Friday, January 27, 2012

Isn’t it the worst feeling ever when you finally get the courage to go to that Group X workout only to have confidence destroyed because you can’t even touch your toes? I know I’m personally not very flexible and when I can’t even touch my toes it kills me. However there is good news! Stretching as little as ten minutes a day can do wonders for your body, as well as make you look good at your workout!


Stretching improves circulation, range of motion, posture, and your ability to relax.


There are two different forms of stretching - the “warm up” and the “cool down”.


The warm up is important because it helps to raise your body’s temperature before a workout, increases blood flow, promotes oxygen supply to the muscles, and helps prevent injury during an exercise. In addition, stretching puts the body and mind into the right state to help you get the most out of your workout.


The cool down is equally important because it helps prevent blood from rushing to the limbs, prevents the build up of lactic acid (the cause of soreness), and stops the muscles and tendons from becoming tight and stiff.


Now before you run along and start stretching there are a few tips you should know.

1. Balance your stretches. For every stretch on one side equally stretch the other.

2. Avoid over stretching. You should feel a slight pull at the peak of the stretch.

3. Go slow. Stretching should be slow and smooth; pulsing and pushing too far can cause damage to the muscles.

4. Most importantly, don’t forget to breathe! Remember stretching is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable.


If you’re not so sure how to get started with this wonderful activity, Campus Rec offers classes that may give you that extra push you need! Yoga and plyo-pilates classes are great ways to gain flexibility, and it just so happens the Rec Center offers classes Monday through Thursday at a variety of times.

By following these few tips and devoting only ten minutes a day to stretching, you should be able to keep up with the best of them at your workouts! But it is very important to remember that stretching the wrong way can be just as fatal as not stretching at all, but as long as you follow these simple steps you’ll be touching your toes in no time!



Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Your Ticket to Simple Fitness

So we as college students have those semesters where we have no time to do anything but schoolwork. These are usually the semesters that you see students gain a ton of weight because they forget to get up and move. I mean if I had free time during a crazy semester I would spend time with my friends not hitting up the gym.

So how do you avoid this the weight gain during these crazy busy times?


First off, don’t forget to watch what you eat! Just because you are super busy, doesn’t mean that you should forget to watch what you eat. It can be so easy to just run and grab some fast food when spending hours upon hours at the library, but doing this all semester will have negative consequences. Remember to make good, healthy food choices first and foremost. Veggies instead of chips, fruit instead of cookies, simple decisions like that will keep you healthier in the long run.


Next, get up and move around! Sitting in class, and then sitting around studying is a lot of sitting during a busy semester. Believe me I know! I took 18 hours one semester and sat in class all day everyday and then sat at my dining table doing homework all night. I know you think you don’t have time to work out for hours, but you don’t have to. Here are some simple exercises you can do as a 10-15 minute study break.


Stretching – Bend down and touch your toes! Doing simple stretches gets your blood flowing and helps you focus on your work after your break.


Push – ups – Whether it’s the girly kind or the regular kind doing a few pushups will keep your arms looking good.


Sit-ups – Doing a few reps of sit-up and crunches will keep your tummy flat, toned, and ready for swimsuit season.


Lunges - These are a great way to keep your leg muscles strong.


So get up and get moving! Just because you don’t have time to work out an hour or two a day doesn’t mean that you don’t have time to work out at all. Doing even a little, simple workout is better than none at all!


Your Ticket to Campus Rec - Erin

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Your Ticket to a Healthy New Year!

For most of us, every New Year reminds us that maybe we should do something this year to better ourselves, whether it’s physical, intellectual, spiritual, emotional, career and finances, our environment or our culture. However, most of the time we don’t follow through. I know my goal of running 2 miles five times a week didn’t last that long. But there is one goal/resolution that you should give a shot.

By doing this one simple thing everyday you can increase your energy, focus, heart health, and much more.


So what is this amazing habit that you should do everyday? EAT BREAKFAST.


By eating something for breakfast every day you are greatly increasing your overall health. Think about this: When you eat dinner at 6pm or 7pm at night, then don’t eat again until noon the next day, your body is going without its essential nutrients to run properly for 18 hours! That’s a long time to go without food!

Eating in the morning when you get up will also increase your mind’s ability to focus. This is because by eating you are giving your brain the glucose it needs to function properly.


People who eat breakfast tend to have less body fat and lower cholesterol, which greatly increases their overall heart health.


Breakfast eaters usually tend to have a healthier immune system as well. Which is a really good thing since we are right in the middle of flu season.


You’ve heard of athletes who carbo – load before games or races for an extra boost of energy. Well this isn’t just for athletes. By eating a breakfast with a healthy balance of carbs, fiber and protein, you are giving your body the energy it needs to get through the day.


Eating breakfast can actually make you skinnier. This happens for a variety of reasons. One reason is that by eating a healthy breakfast you are giving your metabolism a boost and eventually speeding it up. Also, by eating regularly your body is able to digest properly. Skipping meals causes your body to go into starvation mode, so when you eventually do eat, your system thinks it needs to store every calorie rather that burning them off. This means that even though you are skipping meals you are gaining fat. The last reason is that by eating breakfast, you are less likely to gorge yourself later when you do eat. We’ve all been there. You just get so hungry you eat everything you see without thinking. Well, if this is an everyday thing at lunch or dinner, all those extra calories add up quickly.


So next time you think that you don’t need to eat breakfast, keep these facts in mind. It will lead to a healthier New Year and a healthier you.


Your ticket to a Healthier New Year! - Erin


http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/many-benefits-breakfast

http://www.symptomfind.com/nutrition-supplements/benefits-of-eating-breakfast/

www.thedailymeal.com