By Taylor Jensen/nw news editor

A NW assistant professor of health explained the difference between wanting to be physically fit and wanting to look good.

“I read student’s goals at the beginning of the semester, and it’s always the same thing. They want a six-pack, to drop 10 pounds or to look good at their sister’s wedding,” Joshua Tarbay said. “At TCC, we instead try to push lifetime fitness and a disease-free prolonged life-span.”

Students with their student ID have access to a free gym, where just 20 minutes of moderate physical activity could greatly improve their health and wellness, Tarbay said.

“Students think about the now, but what they have to realize is what they do today will affect tomorrow,” he said.

Toni Pannell, NW health assistant professor, said priority plays an important factor in student health.

“Many of our students are enrolled full time, are parents or work,” she said. “They lead busy lifestyles, and our priority is to help them find a balance between their health and their commitments.”

TCC offers a wide array of physical education classes students can take for credit or at their leisure, Pannell said. Adding it to their schedule not only helps students find time for exercise but holds them accountable as well.

“It’s funny how we all find time to do things we want to do,” she said. “If we really

prioritized our lives, good health would be at the top of the list because we need it to continue to do the things at the bottom.”

NW health instructor Ryan Stewart said intramural sports at TCC are more than just beneficial physical activity.

“We offer a chance for our students to continue what they did in high school, build friendships and compete,” he said.

TCC offers football, basketball, volleyball and soccer so students can keep their competitive edge, Stewart said.

“It’s just another way for students to stay involved, and the more involved a student is, the more successful they will be,” he said.

TR student Joe Martins said TCC has helped him continue practicing physical fitness well into his college career.

“I got into working out in middle school. It’s always been important to me because it kept me out of trouble and taught me discipline,” he said. “At TCC, all the facilities I have been to offer more than enough equipment for a person to improve their fitness and have fun doing so.”

Working out doesn’t just help prevent health issues but has psychological benefits as well.
It’s a great stress reliever, which is very helpful in a college lifestyle, Martins said.

“I feel that everyone should become more aware of their health, not just because of the benefits of being physically fit but because of the possibility of having fun in the process,” he said.