Commit to Be Fit Newsletter

5 January 2024/ Issue No. 269

This week, we welcomed semester 2 students to the Action Based Learning (ABL) Lab and our Strength, Fitness, and Personal Health class.

Mark your calendars- Karen's Line Dancing is returning to RCES on Saturday, January 20th.

There is strength in numbers and we are thrilled to have so many participants join us on this transformation journey! If you signed up for this program, you will receive an email by Saturday, January 6th, at the latest. If you do not receive it, be sure to check your spam/junk folder. If you can't find it, please email us at c2bf@rappahannockschools.us. We want to make sure you receive the welcome packet and week 1 routine.

Lace up your shoes and join us for Walking Group on Mondays! This group meets at 3:45 pm at the RCES flag pole. Whether you are competing in one of our physical activity challenges or you would like to get a few extra steps in, we would love for you to come out and walk with us! This group is open to the entire community. Tell your friends or bring them with you!

Now that we are in winter, there may be times that school is closed due to weather. Walking Group will not meet when school is not in session. We will email our newsletter subscribers if there is a cancellation. School closures will be announced on the RCPS website as well.

Happy New Year, Commit to Be Fit Family! C2BF is thrilled to roll out TWO different physical activity challenges on Monday, January 8th. One is for community and staff (Transformation), and the other is for staff (Superintendent's Challenge). Therefore, it only seems fitting to share a fitness tip this week.

I have shared this tip in the past, but since we have so many new newsletter subscribers, it's worth repeating (and reminding). The hardest part of any workout is getting started. We all have those "blah" days where we don't feel like exercising. We end up procrastinating and before we know it, we didn't do it at all. Unless you are sick or injured, give this tip a try. Tell yourself you are only going to workout for five minutes. Once the time is up, if you are truly not feeling it , allow yourself to stop and postpone the workout to another day or time. However, once you get started and feel those happy, exercise-induced hormones, you will be more energized and are likely to continue with your workout. So, the next time you are feeling "blah" and less than motivated, don't use it as a reason to not workout. Instead, make it your #1 reason to lace up those shoes and get moving, at least for five minutes.

The new year brings the excitement of new beginnings. The phrase "in with the new and out with the old" comes to mind. If you are starting fresh with a new year, take time to begin a new path or do new things. Maintaining consistency is crucial for achieving reliable and predictable results in various aspects of life.

Whether you're working on personal goals, professional projects, or any other endeavor, consistency plays a key role. Consistent daily routines and habits can lead to long-term success. Whether it's exercising, studying, or practicing a skill, regularity fosters improvement. Consistent exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep contribute to overall well-being. Setting clear goals and consistently working towards them is a recipe for success. Regular progress checks and adjustments to your approach can help you stay on track.

It's about finding a balance and staying committed to your chosen path while remaining open to adjustments when necessary. Remember that consistency doesn't mean rigidity. It requires discipline, patience, and a long-term perspective to yield meaningful results. Small, sustainable lifestyle changes are often more effective than sporadic, intense efforts. Give yourself the grace to start small to build self-confidence. Small changes can have a significant impact. Keep it simple!

Looking for a great meal prep idea? Give this one a try from Project Meal Plan! It features ground beef, rice, bell peppers, onion, zucchini, and tomato. Yum! CLICK HERE for the recipe.

RCES Staff- Do you ever feel you could use a quick reset? It's amazing what a few minutes of relaxation and deep breathing can do to change your mood. C2BF invites you to visit our Reset Room, which is reopening on Monday, January 8th. Each day from 9:30-10:30 am, the ABL lab will be transformed into a relaxing oasis, complete with dimmed lighting, tranquil sounds, and calming images projected onto the wall. Grab a bean bag chair and take a moment to let go of your stress in this immersive, peaceful environment. Additionally, we encourage you to bring in any students who may benefit from this experience as well.

Teachers- feel free to email us (c2bf@rappahannockschools) if you would like for us to cover class for a few minutes. We would be happy to come in and lead a classroom mindfulness activity while you enjoy a quick reset.

The winners of this week's FREE salad bar coupon goes to Jacqui Lowe-Barton (RCES) and Dani Pond (RCHS).

RCPS Teachers-- As a friendly reminder, we have a massive database of brain breaks (PreK-12) and movement games/activities with SOL and content integration ideas (PK-5). CLICK HERE to view the Teacher Resource page. If you prefer, the C2BF team would be happy to come to your classroom and lead a brain break, activity, or even a mindful minute. Email c2bf@rappahannockschools.us to schedule a push-in.