Regular exercise is imperative for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and can easily be made an enjoyable part of the day with a few fun activities. Rather than thinking of it as one more daily task, put aside some time for physical activity that can be stress relieving and energy boosting.
Boxing is a great way to blow off some steam while burning extra calories, and dance classes are a surprisingly good workout, if you can really get your body moving.
If you don’t want to join a class, just turn on the music at home and dance like no one is watching!
Yoga is another great way to tone up and avoid weight gain. You learn to control virtually every muscle and joint of your body, while allowing your mind to relax. Of course, swimming is also a great way to fit in some cardio while toning muscles, as it uses almost every major muscle group.
Swimming aerobics strengthens the heart and lungs, providing most of the benefits that running does without straining any connective tissue.
Only you can figure out what is the most effective and enjoyable form of exercise for yourself. When beginning a routine, it is important that you include cardio, muscle conditioning and flexibility exercises. Not only will you begin to look fit, but your self-esteem will naturally improve as well.
Exercise is a natural stress reliever, anti-depressant and mood booster because of its ability to increase serotonin levels and the endorphins that are released during activity. These endorphins can also sharpen brainpower, allowing the mind to concentrate on daily tasks.
With this said, what is stopping you from gaining some self-worth and much-needed energy on those “down days” in the dorm room?
Maybe you are just too lazy to crawl out of bed in the morning, or you just don’t know where to start. Well, pick up a fitness magazine or read online about being active to provide a little inspiration.
The first step is to set goals for yourself that focus on time and participation, rather than weight loss. Watching every pound will not keep you motivated, but instead lead to frustration if the goals are not met. Award yourself in some way (not with food!) when exercise goals are met and recognize that added muscle does mean added weight.
It is much easier to stray from a schedule than to get on one, so consistency is key. Making workouts habitual by planning exercise as a part of your daily routine allows your body to adapt to the activity, causing you to feel weak and sluggish when a day is missed.
Though exercise should become a habit, it should not become a bore. Keep things interesting by doing a different routine every day and confusing your muscle memory in order to really tone up.
Another fun way to keep things interesting is to have a buddy who you can share tips with and who will help you stay motivated. Someone to chat with and push you that extra mile will make your time much more enjoyable and effective.
Listening to music and varying locations is a great way to spice things up. Soak up the natural beauty or enjoy people-watching in the local parks and neighborhoods. Be sure to record your progress in a log, so that you can keep track of which routine works best for you. Looking back on how your goals are accomplished can be very motivating.
When you start off a routine, it is important to remember that slow and steady wins the race. Working yourself to a point of exhaustion in the first week will only discourage you in the future.
Start off with a light jog or an afternoon rollerblading on Bayshore, where you can enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. If you prefer the gym, try intervals on the elliptical, Stairmaster and treadmill to mix things up a bit.
It is crucial that you take at least one day a week off to allow your body to heal. Take hints if your body has had enough and needs a rest, you will be thankful in the long run.
Exercise does not mean you must plan to run a marathon. Simple things such as using the stairs rather than the elevator or parking farther away from your destination can make a surprising impact. For most, 15 minutes of cardio each day is sufficient and, if you cannot run, then a brisk walk for 20 minutes should be just fine.
Didn’t your mother always tell you to practice perfect posture? She was telling you this for a reason. Not only does slouching often appear to be a sign of low self-esteem, but it can also lead to a flabby figure.
Though it may not be as comfortable, sitting up straight helps to avoid weight gain and ward off back problems. So suck in that tummy and sit up straight.
Most importantly, remember that every person has their own unique shape. Exercise is a great thing if you are looking to lead a healthy lifestyle, but can have very negative effects if done in a way that is harmful to your body.
Carolyn Hatch can be reached at cvhatch@spartans.ut.edu.
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