Today we kicked off the new year with a health and fitness mentoring session at River Rouge High School for the Women of Tomorrow (WOT) Mentor and Scholarship Program. VPG mentors and River Rouge students gathered in the school auditorium for a fitness class taught by our own Mary Bourke, VPG Powertrain Partition Program Manager, who happens to also be a certified fitness instructor with over 20 years of experience. Mary led an energizing, fast-paced work-out with fun music which was followed by a healthy lunch of turkey sandwiches, pretzels, apples, granola bars and bottled water.
Mary gave fitness tips to the girls and handed out personal monthly exercise logs and a fact sheet on exercise, encouraging the girls to keep records of their regular exercise, either on their own or with a friend. Experts recommend that teens get 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. She pulled some of her information on teen health from �Teenshealth by Nemours� online, which included basic information about three components of a well-balanced routine: aerobic exercise, strength training and flexibility training.
Also included were some highlighted rewards and benefits of teen exercise, which apply to adults as well:
- Exercise benefits every part of the body, including the mind. It can help some people sleep better and can improve mild depression and low self-esteem.
- Exercise can help you look better because it allows you to burn more calories and be more toned.
- Exercise helps people lose weight and lower the risk of some diseases, including type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
- Exercise can help a person age well, keeping your bones strong to avoid osteoporosis later in life.
VPG mentors enjoyed the fitness class with the students and shared our experiences and exercise habits over lunch, emphasizing the strong connection between healthy bodies and healthy minds. As you begin your new year, are you making resolutions to exercise more and eat better?
