FitU — Chico State Skip to Main Content
California State University, Chico

FitU

FitU is a transformative 8-10 week program designed to support students in developing healthier relationships with food and exercise. Participants receive personalized guidance through a total of 8 individual sessions with experienced mentors in both nutrition and physical activity.

FitU is not a diet program or a personal training service.

About the Program

When you sign up for FitU, you’ll receive personalized guidance through 8 individual sessions with our experienced peer mentors. You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with two types of mentors: four sessions with a trained nutrition mentor and four sessions with a trained physical activity adherence mentor. These sessions are scheduled around your availability, alternating weekly throughout the semester to provide consistent support.

Our program is available to all Chico State students and applications are open at the beginning of each semester. 

  • Total Cost: $50 up-front
  • Completion Reward: Earn $25 back when you successfully complete the program.

Program Structure

Over the course of the program, you’ll have weekly one-on-one appointments with expert mentors in both nutrition and physical activity. Each session is customized to meet your unique needs, ensuring that you receive the guidance and support necessary to make meaningful progress.

Here’s how your sessions are structured:

  • Session 1: Nutrition Counseling Appointment
  • Session 2: Physical Activity Counseling Appointment
  • Session 3: Nutrition Counseling Appointment
  • Session 4: Physical Activity Counseling Appointment
  • Session 5: Nutrition Counseling Appointment
  • Session 6: Physical Activity Counseling Appointment
  • Session 7: Nutrition Counseling Appointment
  • Session 8: Physical Activity Counseling Appointment
  • A colorful salad bowl with radishes, microgreens and apples.

    Nutrition Mentoring

    Our nutrition mentoring is rooted in a non-diet approach, focusing on fostering a positive relationship with food rather than prescribing restrictive diets. Sessions are tailored to each client's needs and interests, covering topics like:

    • Listening to Your Body: Learn to recognize and respond to hunger and fullness cues.
    • Emotional Eating: Understand and address the triggers behind emotional eating.
    • Managing Cravings: Explore strategies for dealing with food cravings.
    • Meal Planning: Get practical tips for planning and preparing balanced meals and snacks.
    • Body Image: Discuss and develop a healthier perception of your body.
    • Fueling Exercise: Learn how to fuel your body to support your physical activity routine.
    • Dining Out: Navigate dining halls and restaurants to make balanced choices.
  • Staff member checking a students knee mobility with a machine.

    Physical Activity Mentoring

    Our exercise mentoring sessions focus on helping clients overcome motivational barriers to regular physical activity. We encourage small, sustainable steps toward increased fitness and discovering enjoyable ways to stay active. Common discussion topics include:

    • Exercise Benefits: Explore the physical and psychological advantages of regular exercise.
    • Activity Ideas: Discover ways to be active both on and off campus.
    • Fitting Exercise into a Busy Schedule: Learn time management strategies to incorporate exercise.
    • Staying on Track: Tips for remembering and sticking to your exercise plans and goals.
    • Overcoming Barriers: Troubleshoot challenges like bad weather and time constraints.
    • Making Exercise Fun: Find enjoyment in physical activity through music, workout buddies, and more.

Philosophy and Tips

At FitU, we recognize that both nutrition (fuel) and physical activity (fitness) are vital to your overall well-being. Our program is designed to help you find balance and joy in both, making your health a top priority.

Understanding the Role of Food
Eating is more than just a biological necessity—it's deeply connected to our emotions, habits, and perceptions. While everyone knows the link between food and health, making nutritious choices can still be a challenge. Time constraints and financial concerns are often cited as reasons for poor eating habits, but the real barriers are often mental and emotional.

Breaking Down Barriers to Healthy Eating
FitU is here to help you overcome these barriers. Many people label certain foods as "junk food," associating them with guilt or negative feelings. However, at FitU, we believe there’s no such thing as "junk food." Our goal is to eliminate the negativity associated with eating certain foods, allowing you to fully enjoy your meals without shame or guilt.

Research shows that when foods are demonized and restricted, it often leads to binge eating and unhealthy relationships with food. Our nutrition mentors will guide you in recognizing and transforming your attitudes towards food. By learning to see food as a source of pleasure and nourishment, you can start to build a healthier relationship with what you eat.

Building Healthy, Enjoyable Eating Habits
Through personalized sessions, our nutrition mentors will help you develop strategies for planning and preparing balanced, enjoyable meals. You’ll learn to trust your body’s natural signals, ensuring that you eat the right amount at the right times. By removing the emotional barriers to healthy eating, FitU empowers you to make nourishing choices that fuel your body and enhance your quality of life.

At FitU, we believe that both nutrition (fuel) and physical activity (fitness) are essential components of a healthy lifestyle. Our program is designed to address both aspects, empowering you to improve your overall health and well-being.

Why Fitness Matters
It’s no secret that physical activity levels often decline after high school. Busy schedules, lack of motivation, and unanticipated barriers can make it challenging to maintain an active lifestyle. Many people start new exercise routines with enthusiasm, only to abandon them a few weeks later. This is often due to unaddressed obstacles that stand in the way of sustained activity.

Our Approach: Personalized Support for Lasting Change
At FitU, we understand that sticking to a fitness routine can be tough. That’s why our physical activity adherence mentors are here to support you—not as personal trainers, but as partners in your fitness journey. Rather than assigning rigid workout plans, our mentors work with you to identify and overcome the specific barriers that might be hindering your progress.

  • Tailored to Your Preferences: Whether you enjoy walking, hitting the gym, biking, or dancing, our mentors will help you find ways to make these activities a regular and enjoyable part of your life.
  • Strategic Problem-Solving: In one-on-one sessions, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your challenges with a trained mentor who will guide you in developing practical solutions. Our mentors are equipped with a variety of strategies and creative ideas to help you rethink your approach to fitness.
  • Sustainable Habits: We know that changing behavior isn’t easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. By working with you to create a fitness program that aligns with your preferences and lifestyle, we aim to help you establish habits that you can maintain for the long term.


A Fitness Program That Fits You
Ultimately, the best fitness program is one that you can stick to. At FitU, our goal is to help you create a personalized fitness plan that not only meets your goals but also brings you joy. Together, we’ll ensure that physical activity becomes a fulfilling and sustainable part of your everyday life.

Stay Focused on What Matters: Your Health and Success

Balancing education, social life, and career ambitions can be overwhelming. It's easy to let your health take a backseat when you're juggling so many responsibilities. However, neglecting your well-being can have a ripple effect, impacting your academic performance, social interactions, and job productivity. At FitU, we understand that maintaining your health is essential to achieving your goals in all areas of life.

Why Focus on Health?
When you prioritize your health, you’re setting the foundation for success in everything else you do. As your well-being improves, so too does your ability to excel in your studies, enjoy your social life, and perform at your best in your career. That’s why FitU is dedicated to helping you stay on track with your health goals, ensuring that you have the energy and focus needed to thrive.

Structured Support to Keep You on Course
To help you maintain momentum, FitU offers a structured program with eight sessions over the course of 8-10 weeks. These sessions provide regular opportunities to meet with your nutrition and exercise adherence mentors, ensuring that you receive consistent support and guidance.

Here’s how your sessions are organized:

  • Session 1: Nutrition Appointment
  • Session 2: Physical Activity Adherence Appointment
  • Session 3: Nutrition Appointment
  • Session 4: Physical Activity Adherence Appointment
  • Session 5: Nutrition Appointment
  • Session 6: Physical Activity Adherence Appointment
  • Session 7: Nutrition Appointment
  • Session 8: Physical Activity Adherence Appointment

A Partnership for Success
Throughout the program, you’ll have the chance to ask questions, receive personalized feedback, and stay informed. Your mentors are there to help you reflect on your progress, offer recommendations, adjust your routine as needed, and most importantly—cheer you on every step of the way! This ongoing support helps you stay focused on your health while balancing other important aspects of your life.

At FitU, we believe that when you invest in your health, you’re investing in your future. Let us help you stay on course, so you can achieve your goals and enjoy a vibrant, healthy life.

Ditch the Diet and Discover a Healthier You
Tired of diets that leave you feeling exhausted, irritable, and deprived? It’s time to break free from restrictive eating and become a confident, competent eater. At FitU, our nutrition mentors are here to guide you toward a healthier relationship with food using a holistic, sustainable approach—no pills, potions, or fad foods required.

Embrace Food and Your Body
Learning to love food and your body is a transformative journey. Whether you’re navigating dorm dining, cooking for the first time, or already an experienced chef, our nutrition mentors will meet you where you are and help you find simple, enjoyable ways to eat better. We believe that eating should be a positive experience, tailored to your unique needs and lifestyle.

Find Your Own Path to Fitness
Just like with eating, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to getting active. Our physical activity mentors are experts at helping you increase your activity in a way that feels natural and manageable. They’ll work with you to develop a routine that fits seamlessly into your life—no stress, no pressure, just progress.