Written by Joelle Amir (Medicine, Class of 2024)
Even in the best of times, it can be difficult to stay healthy in the winter months. Vacation ends, the holiday cheer wears off, the temperature becomes colder, and often times, the easy decision is to stay inside instead of getting out there and being active. Of course, this year, we have no other option but to remain confined, but that does not have to mean shying away from healthy living. Lucky for us, McGill Medicine has partnered with Université de Montréal to launch the Git Fit Challenge 2.0, to help give us some extra incentive. This 2 week challenge is reminiscent of the popular Med Games, which gathers medical students from across Canada to compete in a variety of fitness, as well as artistic and intellectual, competitions. Sadly, Med Games was cancelled this year due to the pandemic, but its spirit of promoting physical activity and bringing medical students together hasn’t been forgotten. Challenges will be announced at the start of the competition on January 18th for each team of up to 6 students to complete, in order to accumulate points. At the end of the month, the top three teams of each university will be announced and prizes will be awarded to the winners as well as some randomly selected participating teams. When asking our VP Wellness about how the wellness team came up with the idea, he shared: “I felt that the rivalry between the two schools would maybe entice the students to participate more. I saw that Université de Montreal did a challenge among themselves in the first lockdown, so I reached out this Fall and we decided to set it up as a mini replacement to Med Games!” To favor this competitive spirit, students will post photos or videos of the activities they complete as proof. In terms of the challenges, it will include, running, ice skating, biking, doing 30 minute workouts alone or via Zoom with your team. There will even be a live workout session each week, where participants can earn points by joining. You can still sign up and join the friendly competition: https://www.facebook.com/defimiseenforme
The MSS Plant-Based Nutrition Group is also hosting a similar challenge this month, enticing students to adopt a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle this January; also known as “Veganuary”. Veganuary is a worldwide campaign that started in 2014, in efforts to gain new healthy habits at the start of the new year, but it is the first year that the MSS has adopted this challenge. The group will be posting plant-based meal inspirations, resources, and challenges to complete on both Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/events/299889858121645?active_tab=about)and Instagram (instagram.com/pbng.veganuary/) . Students can learn more about how to take care of their health and our planet - in return, participating in these initiatives will count as entries in a raffle of gifts from plant-based small business (#supportlocal!). Examples include Lola Rosa gift cards, local coffee, and more. The committee is thrilled with the participation so far and how many people are engaging. They also shared the following: "As a group, we love the idea of actively working towards healthier lifestyles (both for personal and global health) with the support of a friendly and warm community. This is why we created this encouraging and fun event for our peers. It’s about trying our best rather than perfection - cumulative progression forward!”
Now get out there and crush your 2021 New Year’s resolutions by trying these pandemic friendly challenges this January!