My Television is My Trainer

Though gym membership traditionally increases in January, February can find many of us wanting to stay out of the cold and work out at home. For those who do stay home, the television is often our "trainer" through the use of exercise DVDs and gaming systems that offer fitness programs. With more people having access to these at-home workout programs, it's important to look at the pros and cons of using your television as your personal trainer.

Pros:

• Working out at home can give you more time with your family. For those who are working long days, eliminating the drive to and from the gym and working out with or by your family can offer you some much needed time together.
• Working out at home offers you flexibility. Rather than having to make a certain fitness class at a certain time, you can choose when to work out. Whether it's early morning or later at night, you are in charge.
• Working out at home offers you privacy. Some people are uncomfortable exercising in front of others and would prefer to work out alone.
• Working out at home can offer you a wide variety of exercises. You can customize your workout on many of the gaming systems or rent/buy a variety of different fitness DVDs. You are not stuck taking a certain exercise class just because it fits the time you can exercise.
• Weather is not an issue when you work at inside the home.

Cons:

• Working out at home can suffer from many distractions. The phone rings; the laundry is piled up; the kids are arguing, etc. All of these can distract you from the important task at hand - improving your health.
• It can be easy to skip your workout when you exercise at home. Without accountability to a class, trainer or even a workout buddy, it can be easier to skip your workout "just this once." And again. And again.
• Some people don't work out as intensely as they need to when working out at home. For some, having a teacher, trainer or classmates to push you a little increases your intensity and results!
• Your exercise form can suffer when working out at home. Having the proper form when lifting a weight or doing aerobics is important both for the results you wish to achieve as well as to prevent injury. Having a teacher or trainer can help you maintain the proper form while exercising.

So, what to do? If you work out at home, pay special attention to your exercise form to prevent injury. Make exercise a priority and commitment. Use a heart rate monitor to help you stay in your training zone. If you find it too hard to keep your commitment to better fitness by exercising at home, get to the gym regularly, letting your family know that you are giving them the best gift possible - a healthier you! No matter what you choose, make this the year that exercise becomes a habit you will keep for the rest of your life.

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This article was published in the February 2013 edition of the Completely Well newsletter from WorkingWell - an occupational health network of Franciscan Alliance providing a comprehensive approach to employers with job-related health needs.

Franciscan Omni Health’s Crozier receives Indiana Chamber Volunteer of the Year honor

Marci Crozier’s dedication to sharing her inspiring wellness journey and her work on behalf of the Wellness Council of Indiana earned her an Indiana Chamber of Commerce 2012 Volunteer of the Year award during a recent ceremony at the Indiana Convention Center.

Wellness is more than a way of life for Crozier – it’s a passion. When the Wellness Council of Indiana was established in the 1980s, she was an early contributor and volunteer. She’s spent nearly 30 years working at Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness - Schererville, currently as regional director of marketing and sales. After chronicling her nearly 80-pound weight loss on the popular NBC television show, The Biggest Loser, she began empowering others with the story of her path to physical and spiritual health at speaking engagements and to Wellness Council audiences.

“There’s a word many people to use to describe Marci – compassionate. Combined with her wellness knowledge and experience, the sky is truly the limit when it comes to making a positive impact on people’s lives,” says Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar. “Her dedication to helping others improve their well-being is simply inspiring.”

Crozier said the recognition extends beyond her, to Franciscan Alliance.

“It was my privilege to accept this recognition on behalf of the Sisters of Saint Francis, each and every one of them, and our Franciscan Alliance organization. When you are surrounded by such compassionate people, it just seems natural to want to give back. I am grateful for the opportunities that my position at Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness has given me to encourage and motivate Northwest Indiana and the state of Indiana citizens to want to live a healthier lifestyle.”

Two Wellness Centers In One

Franciscan Alliance partners Omni, Duneland locations

Omni 41 Health and Fitness Connection in Schererville and Duneland Health and Fitness Institute in Chesterton have merged to form Franciscan Omni Health and Fitness-Chesterton and Schererville. Both are under the auspices of Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana Region.

"We have regionalized our wellness centers to create growth and efficiency in their staffing, facilities and programs," said Sharon Sporman, Northern Indiana Region executive director-wellness centers, adding, "Memberships are reciprocal; Schererville members now have access to Chesterton and vice versa."

Members were notified of the merger in September.

The partnership comes on the heels of the facilities recently becoming the first of their kind to achieve International Organization of Standardization 9001:2008 certification.

"The ISO process provides Franciscan Omni Health and Fitness a pathway to build a stronger foundation for our operations and enables us to deliver a high-quality product to our members and the community that we serve," Sporman said.

ISO is the world's largest developer of international standards that have been instituted in 162 nations. ISO certification, which is achieved following requested audits of practices, assures a quality management system that provides a foundation of best practices, resulting in highest-quality services.

Gene Diamond, CEO of Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana Region, called the certifications "a milestone," and applauded the merger.

"Our members expect us to provide high-quality facilities, programs and services, but we're committed to offering them added value in the form of late-breaking advances tailored to meet their specific health and wellness needs. It's our mission. We think it makes us unique."     

What Franciscan Omni Health and Fitness locations offer:

The Chesterton location, 810 Michael Drive, is a comprehensive destination for wellness needs. Fitness memberships include access to state-of-the-art facilities, including a warm water therapy pool, Olympic pool, locker rooms with full amenities, massage therapy, a workout area, complete with cardio and strength equipment; and more than 65 group exercise classes per week (land and aqua included in membership fee). It also offers Kidzone, a safe place where children can play and stay while their parents work out.

The Chesterton location also hosts a number of programs and events throughout the year that cater to client needs. It prides itself on a world-class/professional staff that provides as much, or as little, hands-on attention to each member as needed, keeping individual desired results in mind. Onsite physical therapy and physician offices round out a comprehensive approach to aid those who are in need of medical attention and services. 

For more information, call (219) 983-9832 or visit www.franciscanalliance.org/omni.

The Schererville location, 221 U.S. 41, offers services in one location that include physician offices, rehabilitation services through the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, chiropractic services, weight-loss and fitness programs, Vanis salon and day spa, a White Sox baseball training academy, Parisi Speed School, a sports performance training center; a playroom for children and a soon-to-open Family Entertainment Center.

Fitness services include:

• More than 80 group exercise classes per week.
• A more than 18,000-square-foot Fitness Center that includes cardio, strength training, a Pilates studio, personal and group training; two swimming pools, sports facilities, including basketball, volleyball, racquetball and tennis; Thin and Healthy Total Solutions – billed as a last stop for weight loss and a staff of professionals who want to create a positive experience and assist clients open 24 hours a day.

For more information, call (219) 865-6969, or visit www.franciscanalliance.org/omni.