NEW ERA HEALTHY HABITS CLUB; Get With the Program, Get Fit

IT’S A BRAND new year, and Kathy Williams is looking for motivation.

She’s hoping to find it through “I Lost It at the Club!”

Beginning Monday, Universal Athletic Club, 2323 Oregon Pike, will offer the eight-week program to encourage participants to start or jump-start a fitness program.

Williams, a 36-year-old East Hempfield stay-at-home mom, hopes the program will reinvigorate her exercise regimen – particularly after the holidays.

“I’m looking for something different to help me stay motivated,” says Williams, who already attends the club five to six days a week and is partial to martial arts. “I really appreciate the variety of activities here.”

Williams, the mother of Ethan, 7, and Emma, 5, joined the club three years ago and discovered many kid-friendly activities.

“She’s here so much, we sometimes feel like we have to pay her,” jokes Jennifer Villella, club director of marketing/public relations.

“I Lost It at the Club,” which continues through Tuesday, Feb. 28, is a national program spearheaded by the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association.

On Jan. 10, participants will meet with a fitness coach for a weigh-in and to discuss goals for the program. Each participant will receive an instruction packet with exercise tips, workout activity cards and a weight-management plan book.

During the eight weeks, there will be nutritional and exercise seminars, a parent/child Kidz Maze race, an adult dance class, a pool obstacle course, a cardio challenge, group exercise sampler classes, a reward program for lap swimming and pool walking, a special martial-arts class, seated chair massages and a smoothie special of the week.

On Feb. 28, participants will meet with the fitness coach for their final weigh-in.

Total amount of weight lost by participants will be tallied both locally and nationally. A finale party will be held Thursday, March 9, at the club.

The program is free for all Universal members. Nonmembers can enroll for a fee, or by joining the club.

For information on program cost, call the club, 569-5396.