Nutrition & Fitness for Life
We all want to fuel our bodies and be fit for life, but not everyone is interested in team sports or running fitness circuits. For students who are looking for a quieter, less competitive fitness setting, our Nutrition & Fitness for Life program might just speak to them. 

As an alternative health program to our Physical Education (PE) classes, Nutrition & Fitness for Life is open to all students who would enjoy and benefit from working out in a smaller group. During their scheduled PE day, students work closely with our Nutrition Educator and Fitness Specialist, Martha Pellegrino, to assess the student's current eating habits and fitness levels, and develop a personal wellness plan that will enhance their self-care, health, and wellness.

Building Nutrition & Fitness
Our Nutrition Educator introduces our students to various nutrition and fitness activities that will help them maintain a healthy lifestyle. There are a wide variety of activities for students to choose from, including: 

• Yoga – It’s time to roll out your yoga mat and discover the combination of physical and
   mental exercises that for thousands of years have been and still are the building blocks
   to a healthy lifestyle. Students will learn a set of poses (asanas), combined with specific
   breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation principles that have the power to
   focus and calm the mind while strengthening the body with balance and flexibility.

• Fitness Room – Walking into a fitness room can be intimidating for many people. So, we take
   it slow as students learn how to work out using free weights, resistance bands, kettlebells, 
   and fitness machines and the proper techniques for each station. Strength training can help
   you manage your weight, protect your joints from injury, increase your metabolism and burn 
   more calories while enhancing your quality of life and improving your ability to do everyday
   activities. How cool is that?!

• Walking – Lacing up your sneakers and going for a brisk walk is one of the easiest and most

   effective ways to stay healthy. While taking in some fresh air, this low-impact cardiovascular
   exercise creates less stress on your joints and reduces pain. It can also boost your energy,
   improve your mood, and help you think creatively. By walking just 30 minutes every day,
   you can ramp up your immune system, which can prevent or manage various conditions.

• Goal Setting – A life well lived rarely happens by accident. It is the result of setting and
   pursuing goals. But where do you start? We start by asking students to envision their healthiest
   and happiest selves. What does that look like for you? We then explore your daily habits and
   assess your fitness levels to see what may be holding you back. Tips, tools, and techniques
   are introduced to keep you focused and motivated, and promote daily changes that,
   once made, will move you towards whatever your short- and long-term health and well-
   being aspiration might be.

• Nutrition – If you are a foodie, you're going to love this nutrition part of the program. We help
   students think critically about their food choices, from school lunches to vending machine
   snacks. You'll get hands-on experience with interactive food demos, assessing recipes and
   food groups, exploring food limitations (dairy-free, gluten-free), and best of all, taste testing
   that will show you that healthy foods can be MMM...Good!