Cherie Bronsky, the fitness director of Sun City Hilton Head, answers some questions about what her department has coming up in 2012.
Q. I’ve heard a lot about the Weigh to Go program. What will I get out of it?
A. Signing up for Weigh to Go will help you reach your health and wellness goals. It’s not your typical diet or weight loss plan. Weigh to Go is an eight-week, comprehensive weight management program that includes eating strategies, exercise classes, and learning new habits and behaviors. You will lose weight, learn strategies to keep the weight off and become a healthier person. Besides exercise and nutrition classes, there will be a grocery shopping tour and optional cooking classes offered. Miss South Carolina Bree Boyce is also scheduled to speak to participants. Her story is amazing as she once weighed 235 pounds.
Enrollment cost is $120, but if you reach the winner’s criteria of losing 10 pounds, you’ll get most of your sign up costs back. You can sign up at either the Hidden Cypress or Purrysburg Fitness Center.
Weigh to Go will kick off on Wellness Day, which is Jan. 9 this year.
Q. What is Wellness Day? Can I attend if I don’t sign up for Weigh To Go?
A. You absolutely can attend Wellness Day if you are not participating in Weigh to Go; it’s open to the entire community. Wellness Day is designed to get your New Year started off on a healthy track. We have a great lineup of speakers from Hilton Head and Coastal Carolina Hospitals. Chef Brooks Rinehart will demonstrate how to make easy and healthy snacks before and after each lecture, and will provide free samples. You can buy your ticket today at either fitness center. Come with a friend and save! Tickets are $3 per person or $5 for two tickets.
More information can be found in your SunSations or in eNews Weekly.
Q. Your department is now named the Health & Wellness Department. What prompted the name change?
A. I want to take the department in a new direction. Fitness is one component of good health. Health and wellness encompasses a holistic approach.
Q. What is the Health & Wellness Series?
A. We are inviting local experts into our community every month to provide health and wellness educational lectures. We plan to include lectures in seven areas of wellness: The physical, spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional, vocational and environmental aspects of aging well. These lectures will be informative and fun! Most lectures will be free but occasionally there will be a small fee to cover food costs.
A schedule of speakers will be available in SunSations and in the Fitness Centers.
Q. Are there any new aerobics classes next year?
A. Yes! We are excited to introduce a number of new aerobics classes. Aqua Zumba® with Chamoni, Basic Yoga with Cassie Kristoff, Fitilates (formally Pilates) with Ray, Introduction to Yoga with Beth Haynes and Yoga for the Rest of Us with John Ryhan will be added to our regular schedule of classes. See your January issue of SunSations for more a description, time, day and location of each class. New classes start the first week of January.
Q. I’m a physically challenged active adult. Do you have any specific programs for me?
A. Ron Zaluski, the assistant fitness director, will conduct a free Physically Challenged Active Adults Fitness Orientation from 1–3 p.m. Jan. 25 at Hidden Cypress in the Okatie River Room. Space is limited, so be sure to sign up at the Hidden Cypress Fitness Center front desk.
Q. Do you offer any other programs besides fitness classes and wellness lectures?
A. We’ll be bringing back Chef Brooks Rinehart to demonstrate how to make healthy and tasty dishes. Demonstrations will take place from 6:30–7:30 p.m. each Thursday night from Jan. 12-Feb. 23 at Hidden Cypress Savannah River Room. A sample taste offerings and recipes are included with all demonstrations. The menus include: marinades and vinaigrettes, vegetables, super foods, healthy appetizers, heart healthy, fish and desserts. Class size is limited. Purchase your tickets early at either fitness center. Cost $15 per person.