Steven Melendez // Contributing Writer
There are many factors to be mindful of when maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but getting your daily exercises can be one of the most challenging.
This is exactly the kind of behavior modification Nathan Burandt, benefits and wellness manager for Panthers Wellness Active Services and Human Resources, is bringing to the FIU community by introducing the PAWS to Move challenge.
“We wanted to challenge the faculty and staff to be more active, to take part in their wellness, and we wanted to let them know that FIU really cares about them,” Burandt said on the purpose for creating this challenge.
Each individual and team is required to keep a log of the exercise they perform within a six-week period, starting March 13.
“We’re going to be on the honor system and if anybody is utilizing a fitness tracker or an app, then they have to send me the aggregate data at the end of the week, so that I can see a screenshot of their dashboard,” said Burandt in regards of how he will receive the log.
With registration closed, over 800 people and 100 teams have registered for the challenge and out of those participating, there will be five individual winners and three team winners. Winners will be notified on Friday, April 28.
Participants who track 1,500 minutes – or 25 hours – of activity will be entered into a raffle for a free 30-minute massage, kayaking at the Biscayne Bay Campus or a $25 Gift Card from GoRunMiami.
Nathan Burandt views this program as the stepping stone to bigger things.
“After the six weeks, since this is a pilot, this is going to be going toward a much bigger program in the fall,” he added.
Some students expressed their interest in the challenge.
“I work out regularly already, so I’d definitely be interested in the challenge,” said Jhonathan Ramirez, a junior studying chemistry. “This would be a great way for me to compare myself to other workout junkies around campus.”
The PAWS to Move challenge definitely seems to be bringing out a competitive side to exercising, which is sure to show great results, according to Burandt.
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