We live in a day when the First Lady of the United States has been touring the country

discussing the epidemic of obesity in our great nation. It takes about three seconds to look around and see a dozen people who are overweight. Thankfully, there is a new program at The University of Akron called Zip Fit.

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We live in a day when the First Lady of the United States has been touring the country

discussing the epidemic of obesity in our great nation. It takes about three seconds to look around and see a dozen people who are overweight. Thankfully, there is a new program at The University of Akron called Zip Fit.

For about $15 apiece, students can enroll in a collection of team-based physical activities over the course of twelve weeks. If you can find four other friends, you have yourself a Zip Fit team. If you find yourself friendless, you are still welcome to sign up and be matched to a team. There are prizes to be won, and most importantly, you will be taking a step towards a healthier life.

This program is potentially entertaining, as well as vital to the health of our students. Each day that I walk around campus, I notice just how large we are getting. I myself am not exactly the perfect picture of good health. Zip Fit offers all of us the chance to get together with all of our portly friends and work out. Never mind the grueling, sweaty embarrassment of lifting weights around a bunch of muscle-bound jocks. Socially awkward people can work out too.

For those without groups, I would encourage that you sign up anyway. You can use this

program as a tool to meet new people and form bonds. There are few things in life that provide this level of ice breaking and togetherness. Be seen, make friends and stop playing video games!

Even though there is a prize for brown bagging, the hardest part will be stopping yourselves from feeding your post-workout cravings at Taco Bell, McDonald’s or one of the other fast-food eateries around campus. Hey, even if you can’t control the fast food junkie trying to escape, at least working out is a start. No one is perfect. Do your best, and remember not to eat right before you exercise. There is nothing that will derail the friendship-making process quite like vomiting on your teammates.

In all seriousness, Zip Fit is a truly great idea. Any opportunity for people to get healthy is great. Whether it is a campus activity team, eating healthy or a simple commitment to taking the stairs instead of riding elevators, any positive step toward extending your life is a very important choice. This is one area where I agree with Michelle Obama. We all need to live healthier, and Zip Fitis a solid vehicle to reach that destination.

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