Get Moving

Easy Ways to Get Moving
by Claire Mongeau

Although college – and college food – can be fun, exciting, and a great way to meet new people, all those late-night pizzas and greasy cafeteria food can take its toll on your body. Taking care of your body makes you healthier, of course, but also leaves you with more energy to tackle classes and work. Here are some easy ways to get moving:
1. Walk. Never underestimate the power of a good long walk outside. Walk to classes, walk to run errands, walk with your friends. This is easy to accomplish on smaller campuses where every thing is close enough to get to in ten minutes. Larger campuses may have buses or shuttles, but if you have the time to walk home a few days a week, do it. You’ll burn calories and learn things about your campus that you’ll never see zipping by on a bus.
2. Make full use of your gym. The machines and weights are a great way to work out indoors, but also check out if your gym offers work out classes. Often gyms have many unique options, like yoga, martial arts, or spinning, for very low prices or even free! Putting a class on your calendar gives you a set time and day to work out and meet new people.
3. Find a work out buddy. Many of your friends will be in the same boat as you, exercise-wise, and this will give you a chance to hang out and get in shape at the same time. Find someone with the same workout goals and who enjoys the same kind of exercise as you. Set up a weekly time to go for a run or a bike ride or spot each other while lifting. Having someone to work out with means you have more motivation not to skip on exercise and someone to encourage you to get better.
4. Apps. If you have an iTouch or iPhone, there are many exercise apps available to download that offer several work out moves and circuits you can do at the gym or even in your room. The Nike Training app, for example, has 15-, 30-, and 45- minute work outs that provide full-body cardio exercise or focus on certain muscle groups. Best of all, most of these apps are free!
5. Join a club or intramural team, even if you’ve never played soccer or Frisbee or flag football before. You meet new people, you learn something new, you hone your talents, and before you know it you’ll have spent two hours working out!
6. No matter what, pick something that you enjoy. Exercise can be hard and sticking to a plan is difficult. The only way you will be able to motivate yourself to work out is if it’s something you like to do. It might take a few tries to find that something, but stick to it!

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