Caroline Twitchell’s Lifelong Wellness Reflections

1. What connections have you had from what you’ve studied in this LW course with what
you’ve learned from other courses you have taken at SLCC or have learned before taking
this class? Make specific references to your work in this class and in other courses. How
did what you learned in other courses enhance what you learned here, and vice versa?
In the semester I took the Lifelong Wellness course I also took a nutrition class. The information
I learned from both complement each other really well. While the nutrition class focused more
on diet and nutrients, many topics such as hydration and exercise were covered in both classes.
The FITT-VP exercise outline was covered in both courses. This is a way to track your progress
and increase your workout routine by watching the frequency, intensity, type, time, volume, and
progression of each exercise.
Hydration was another important topic. We learned that it is crucial to drink 4-8 ounces of water
at least 2 hours before an event and one should drink 2 ounces for every pound that was lost
during training because most of the weight lost during a workout is water weight. The effects of
dehydration are not pleasant but are common among those who do not watch their fluid intake.
They may experience dizziness, headaches, muscle cramps, lack of energy, and fainting.

2. Reflect on what you thought about fitness and lifelong wellness before you took this
course and how you think about it now that you have completed the course. Have any of
your assumptions or understandings changed? Why? What
assignments/activities/readings were influential in this process? How will you approach
what influenced you differently in the future?
Before taking this course I knew fitness was important. I knew that exercise is a crucial way to
maintain and promote good health, but I didn’t understand to what extent. One of my favorite
things I learned in this course was the importance of and differences between the various types of
exercise: cardio, flexibility, and strength training all play a role in our health. I was grateful for
the opportunity to recognize the exercises I gravitated toward and tried new things.
The weekly workouts we accounted for helped motivate me to try these new types of exercises. I
had fun doing strength training videos as I usually do yoga, and I started to incorporate running
into my weekly routines. These assignments have helped me to make good habits.
In the future I plan on continuing to develop strength, flexibility, and endurance so I may
maintain a healthy weight and state of mind. Exercise has helped me to be more focused and
optimistic during the day, and I know it’s because the body is connected with the mind. I will be
able to continue to increase my physical ability while knowing how to care for myself through
hydration, a good diet, and adequate rest.