Making excuses to not workout?

Is your schedule so packed this semester with class work, and student organizations that you have no time to workout? If you answered yes to this question, then ask yourself how much time do you spend browsing Netflix a day? It seems like suddenly when you manage your time, you have an open schedule to workout without an excuse to why you can not. The second most common excuse I hear from college students is that they are always too tired from all their other obligations to go and workout. The thing that those students don't realize, is that working out actually gives you more energy then you would get from watching TV or sitting around. Working out gives your body energy by getting the blood flowing, and producing endorphin's to make you feel your best. So if you want your body to feel it's best, then plan ahead of time when you can go and workout at the rec center. The most busy times at the rec center are typically are mid-mornings (between 8 and 11 a.m.) and early evenings (4 to 7 p.m.). If you can avoid going at these times, then you can get your workout done in an even shorter amount of time to fit into your busy college schedule. Now put those excuses aside redbirds, and go start up your workout! 

College Is Your Time

College is our time.  This is the time to branch out, and find out who, as an individual, you really are.  There are no more parents forming schedules, what students can/cant do, and also their health.  College is time for students to take their health in their own hands.  There are so many students that tend to fall into the trap of eating unhealthy just because that is the way that they were raised.  This is the time that students can shape what their eating habits will look like for the rest of their lives.  Coming up with a plan to eat healthy is an active way to changing bad habits (click here for a website to help). Also, this is the same for getting in shape.  College offers so many different types of ways to get active, and go out and do something.  Illinois State University offers many types of ways to get active through their campus recreation website( click here for the website).  This is our time as students to shape a healthy life for ourselves.  Get out and do something active, and create a healthy eating plan.

 

Bored of lifting weights, or running around the track..?

Have you been going to the rec center too frequently? Are you bored of doing repetitive exercises alone? It's time to add variety to your workout! It's not too late to join one of over 30 sports clubs here on campus! Illinois State University offers a wide range of sports clubs such as Soccer, Wake boarding, Paintball, Quidditch, and many more. Sports clubs are run primarily by the students, and are welcoming to all skill levels. Clubs typically practice on or near campus twice or more per week, so you can add variety to your weekly workout. Sports clubs are a great way to meet new people, sharpen your skills and most importantly get active!

The Wonders of Sleep

Sleep is something that all college students are in need of.  Many students stay up late every night just to study!  College students barely get any sleep.  They are trying to cram for tests and doing homework, live the college experience, and extra RSO activities.  College students need an average amount of 6-7 hours of sleep.  Many students would be appalled at this number, but sleep is something that our bodies need.  Students think that being healthy would never have to do with sleep, but it really does.  Sleep allows our bodies to function.  Click here to learn more about sleep and college life.  Students think that staying up will give them more time to get all of their class work done.  The way to solve this is to understand the way people retain information( click here for this website that says more about retaining information).  Being healthy is understanding that resting is also important.  

 

Hold up... Until you warm up

Are you warming up with a couple stationary toe touches and a lap around the track? If so, then you may not know the full benefits of a proper warm up. Warming up before any exercise, stimulates all of your body by allowing fluids to flow through your muscles and joints. A proper warm up will help maximize your workout and reduce the likelihood of any future injuries. Dynamic stretching can be utilized in all sports, and is used to propel your muscles in a extended range of motion greater then achieved from traditional static stretching. According to Runners world, "Avoid static stretching i.e. holding stretches for a period of time. Although it may seem counter intuitive, the goal of a running warm up is to warm the muscle, increase circulation and prepare the muscles to be on point to fire. Static stretching targets the muscle to relax, and impairs their ability to store energy." When weight lifting, make sure you do a warm up set with very light weights. Adding in a proper warm up set will allow your body to get used to the movement and form of the exercise. Next time you are headed to the gym, make sure you take some extra time to properly warm up your muscles.

Lets Get Back to our Roots!

Over the past one-hundred years the way people eat has changed immensely.  Most foods today are processed in some way, and have everlasting effects to peoples eating habits and health.  College students are affected by this the most.  During, college its easy to eat unhealthy because it is cheap.  However, it does not mean that it shouldn't or couldn't be done.  The dinning centers have plenty of ways to create meals and snacks that feed the needs of healthy living college students.  Getting back to our roots is also important.  So many foods are processed, so there are unique ways to try new ways of breaking against the norm, and starting off their adult lives by doing it right(eating and working out).  Easy and fun ways to learn how to do this can be done by doing Whole 30, or trying out a Paleo Diet. Both of these lifestyle changes give a natural way of eating food.  It will revive everyone, and give more energy through out the day! Come check out both of these websites, and try something different.  Make college the time to break from the norm.

No protein? No gains. Post workout eating

Have you been hitting the gym, and not seeing any gains? This could be caused from the food you eat, or lack there of after a hard workout at the rec center. A rule of thumb that I have always heard, is that it all comes down to proteins and carbs. If you are trying to build muscle mass, eat at the minimum 30 grams of protein and 35 grams of carbs at least 15 minuets after your workout is finished. These forms of protein and carbs can come from any foods, or drinks you may like. Weather it's a protein shake, Chicken or Eggs, make sure you are giving your body the fuel it needs to fully utilize the workout. Head straight over to either dining center after your workout, so you can load up on carbs and protein.