The mission of this program is to promote a healthier future by fighting obesity and inspiring adults to be an example of health and wellness for the youth. Both adult (18 and up) and youth program last for 15 weeks, covers over 200 miles, and is only 1 hour per day from Monday through Friday. All participants are required to take a free fitness assessment during orientation which will be on the Saturday before the 1st day. Fitness assessments also are required on the Saturday following the last day. This includes an accurate body fat % and height and weight measurement. At the orientation participants also are given information regarding any questions. Also During the program participants are monitored daily by talking tests and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) from 0-10. The workout session includes a warm up, three phases and a cool down. The 15 minute warm up and cool down targets the cardiovascular system; increases and decreases the heart rate and blood flow throughout the body which helps to prevent injuries by using a static stretching routine. At the end of the workout a cool down helps to restore heart rate below moderate target zone (55%), and gives more flexibility over time. The RPE will be assessed after 2 minutes and 15 seconds at the beginning of the workout and toward the end. Participants are encouraged to monitor their heart rate voluntarily after the first 2 minutes of exercise and every minute thereafter until a steady state is reached (American College of Sports Medicine, 2006). During the first phase sedentary individuals should begin walking at a distance they can easily perform for 20-30 min at 40-60% of their maximum heart rate. The RPE for this phase should be from1-3. From a 1 to 3 participants feel very little exertion. During phase 2 participants will begin to cover longer distances at 50-85% of their maximum heart rate. Some participants may begin dynamic stretching during their warm up and cool down. Also at this point participants will begin work relief intervals, whereas they walk, jog a few steps, then walk, and so forth (Howley and Franks, 2007). The RPE during phase 2 should be from 4-6. At a 4 individuals should feel they can still conversate during exercise. At a 6 participants aren’t able to carry a conversation. They also feel only capable of maintaining the intensity for 8-10 minutes. Gradually jogging covers more distance than walking, until the person can jog continuously for 2 to 3mi at the target heart rate zone. During phase 3 a participant may simply jog 3 or 4 times a week, planning only to exercise at an intensity that will elevate the heart rate to the training zone for a predetermined length of time (or distance) with the option to go longer (further) on days when desired so (Howley and Franks, 2007). Participants also are provided with a social environment at Loving Life fitness program. The attention they receive improves their fitness level, stress, sleep, and confidence in themselves.
