Valentine's Day at Harvard. It's over, thank God. Left in the wake is that empty bag of Hershey's kisses from mom and dad. Chocoholica has manifested itself as Bikini-notica-Spring Break is only six weeks away! Desperate for post-Valentine's Day fitness? It's all about the MAC for some good old-fashioned working out.

Shelly McDonough '94, director and head instructor of aerobics at the MAC, says the best way to burn off that extra Valentine's Day load is to "choose a workout that one is going to stick to." The best way, she says, to start a fitness routine is to find a level of exercise that "you can do for 20 to 30 minutes. For beginners, this might just be brisk walking."

McDonough's prognosis is optimistic for the unfit Harvard student. Though aerobics neophytes might not want to jump directly into the Master Combo/Intermediate Advanced class offered on Sundays, she stresses that "all classes are accessible to almost everyone. Depending on your level of fitness, you can adjust the workout to your level."

Besides banishing the chocolate chub, MAC aerobics can ward off the post-Valentine's emotional doldrums as well. McDonough is a firm believer in the mental benefits of exercise, and explains that "exercise releases endorphins in the brain" that are often cited as the source of an exercise high. "I'm no medical authority, but the mental aspect of exercise is huge. The endorphins put you in a good mood." But what's better, a chocolate rush or an endorphine high?

Call the Center for Wellness & Health Communication at 495-9629 for more info.

A. M. Fitzgerald