Joanne Cavignano's co-workers in MIT Medical's Dental Service call her "the sergeant." It's a title the dental assistant wears proudly. "I keep everybody moving," she says emphatically. "I tell them they have to take the stairs. No more elevator!" Cavignano also organizes group walks at lunchtime and has started planning an indoor exercise program for those inevitable winter days when inclement weather will prevent outdoor activity.

Cavignano's own motivation to exercise suffered a blow about a year ago with the death of her cousin. "My cousin and I used to go dancing three times a week and walking two nights a week," explains Cavignano. "When she passed away, I went from exercising five nights a week to nothing. I gained weight. I was very depressed. When I got home from work, I'd just go to bed and sleep."

Last June Cavignano decided it was time to get active again. "I just told myself, 'No more sitting on the couch!'" she declares. "I was determined to make a change in my life." Initially, she started exercising on her own, but before long, she'd recruited co-workers to join her on her daily walks along the Charles. "People always think they'll be so tired if they exercise in the middle of the day," Cavignano says, "but exercising actually gives you more energy. When I see my co-workers sitting around the lunchroom complaining about how tired they were, I say, 'You should just get out and get some fresh air. It'll perk you back up!'"

Exercising with a group has also helped keep Cavignano motivated. "When we go out walking as a group, it seems like we're back before we even realize it," she comments. "But sometimes when I'm out by myself, I'm practically counting the paces to get back. Having other people to exercise with makes it so much easier."

Fitness has quickly become a part of Cavignano's daily routine. In addition to her lunch-time walk, she's found ways to build strength and flexibility exercises into her regular workday, doing stretches or knee bends, for example, while she waits for dental x-rays to develop. "I have it timed perfectly," she laughs. "One x-ray equals 20 knee bends—10 on one leg and 10 on the other." Cavignano also tries to do some aerobic exercise or strength training in the evenings at home. "You don't need fancy equipment to do strength training," Cavignano says. "If you don't have weights, you can use little bottles of water or even cans of vegetables."

Without dieting, Cavignano has lost 15 pounds in the last six months and says she feels much healthier, has more energy, and is better able to handle stress. And, she says, she can't wait for the getfit@mit challenge to begin. "Everyone in the Dental Service wants to be on my team," she says, "because they know I'll crack the whip!"

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