Sedgebrook	UPDATED: Tuesday, December 30, 2008
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Here’s to your health in 2009

Posted on Thursday, January 01, 2009

By Meghan Streit
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

This month, millions of people will make a New Year’s resolution to lose weight or get in better shape. But by March, most of them will have reverted back to old eating habits or given up their workout routines.

Sticking to resolutions to get more active is less of a struggle for Monarch Landing and Sedgebrook residents who have the benefits of on-site fitness and aquatics centers, full-time experts to provide guidance, and a complete lineup of group classes ranging from tai chi to water aerobics. Tony Galvan, VIVA! program coordinator at Monarch Landing, the Erickson community in Naperville, says the convenience of the community’s gym and the variety of available workouts makes it much easier for residents to commit to staying in shape.

"It basically removes two of the primary obstacles that people encounter when trying to commit to an exercise program—time and access," Galvan says. "Since you do not have to get in your car and drive to the health club, you have more time to dedicate to your exercise routine."

Katie Snezhkova, a fitness specialist at Sedgebrook, says that if exercise is fun, people are more likely to stick to it. That’s why the Lincolnshire retirement community organizes activities like a water volleyball league and Nintendo Wii bowling tournaments that help residents stay active while they are socializing.

Sedgebrook resident Gwen Cooper and her husband, Marvin, have both joined Sedgebrook’s water volleyball league. Mrs. Cooper says the water volleyball games have been such a good time that residents have started an additional game that pits the women against the men. "My husband and I are against each other, so one of us always wins," she says with a laugh.

The ‘buddy system’
Galvan says Erickson residents are never alone in their efforts to get or stay physically fit. Not only do they have the expert support of fitness center staff, but they also provide motivation and encouragement for one another.

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That’s what Faye Voda, Elinor Vincent, and Loraine Wallis have found. The three women were friends through their Warrenville church, and each decided to move to Monarch Landing. Now that they are also neighbors, the ladies have started working out together at the community’s fitness center. They say the "buddy system" has made all the difference.

"It’s easier if somebody gives you a little push," Wallis says. "If it weren’t for [Vincent], I’d probably skip half the classes."

Thanks to Vincent’s encouragement, Wallis has started taking aqua fitness classes designed to alleviate arthritis pain. Wallis says she is not naturally a "water person" but has committed to the classes and has noticed an improvement in her energy level.

"I haven’t been doing it that long, but my kids say I walk faster than I used to," she says.

Personal trainers without the price tag
Voda says she now exercises three or four times a week, often when she meets Wallis and Vincent in the fitness center for an afternoon workout. She says having trainers available makes it easier to figure out which machines and exercises will be most effective.

"There’s someone there most of the time who can help you if you need it," Voda says.

In addition to traditional workouts, Voda says there are also "non-traditional" ways to exercise at Monarch Landing. Voda, Vincent, and Wallis participate in the community’s Nintendo Wii bowling tournaments. The popular gaming system uses a wireless controller that detects movements to simulate sports like bowling and golf. With activities like Wii bowling available just a short indoor walk away, staying active is easier—and more fun.

"There’s plenty going on here," Voda says. "You can be busy all the time or just when you want to."