The UNL Wellness Initiative is rolling out Husker Challenge, a nine-week, campus-wide program focused on physical activity, nutrition and environmental sustainability. The program runs Oct. 4 to Dec. 4 and is open to all UNL faculty, staff and students.

“The program used to be an annual event for Campus Rec members,” said Kimberly Barrett, wellness coordinator for UNL. “But, it’s such a good program, we wanted to expand it campuswide. We want to get people motivated so the entire campus can move together toward a healthy lifestyle.”

Husker Challenge participants collect points every week for meeting goals in the three focus areas. For example, goals for one week might include walking 30 minutes on three days, adding five servings of fruits and vegetables and recycling plastic bottles at work.

Campus Rec members can attend free workshops and services in areas such as strength training for women, the climbing wall and body composition analysis. However, you do not need to be a member to take part in the challenge.

“Activities can be done anywhere, anytime. You can meet your goals by working out at home or at another gym or health club,” said Barrett. “And we’ll be awarding bonus points for attending other wellness events on campus.”

Participants that meet weekly goals will be eligible for prizes. At the end of the nine weeks, participants who accumulate the required points for each week will be eligible for a grand prize drawing.

For more information, go to http://wellness.unl.edu or contact Katie James at katiejames@unlnotes.unl.edu.

— Story by Mary Jane Bruce, University Communications

This is a new monthly column highlighting elements of UNL’s wellness initiative. For more information, contact Troy Fedderson at tfedderson2@unl.edu or 472-8515.

Join the Challenge!

Sign up by Oct. 11. Fill out and return a registration form at UNL Campus Rec Centers (East or City Campus) and pay the $12 fee.

Attend a free fitness pre-assessment. You’ll be tested for physical fitness, strength and flexibility to set baseline data. Fitness assessments will be held for Campus Rec members in the CRec Fitness Room on Oct. 4, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Non-Campus Rec members will be tested at the Nebraska Union on Oct. 5, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or at the East Union, Oct. 6, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The fitness assessments will begin every half hour and no appointment is needed.

Meet your goals and enter your points weekly on a specially designated Blackboard page.

Attend the fitness post-assessment in December and enjoy your new, improved fitness level. The Grand Prize drawing will be held during the post-fitness assessments times and the prizes are a Nintendo Wii (for Campus Rec members) or one of three one-month memberships to Campus Rec (for non-members).