Staying Active In Winter
January 12, 2009 - The temperature may be below freezing and the wind blowing, but that does not stop Vinland’s Fitness and Wellness Manager Jeff Willert from strapping on a pair of snowshoes. Today he is taking out three residents to walk the prairie path at Vinland’s main campus.
“We usually head out around four, which is perfect timing to watch a gorgeous sunset over the prairie and lake,” Willert said. “We are usually getting to a high spot on the prairie just in time to see a gorgeous view.”
Willert and Jed Kobernusz (Vinland’s fitness and wellness assistant) began taking groups of residents out snowshoeing in December. The residents have enjoyed the chance for some outdoor exercise, even if it takes some persuading to get them outside in the cold.
“Some of the clients are really excited to go, some take a little convincing,” Willert said. “But once they do it, they are really glad they did.”
Snowshoeing is a great cardiovascular exercise, and outdoor fitness activities help breakup the monotony of indoor fitness routines. Willert has noticed the participants seem much more relaxed outdoors, and even though they are getting a workout, they look at it more as a fun activity rather than exercise. Unlike the indoor workouts where participants are trying to improve on what they did last time, the approach to the outdoor activities is a more laid-back and individual pace. Sometimes this slower pace allows for more one-on-one time between the fitness instructors and the participants, an opportunity that is not always possible inside a crowded fitness center.
“All of the outdoor activities, including bike riding and canoeing in the summer, really add a lot of value to the clients’ experience at Vinland,” Willert said. “We are really committed to the mind-body-spirit approach to treatment.”
Another great option for keeping participants active this winter is the new recreation center, located in Vinland’s lakeside chalet. For years, Vinland staff struggled to find the best way to utilize the space at the chalet, which sat unused most days of the year. The idea for the recreation center began this fall after the purchase of a Wii video game system for therapeutic exercise purposes. It was decided to set-up the Wii in the chalet and add some additional active games for the participants, such as ping pong, darts, an arcade basketball game and foosball.
All of the activities available in the recreation center are a great complement to the therapeutic exercise program. They help improve coordination, balance and reflexes. They also help stimulate the brain.
“We wanted to offer entertainment in a productive, healthy and therapeutic way,” Willert explained as the motivation for the recreation center.
While the residents are in the chalet they are supervised by recreation program staff. The time in the center is structured, and the program staff provide guidance when appropriate.
“Playing games they’ve never tried before gives the clients the confidence they need to try other new things,” Kobernusz said while talking about the benefits of the new center.
For many of Vinland’s participants, the recreational activities are a way to learn about new activities they can participate in without the use of alcohol and drugs.
“I watched one girl make two bulls-eyes while playing darts, and she said: ‘Look what I can do sober!’ Another time a man who wasn’t committed to his exercise program said he didn’t know activities like the ones in the rec center could be exercise too. This program helps all the clients in many different ways,” Kobernusz said. “It’s great that we can provide moments like that.”
