Chaparral

Chaparral wants you to be healthy!

Everyone knows there are real concerns in our country about the health and fitness of the American people. Both young and old, our rates of high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and other problems are growing. Many of these ailments can be prevented or controlled through self-care, including appropriate diet and exercise.
    GCC has always tried to support our health indirectly through offering good health coverage and promoting our use of the Fitness Center.
     But we all work long hours, and in many cases, our work is mostly sedentary. So how can we fit in our "self-care" activities?
     Chaparral asked YOU what you do, both on and off campus, to keep healthy.

Here are some answers. Maybe some will inspire you!

I go to a health club on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday mornings and do 1/2 hour of walking on the treadmill and about 20 minutes on the weight machines. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday I walk for about 1/2 hour. I also count my calories Sunday through Thursday to lose weight (I have lost about a pound a week, 40 pounds thus far). Friday and Saturday I don't count calories.

Tony Biehl, Business Division

I do not skip a single day:

working out with light weights for 1/2 hour
speed walking 1.5 miles in 20 minutes on the treadmill or on the track
starting the day with fruit juice, oatmeal, and flax seed
trying to eat small portions of healthy food.

Sid Kolpas, Math Division

I keep a snack of lightly salted almonds in a Ziploc bag in my glove compartment, and I always have a bottle of water in my car. These two items get me through lots of missed lunches, in a healthy way, as I drive from one campus or job to another.

Phyllis Eckler, Dance Department

Exercise: 5:45 - 6:45 am. Thirty minutes on the stationary bike, 20 minutes with the Bowflex exercise ball/exercise bands, and 10 minutes of stretch six days per week
Tip: If I don't do it in the morning, I don't do it at all.
Diet: Mostly vegetarian. I make sure I have 2-3 servings of fruit with breakfast, consisting of oats, and whole grain cereal.
Lunch: Always a big salad with nuts and dried berries (I bring my own).
Tea: Yogurt and a couple of light cookies, or sprouted bread with almond butter.
Dinner: a light cooked meal, heavy on vegetables.
Dessert: Yes, a little bit of sherbet, something yummy and chocolate once a week.
I have been eating this way since last summer. I do feel great, and my cholesterol is down to 140 (from 300).

Dora Krannig, Dance Department

I'm enrolled in a running class taught by Eddie Lopez at GCC. He is an amazing coach! I have learned so much about my technique, and I have significantly improved in my time! This is my second semester in his class, and I plan on continuing with it for quite some time. In addition, he was recently named "Coach of the Year" in California: talk about getting a good coach!

Joanna Saporito