By Alyssa Diaz
Nobody can become The Rock or Kim Kardashian overnight. It takes practice to stay healthy and active, but routines can be hard as a student.
“Staying active during the semester is important for college students, as it can have a positive impact on both their physical and mental health,” said Daniel Hill, director of the Fitness Center in Landon.
According to Hill, your mental abilities like memorization and problem-solving skills can enhance when you work out, not to mention it being a healthy diversion from the stresses of college life. You can battle isolation by socially interacting and developing your sense of belonging at Barry’s gym and participating in campus events.
By starting now, you can be ready for the beach this summer. But stay persistent if you want to maintain a good balance in a new lifestyle.
Here's The Buccaneer’s guide to mentally and physically reach your perfect beach body:
1) Change Your Eating Habits
It’s often difficult on a college campus. Normally that pizza is quicker to grab between classes and, let’s be honest, more appetizing. There are healthy options at the Dining Hall and the Fresh Market, or at least something you could like better than junk food.
“You need to start with a balanced diet. Focus on fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Limit processed foods. It's very important to stay hydrated and reduce the consumption of sugary foods,” said Hill.
We all have cheat days, so you don't always need to adhere to a rigorous diet. Instead, decide what foods would best support your training objectives. Use meal plans and prepare meals ahead of time. After a couple of weeks, the new habits will be easier, and your body will adjust.
2) Plan and Organize Your Weeks
It’s also important to take breaks between the gym and doing class work. So, you need to plan each day in accordance with your schedule and any activities that come up. Make healthy boundaries and rules for yourself—but stay lenient when you sometime slip up.
“It’s important that college students understand that taking care of their body would benefit them in the long run. We are all young, but most importantly we all want to be in shape. It won’t be easy, but in order to create change, you must change,” said Kevian Lewis, a senior majoring in communication & media studies.
Visit Barry's gym anytime you wish from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and spend a few hours before your day starts. If matters get hectic later, you won't have to stress about exercising and you'll have better time for your to-do list.
“You can register for an ISR course where you can get college credit and at the same time participate in exercise or engage in a sport. Students can also work out in their dorm rooms. You can always stay active wherever you are,” added Hill.
Use fitness apps to stay on track or a chart on your wall to monitor your progress. Anything to keep your body moving, try it. Make the best of your time not simply at the gym, but with the rest of your semester.
3) Exercise for a Personal Goal
Nothing will change if you don’t have confidence. Deliberately choose to concentrate on your exercise if you are serious about your goals. Start with a friend or family member.
Here's a quick workout challenge. Compress strongly at the peak of the final pull-up to strengthen your back. Follow through on the next couple of squats on leg day and those sit-ups for your core. You can't do it all on the first day.
“It’s the small things that can make a big difference. Don’t be afraid to outgrow bad habits and don’t make excuses,” said Lewis.
Don’t give up when improvements aren’t noticeable; trust the process. Embrace
the exercise to empower yourself.
Be disciplined and you can see progress in time to wear any swimsuit you want.