Member of the Month - 09/2010
The AggieFit Member of the Month for September is Kevin Wilcox, a Senior Accounting major at NMSU. We salute you, Kevin, for your accomplishments and dedication to overall fitness & wellness practices!
Q: What amenities within the Activity Center do you take part in and what aspects have assisted you along the way to keep things enjoyable and consistent?
A: Strength training, racquetball, basketball. Mixing up the strength training workouts and having a motivated workout partner are probably the two reasons I enjoy the gym so much. It is easy to consistently work hard when you have a friend to keep you accountable and motivated.
Q: You have mentioned that participation in pick-up basketball within the Activity Center is a favorite activity of yours as well as participation in NMSU Intramural Sports as well. How has this had an impact on the incorporation of physical activity through your lifetime and how have you faired within the competitive play of NMSU Intramurals?
A: I played basketball and baseball from a young age until I came to NMSU. I have played most intramural sports and have made a lot of semifinals, but my only championship so far came last spring in men's softball.
Q: Besides basketball activities, how do you compile your workouts? In other words, do you perform a combination of cardio activities with strength training?
A: I am currently training for the Duke City Half Marathon in Albuquerque on October 17th, so I am strength training 3 days a week and running 4 days a week. This will be my third half marathon so I am starting the get the hang of things. Plus, running is a great way to get rid of soreness that can result from strength training.
Q: Any other fitness/recreational activities you perform outside of the Activity Center?
A: Other than running, I love to go on hikes with my fiancée Michelle, play ping pong, and golf.
Q: What do you like the most about staying active and exercising? In other words, what motivates you to be so consistent and to conduct workouts at the AC?
A: Working out at the AC is a great way to relieve stress and to stay sharp in the classroom. I also think I am generally a happier person after a workout; it's a great sense of accomplishment.
Q: What motivational advice would you give anybody of the general public, regardless of age, in regards to the importance of incorporating physical activity within one's lifestyle?
A: Every part of life is improved by exercise, so find something active you enjoy and have fun doing it. Share that activity with a friend or family member and you will find that experience to be even more rewarding. Life is just too short without exercise.
Q: What advice would you give, based on your own personal experience and workouts, to someone who is just starting an exercise program (a beginner)?
A: I think the best strategy for a beginner is to work out at the same time everyday. If you treat your workout like a meeting or a class, you will be less likely to skip and more likely to develop a routine that you can stick to. Start simple and gradually build your workouts as you gain experience, but know that your desired results are going to come over time, not overnight.
Q: Have you been active your entire life? If there was a specific time you began working out consistently, when was that?
A: I have played sports my entire life, but I think I started working out consistently when I started playing high school sports. I had a great strength coach, Coach Martin, who taught me how to get around in the weight room when I was in 8th grade.
Q: Any parting quotes or comments?
A: My varsity baseball coach used to say something at the end of every practice that is a great motto to live by. Coach Lorett would say "Everything you do becomes a part of you".
Know someone who deserves to be recognized? If you would like to nominate an individual affiliated with the NMSU community for the AggieFit "member of the month", please contact: smeyer@nmsu.edu or 646-5178
