it a better choice overall for your meal.”

“I always hear from students and others: ‘I'm tired of the same old thing’. Well maybe you are getting tired of the same thing because you're making the same old choices,” Jillson explained.

For those that may need a little help with making good food choices, TRAC offers a meal planning program.

“So if you have questions or would like to put a meal plan together, come and see me, and we'll go over some healthy or better choices you can make with the options offered right here on campus,” Jillson said.

Each day provides a new opportunity to make good choices that will have a positive impact on your body.

“Whatever choices you have made, it's in the past,” Jillson said. “So if you made a choice about your diet or exercise or doing your homework or meeting a deadline, don't have regrets; move forward. If you don't feel you made a good choice, you have the opportunity to make a better one next time.”

Improve flexibility, strength and mental focus with Karate

By Courtney Westlake



Do you want to strengthen your body, mind and spirit?

"Then our karate class could be a good option for you," said Amanda Jillson, assistant director of fitness and instructional programs for TRAC.

Karate and other martial arts are extremely beneficial for the body and help to improve strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, stamina and posture. Karate has also been found to improve attitude and self-confidence.

"The curriculum our instructor uses is based upon increasing your physical power and your flexibility, as well as your mental focus," Jillson said. "Karate is also a good aerobic health exercise."

TRAC's karate class is suitable for any current fitness level and ability, Jillson said. Renshi Dan Barham teaches the course. The next session begins March 23, the week after spring break, and runs until May 13.

The cost for the class is $20 for 7 weeks. The class meets twice a week on Mondays and Wednesday from 4 to 5:15 p.m. There is a maximum of 20 participants for the class and a minimum of fve.

"So it's a really great price, a great class and just what you need to finish out the semester," Jillson said.