Reported by: Ilyssa Weiner
Oswego, N.Y.- With midterms rolling around, busy schedules as well as the winter weather has made things difficult for college students to achieve their desired fitness goals, especially losing the Freshman 15. Enter “Strong and Healthy”, SUNY Oswego’s newest fitness organization devoted to motivating students to not only stay active year round, but to think differently about how they work out.
“Strong and Healthy” Founder and President Autumn Caldwell started the organization in January. She suffered from depression after gaining 20 pounds during her first semester. A year later, Caldwell lost over 25 pounds and regained her confidence.
“I used to hate working out,” Caldwell said. “But working out has made me stronger as a person. Not just physically, but mentally.”
Since launching in January, “Strong and Healthy” has gained the attention of over 150 SUNY Oswego students, including Secretary Erin Clegg, who was unhappy with her skinny body and cardio workout and eventually turned to strength training.
“I really wanted to break the boundary between women and gaining muscle and lifting,” Clegg said.
“When a lot of people think of the word “strong”, they think of muscles and abs and a six pack,” Caldwell explained. “When they think “healthy,.” they think that means you have to be thin. That’s not necessarily the case. Being skinny does not necessarily mean that you’re healthy.”
“Strong and Healthy” will be holding a kick off event on April 22nd.