At the beginning of every fall semester, many undergrads have two F-words on their minds: “freshman fifteen.”
Struggling to avoid extra pounds and forming bad habits the first few weeks of classes, gaining weight has become an ongoing issue for college students.
Beginning next week, the new organization “Forming Healthy Individuals Together,” or F.H.I.T., will hold it’s first meeting in efforts to help students improve their health by eating well-balanced diets and leading active lifestyles.
I recently spoke with the Vice President of F.H.I.T. David Wistocki about this new organization and the reception he thinks it will receive from UT students.
The Minaret (M): How did the idea for F.H.I.T. come about? Who is behind the new organization and what steps have you taken to get the club off the ground?
David Wistocki (DW): F.H.I.T. is the creation of senior Catherine Martino “Cat” the organization’s new president. I initially found out about the organization while working at the 2010 Spring Health Fair and became immediately intrigued.
Oddly enough, I was working on a similar project just prior to receiving word of F.H.I.T. Cat and I agree, it would be pointless to start two separate organizations hoping to achieve the same goal so instead, we decided to collaborate on her creation.
After the Health Fair last spring, F.H.I.T. held its first interest meeting prior to the semester’s close.
Shortly after the meeting, Cat offered me the position of vice-president for F.H.I.T. and I gladly took it. Following this was a continuous level of communication between Cat and I as we brainstormed concepts so that once school began in the fall, we could hit the ground running.
As the fall semester drew near, logo concepts were thrown back and forth until we both agreed to the one that The Minaret and all of UT will soon become very familiar with.
Because Cat and I both want to make F.H.I.T. as influential as possible, a key process to the organization’s success is going to be a recognizable brand. With this in mind, our next moves were, and still are, based around developing marketing materials.
I won’t say much more on that subject. There needs to be some surprises, right? Outside of the brand’s development, Cat and I have been pushing the organization as often as possible at orientation events, involvement conferences, etc.
This organization is going to be like nothing UT has ever seen; and Cat and I are ready to show that.
M: Why do you think so many college students don’t eat healthily or exercise regularly and how do you think F.H.I.T. will help change this?
DW: Many students view regular exercise and healthy eating as monotonous, separate components.
Neither running laps around the track, nor eating fiber bars seems inspirational, and neither are the least bit motivating.
F.H.I.T. intends to change both the monotony and separation that often occurs between exercise and healthy food choices. Our hope is to keep the UT campus inspired to stay “F.H.I.T.” by providing exciting, motivating opportunities to become and stay healthy.
Additionally, a key part to implementing preventive behavior like staying fit and choosing healthy food is changing the environment (Thank you, Dr. Olsen); F.H.I.T. intends to tackle that aspect as well through advocating healthier dining hall options, bridging Tampa community connections and implementing incentives for staying healthy.
M: As an organization aimed at promoting a well balanced lifestyle, including fitness and a healthy diet, how do you think F.H.I.T. will resonate with college students who have busy schedules with little time for exercise and want quick, inexpensive meal options?
DW: Maintaining a healthy diet and fit lifestyle doesn’t need to include calorie counters or heart rate monitors—although, if those help motivate you, we’re all for it! Keeping a healthy lifestyle only requires a level of commitment appropriate to an individual’s current situation. Improvements—large or small—can still have an impact.
With F.H.I.T., our only request is that regardless of whether you’re a couch potato or a fitness fanatic, you join with an open mind and a willing body. If we can get your foot in the door, I can guarantee that you will eventually walk through it.
M: What’s on your agenda for the upcoming year? What are some things you wish to accomplish as a new organization?
DW: Each meeting Cat and I have tends to throw us off course a bit—only because our idea bank gets bigger. While our ideas run far and wide, we hope to, first and foremost, fund-raise to provide the organization with some funds to work with.
We’re also hoping to bring at least two speakers, one with a food-based topic and another on the subject of fitness. One more important aspect for us are the group workouts we plan to schedule on a regular basis to motivate members to get and stay active.
M: How can students get involved in F.H.I.T. and where can I go for more information?
DW: The easiest way to get in touch with us is through the organization’s e-mail, get.fhit@gmail.com. To receive instant information on the organization and learn about upcoming events, visit our Facebook page by searching for “Forming Healthy Individuals Together.”
Mike Trobiano can be reached at mike.trobiano@gmail.com.