Exercise

  • Exercise

    Join the 30 in 30 fitness challenge!

    It’s really hard to believe that this is the third year of doing this challenge. Over the year, the event has grown exponentially with more participant and even more miles logged. In 2021, 40 participants in the GGW community helped us to walk/run 731 miles in total. What will we be able to do this year?

    The 30 miles in 30 days walk/run challenge is designed to help grad students prioritize their physical wellness and to do so in community. One person who completes the challenge will win swag from the woman owned fitness brand @getlukafit AND Grad Girl Wellness stickers.

    To participate:
    1. Download the Nike Run Club App on your phone
    2. Go to this link

    For extra motivation, request to join our private a Facebook group called “Grad Girl Wellness 30 in 30.” A community of like minded people is always useful when you need support for staying accountable to your goals. This group is intended to be a place to stay encouraged and to ask questions to fellow 30 in 30 participants.

  • Exercise, Q&A

    Making time for movement in grad school?

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    Q: How do you make time for movement given your grad student schedule?

    A: Honestly, making/finding time is the main concern I hear from folks who want to add be more active but aren’t sure how.  My main suggestion is to pick an activity that you genuinely enjoy so that its harder for your skip it.  Secondly, see how you can get ahead on an assignment (ie not save it until the last minute), so that you feel less guilty when taking time away.  Finally, if you pay for classes up front, you might feel less inclined not to go because you’ve already made the investment.  Check out this GGW podcast episode with personal trainer and recent PhD Assita Dialo for more tips! 

  • Exercise, Food & Nutrition, Mental Health, The Academy

    The Wellness Reset

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    You’re invited! The “Wellness Reset” (Nov 13 at 12 pm EST) is a mid-semester virtual retreat designed to provide students with a space for reflection and rejuvenation in the midst of the school year. Each session will offer participants an opportunity to ground themselves in their “why” as they approach the final stretch of the semester.

    Meditation with Cierra (@_cierrajade_ ) will help calm the mind, relax the body, and create space to unlock creativity by remaining present. Yoga with Autumn (@just.adia) will emphasize how movement can be a tool for emotional, physical, and mental wellness. Journaling with Angela (@gradgirlwellness) will hold space for intentional reflection and goal setting through writing. Additionally, participants will receive a downloadable “Wellness Workbook” with additional tips and resources on how to prioritize wellness as a grad student.

    Use “Reset2021” for 15% off. Register here!

  • Exercise

    30 in 30 challenge (September Recap)

    There was such a great response (and requests for a repeat) that we brought the 30 in 30 challenge back for a “Back to School” edition. This time, I teamed up with a fellow Gradpreneur Reka aka The Scholarly Sewist. I was overwhelmed by how much the challenge grew. We even had an unofficial theme song “Walk it Out” by DJ Unk and “Walk it Like I talk It” by the Migos was a close second.

    I was admittedly a bit hesitant about running the challenge for a second time because I feared that some of the excitement might get lost if it was offered too regularly. The increase in participation proved me wrong. Here’s a quick comparison:

    June 2021

    -30 people signed up, and 10 people finished

    -439.32 Miles run in total

    -International participants

    the amazing Black woman owned athletic leisure wear brand Roam Loud and stickers from the Grad Girl Wellness stickers

    September 2021

    -50 people signed up, and 14 people finished

    -731.09 Miles run in total

    -International participants

    -2 Prizes: ResearcHer tee and stickers from the Grad Girl Wellness stickers

    I’d love to do another challenge with you and the group. It’s really made a difference for me in my first month back to school.”

    Asya Spears (Rose Data Studio)

    When I took the time to quantify how many miles we collectively put on the app, I was so proud. Not everyone finished, but they all contributed to our 731.09 total. Part of our success could be attributed to the collaboration that this challenge entailed. The Scholarly Sewist and I documented our progress on Instagram Live with a Kick Off Call and a Wrap Up. I think that these went well.

    As far as things to improve…One thing that I wish we could do in the future is to find a better way to communicate with each other because that’s one of the limitations of the Nike Run Club. I would also like to do something in person if possible, but we will leave that up to Aunty Rona.

    Wow!! I didn’t get all 30, but I did 16 miles, which is more than the last challenge. I look forward to whenever you do this again.”

    Octavia Marshall

    As the GGW community continues to grow, I look forward to doing more challenges like this and also providing ways for folks to be involved even if they aren’t a fan of cardio–maybe 5 days of yoga? Maybe something related to a different dimension of wellness would be useful.

    What type of future challenges would you like to see from Grad Girl Wellness?