Meet Brook Predeger
WIN for Alaska, Inc. Program Manager & Wellness Consultant
 Brook holds a masters degree in exercise physiology with a minor in public health. He received his bachelors degree in exercise science with an athletic coaching minor while on an athletic scholarship at the University of Alaska Fairbanks competing in cross country skiing and running.
He has many years of hands-on experience dealing with lifestyle change and behavior modification in the private health club setting. His encouraging, motivational attitude has facilitated thousands of people to make changes and add health and fitness to their daily lives.
In his own words...
I originally got into the health and fitness field because I was trying to further my career in x-country skiing and running. When it was time to pick a major in college, I chose Exercise Science so I could learn more about how the human body works (especially under stress) and use it to my advantage to race and perform better. Who knew that it would become my passion and ski racing and competition would fall by the wayside.
I am in this business now, first and foremost, because I like to see people succeed and make positive life altering changes. Their success translates directly to my success as a wellness consultant/motivator/educator/drill sergeant and program manager of this wellness company.
I believe that the University of Alaska is doing an amazing service to their employees by offering a comprehensive health and wellness program. Numerous companies/schools across the nation have started to watch and model UA's program. In a time when our economy is struggling and health care costs are on the rise, it is refreshing to see a large corporation stop complaining about the problem and find a solution.
My personal wellness routine changed when my wife and I added twin boys to the family in January 2007. I had always been active and got regular exercise up until then. As many of you know, kids take a lot of time and effort. Often, the time you previously spent on your own personal health and wellness is taken up caring for the kids.
In order to fit exercise and personal time into my current life, I made a couple major changes:
- Involving the family in my outings. Now, I secure a kid or two in a backpack and take a walk or hike in the mountains. When I bike to work, I use a trailer to haul the kids to daycare and back. And, x-country skiing includes towing a pulk (sled).
- Condensing my weight training workouts. Instead of working out for an hour plus, now it's 20 minutes and often at home with bands and body weight exercises.
- Taking a couple hours of personal time per week. This is even more important now than before kids. I focus/do something for myself to help relieve stress and anxiety brought on by my busy life/schedule, whether it is one hour twice a week or two hours one day a week.
Brook's health and wellness advice...
1) Exercise in moderation.
If you think in these terms, you will be able to work towards your personal goals without sacrificing life experiences. Example: I managed a series of private health clubs prior to working with WIN for Alaska Inc. During this time I knew people who were what I call “workout-aholics;” they would not miss a day at the gym all year long. When the gym was closed for Thanksgiving or Christmas, it was as if someone tried to poison them. The problem with “workout-aholics” is that their bodies never have time to rest and recover properly after a workout. Over time their immune system is compromised, they get sick more often, and they are more prone to serious injuries.
2) You don’t have to spend 2 hours in the gym to get a good workout.
Often I hear from clients, “I don’t have 2 hours 3-4 times a week to spend in the gym.” Working out doesn't have to take that long. If you have a plan (that doesn't include much talking or looking at yourself in the mirror), you can get in and out of a health club in under an hour. Speak with a WIN for Alaska Inc. wellness consultant about a full body circuit training program that you can do 2-4 times a week for 20 minutes at a time. Follow this with 20-30 minutes of light to moderate cardiovascular activity. The other option is even easier; do your resistance training or circuit training at home with exercise bands and homemade weights (water bottles, soup cans, etc.) and follow it up by going outside and taking in the Alaska scenery while doing your cardiovascular activity.
One of my favorite outdoor cardio activities (heading to the Chugach mountains) changes with the seasons. In the winter/spring, I go back country skiing, extreme sledding, and snowshoeing. In the summer I have fun hiking, glissading (sliding down left over snow chutes), and mountain biking. I think Alaskans are very lucky to have a rural State Park in our backyard. I don’t know of many metropolitan areas in the country that you can drive 10 minutes and be surrounded by untapped wilderness.
Take time to enjoy the outdoors, and I will see you in the mountains. |
WIN for Alaska, Inc.