thePULSEBy Sarah Deschene
Summer days are now behind us (sad but true), and class schedules, papers, study sessions and pizza dominate the days and nights of college students. There’s so much on your plate that you might be wondering how you’re going to manage sticking with, or even starting, a fitness schedule when your academic schedule is so insane. The answer might surprise you: there’s actually no better time than your college years to focus on your fitness training, and I’m going to show you how.
We all know that you feel better, concentrate better, and have more energy when you work out and eat a balanced diet. Why is it that college students have a bad rep for eating junk, sleeping late, and abandoning the gym ~ just at the time you need it the most? Stop for a second and think: what would your life be like if you looked fantastic, fit into your fav jeans, and didn’t crash halfway through your afternoon classes? There is a very simple way to make that happen, and you, dear college students, are in the perfect position to accomplish getting into the best shape of your life while barely putting a dent in your social life (and, since gyms tend to attract hotties, maybe even revving up your social life!)!!
Chances are you’re now pretty familiar with your school’s fitness facilities and realize that they’re equipped to accommodate almost any type of workout, almost any time of day (some are even open 24/7). Now, let’s devise a plan that’ll let you get the most out of the facilities and turn you into a real head-turner who has more energy that you know what to do with!
Step one is to set a goal. That will require asking yourself a bunch of questions. What do I need to accomplish THIS semester? Do I need to lose the freshman 15 you already put on (that’s right, those 15 pounds aren’t just as urban myth, and they don’t just creep up on the ladies ~ guys can gain just as much!)? Do I want to increase my energy level so I can make it through the day and keep my GPA in tip top shape? Do I need to improve my agility and power for my football game? Do I want to make the swim team this year? The goal you set is personal and up to you, but it is important that you think about it, make sure it’s tough but reasonable, write it down, and then stick to it. Yes, it’s going to take a lot of self-discipline, and yes, you’re going to want to slack off sometimes ~ but remember that the good workout habits you develop now will stick with you for the rest of your life ~ and can even extend how long the rest of that life is!
Now ~ how do you achieve your goal?
First, keep in mind that, in addition to amping up your stamina, trimming you down, and making you stronger, having a regular fitness routine can be FUN!! But the key to “making it happen” is consistency. Make a schedule and stick to it. Get to your school’s gym and do your lifting, then hit the track or the treadmill for you cardio. Switch up running and swimming laps if your school offers a pool. Most schools offer group classes, and a pretty good variety at that ~ take advantage of them and make them work for you. Incorporate cardio classes like spin and cardio kickboxing into your routine, and supplement with Pilates. The worst thing you can do is limit yourself to one type of exercise. Keep your body guessing by challenging it with heavy lifting one day, core training the next. You will be amazed at the results you see when you vary your routine.
You have a great opportunity to use some wonderful facilities available to you at your school. It’s up to you to make the most of it while it’s still there. Get out there and hit it. You will be happy you did!
