Harding University Healthy Eating Active Living (HU HEAL) altered its program for the spring 2021 semester and also plans to offer one-on-one training sessions, an ambassador program and new fitness plans, as well as acquire an office for the organization.
Junior Natalie Bland, who is an HU HEAL ambassador, has been involved with the organization since her freshman year. With HU HEAL branching toward new fitness areas, Bland will be one of their personal trainers in the new one-on-one and buddy programs.
“Once we get our office, we will start those new programs,” Bland said. “Anyone involved in [HU HEAL] can do it, so we are looking for more ambassadors. Anybody involved can come and be a fitness buddy — completely up to you when you do it [and on a] volunteer basis — just so that people don’t have to work out alone.”
Plans to create an office space in the Ganus Activities Complex (GAC) will provide a place for people to sign up for classes, meet ambassadors and gather information to live a healthier lifestyle as a college student.
“I’m glad that there’s an organization that can give students ideas that are healthy and inform students on how to workout,” junior Allie Kuykendall said.
HU HEAL members are excited for their new offers and programs that will be offered once their space opens in the GAC.
“The biggest thing, in my opinion, is knowing that God loves you and your body exactly the way it is,” junior Lindsey Reece said. “The goal should be to be healthy [and] to glorify God by treating your body right.
We also have fitness guides that will create a workout specifically for you to help you get started. They will show you step by step how to do everything.”
With a fun approach to healthy lifestyle changes, many students are engaging more with HU HEAL by attending classes and participating in their ambassador program.
Junior Morgan Ludke said that the friendly, inclusive environment and the passion the people involved have made fitness fun when she attended their sponsored Nooma class taught by HU HEAL ambassador Toni Montez.
Reece and Bland are excited about the new growth HU HEAL is experiencing and encourage students to reach out through social media to stay connected and build a healthy lifestyle in the Harding community.
