Club Fit is Keshet’s newest virtual adult program to promote healthy habits and being active. The popularity of this program comes from two of Keshet’s incredible nurses, Simone Goes and Paula Bishop, who create and lead the sessions. Each week offers an educational lesson, exercises and an activity challenge. Participants track their physical activity each week and earn certificates for reaching goals.

In just a few weeks, the impact of this program is astounding:

• 60 activity certificates have been awarded.
• A member is consistently making the choice to drink water instead of pop.
• Another member has enjoyed the exercise so much that she is now leading part of the fitness component.
• Everyone is reporting making healthier choices about what they eat.

And, this is just the beginning! Club Fit was launched in response to the COVID-19 stay-at-home order and Keshet’s need to provide services remotely. The program has been so successful and popular that it will continue as part of GADOL’s activity choices when we reopen the GADOL’s physical location.

Keshet’s commitment to health and wellness is to enable our participants and staff to live meaningful lives. Physical activity and healthy lifestyles are critical for all people and especially for adults with disabilities. According to the CDC, most adults with disabilities are able to participate in regular physical activity; however, nearly half of all adults with disabilities do not engage in aerobic physical activity at all. This population is also more than 50% more likely to suffer from a chronic health condition (obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, etc.) than adults without disabilities. Even moderate physical activity has a positive impact on physical health as well as emotional well-being and increased cognition.

Moving forward, we are excited to see how many of the new adult virtual programs and clubs will continue to grow and develop when we can be together again. For Club Fit, we are already off to a great start thanks to a grant from the Rotary Club of Skokie Valley that will be used to purchase exercise equipment and other fitness-related supplies.