Diana Berg, director of continuing education
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness means being conscious on a daily basis about my health—mentally, physically and spiritually.
What do you do to stay well?
I try to eat healthy foods, do aerobics, lift weights, and be active outside as much as possible. I also like to read and find quiet, reflective time.
I run with women friends twice a week (all year round) and spend another two to three hours per week socializing with them as part of our gatherings. We are a great support network for each other—a very nurturing, caring group of friends.
I also enjoy rollerblading and biking with my partner. He and I usually get 18 holes of golf in during the week, plus 9 holes on Friday nights as part of a couples league. Whenever we golf, we walk instead of using carts.
Once the weather gets cooler I take yoga and body pump classes at the YMCA and get out cross country skiing when there’s good snow. Every summer my partner and I backpack and canoe in the Boundary Waters—a great renewal time for us as a couple and for me individually.
I used to do a lot of half marathons, duathlons, driathlons (running, biking and rollerblading), and 5K and 10K runs, but I've found in recent years that I’m doing less competitive sports and more of a variety (or balance) of other activities.
I think eating good food sets the tone for how I feel each day—the better I eat, the more my body craves healthy foods, and the better I feel. Getting seven to eight hours of sleep every night is also something I try to do.
How do you work wellness into your day?
Being an extrovert makes it easy for me to plan regular exercise with friends, my partner or participate in an organized class—which makes me more committed. It also helps to have a space or room in my home for individual workouts that take only 30 minutes or less—with all of the equipment in one place.
There’s also a wooded and very serene walking/running path in back of my home where I/we can take the dog for a walk in the evenings. Our dog Gracie makes me feel guilty if I don’t take her for a walk—but guilt is sometimes good. It also makes it easier having grown children—there’s more flexibility around scheduling exercise and meals.
What are your biggest struggles for maintaining wellness?
It’s so hard to be consistent with everything I want to do. Life tends to get in the way of taking care of myself; that’s why for me, it has to be a daily conscious effort that becomes a routine. It’s hardest when I’m traveling and don’t always have access to good food or exercise facilities.
How do you find time to workout?
Having set times to meet friends, my partner or be at a scheduled class at the YMCA works best for me. Then it’s on my calendar and I don’t allow other things to fill up that time. Like anything, once you start treating your body right, you’ll get clear signals when you start slacking off.
Why is being well important to you?
It gives me quality of life each day, which is what I feel it is all about. I want to be able to continue to be active and do all the things I so much enjoy—without pain. Being well helps me stay mentally alert and feel good about myself. It helps me be a better person, friend and partner.
Do you have any recommended resources for wellness?
I’ll give a plug for Northwestern’s HealthyU Web site—there’s information on everything you’d want to know about staying well. Otherwise, I recommend being open to trying new things. Take a class, get out on your bike, take golf lessons, try vegetarian cooking. It’s all about getting started and making wellness a part of your life!
