It can be easy and fun to fit some exercise into your hectic day!
Everyone wants to look and feel their best. But often, college life can get in the way of staying healthy and happy through exercise. Too busy to go to the gym regularly this semester? No worries. With a little patience and determination, you don’t have to sacrifice your health because of your busy college life. Here are a few simple ways you can stay healthy and happy without making massive changes to your daily schedule.
Make the Most Out of Your Commute
For many students, commuting is a major element of college life. From making your way to your internship’s office to traveling from your dorm room to your next class on the other side of campus, movement is the key to keeping your heart rate pumping. Start by making subtle changes to your daily commute to maximize your activity and stay moving. No matter how luxurious that elevator looks, try taking the stairs. Give yourself 30 extra minutes and take the long walk to class. Have an old bike at home? Bring it to campus and enjoy the ride. Push yourself to incorporate a bit of extra activity into the things you do daily.
Free Gym? Yes, Please!
If your campus has a gym that’s free and open to students, taking advantage of its services and programs can go a long way in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Never been to the gym before? No worries. Many schools even offer fitness classes and personal trainers to help ease you into working out in a way that is best for your body’s needs. Start slowly by taking a few laps around the track. Once you feel warmed up, gradually increase your activity with gentle cardio on the stationary bike or the treadmill. If you feel even more confident, test out some light weights and strength exercises. If you’re too busy during the week to hit the gym, take 30 minutes to an hour out of your weekend to dedicate to learning the ropes. Sweat the stress away!
Stay Accountable and Bring Friends
To stay motivated, invite a friend or two to join you as you work out. Not only will you keep yourself accountable in your workouts and dedicated to personal growth, but you’ll also build a stronger friendship with your workout buddies! Set up a date and time to meet up with one another, and plan for a workout that suits your individual bodies and goals. Test the boundaries of your comfort zone and try new exercises together. Your relationship with your friends (and your health!) will thank you for it.
Keep Your Heart Ticking with Tech
One of the best ways to stay motivated to work out is by using apps to remind you to exercise, monitor your food intake, and track your progress. Seven, for example, offers users a simple guide to exercising by helping you reach your fitness goals with just a seven-minute workout per day. To eat healthier, Lose It! helps users count calories, plan meals, and even keep track of workouts, water intake, weight, and more. Maximize the effectiveness of your workout plan with the technology you use every day!
Feeling pumped up? Check back here at College Quest for more ideas on how you can make the most out of your college experience… the fun way!
Samantha Storms
Hofstra University
Despite her last name, this senior journalism and publishing student doesn't have dreams of becoming a weather forecaster upon graduation from Hofstra University. She is currently exploring her love of language as a Media Editorial Intern for the psychology team at Macmillan Learning. A true Pittsburgher through and through, Samantha enjoys knitting, listening to eighties pop, and searching for the best pho spots.
