Collegiate Times

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"We do miles because it is fun to see if people can meet our goal of walking across Virginia, which is 480 miles across," Wages said. "So if six people can achieve 150 minutes of physical activity per week, it will add up to 480 miles very quickly."

Watson said her team encourages one other on a daily basis to meet the number of minutes they need per week.

"We call and e-mail each other every day," Watson said. "When we are discouraged, we help each other out. I did not know several people before I started working with them on my team, and they help me considerably when I am having a tough day. We are working together; it really is a team effort."

Wages said the program is part of a research project between Tech and Carilion Medical Center.

"This is the first year we are doing this program," Wages said. "It is a partnership between Tech and Carilion. We are comparing this program to one that was done at Cooper Clinic called 'Active Living Everyday.' We trained 14 people for that program, and we trained 16 for the FIT program. The extension is being done in several counties, so we keep in touch with the agents we have trained to see how their programs are going."

The individual team members log their miles and report back to the team leader, Barnes said.

"There is a chart for the team leader to use to track each person's fitness," Barnes said. "Every person also has an individual chart for their personal use."

Watson said the program is helping her feel better about herself.

"As a group we are all working together, but we also each have personal goals that we are working on as well," Watson said. "The program has really motivated me to watch what I am eating. It also carries over at home. I have kids, and I am helping them eat better, too."

Barnes added to the importance of the team in the program.

"The team is there for support," Barnes said. "Sometimes the competition that goes on throughout the team is also an encouragement. For some, it is very competitive, and for some it just more of a support system."

To sign up or join a team, contact Dawn Barnes at (540) 745-9307.

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