Leeza Malachevsky, a sophomore mechanical engineering major at the University of Maryland, epitomizes what it means to be fit and healthy in college.
In addition to her own workout plans, eating healthy, and working towards becoming a CRS fitness instructor, Malachevsky also rows crew for the women’s club team at UMD.
The UMD women’s club crew team practices five times a week at 5 a.m. on the Anacostia River and races multiple times throughout the semester at regional regattas.
Malachevsky started rowing last semester and is now the social chair for the team.
“I had a couple of friends on the men’s team and I thought it was really cool for the longest time and last semester I decided to try it and I never looked back,” Malachevsky said. “I really fell in love with the sport; I don’t really know what it is about it. I like that it’s a team atmosphere, but not a contact sport.”
Malachevsky described rowing crew as a “fantastic workout,” and said that there are huge perks to rowing club crew at UMD–despite waking up for practices at 4:30 every morning.
“People think we’re crazy for waking up so early, but seeing the sunrise, it’s immediately worth it,” Malachevsky said.
Malachevsky also described the team as a family.
“I feel as though I have a place on the team where people can come to me when they want to do something and I can plan it,” Malachevsky said. The club crew team often has dinners before races and has socials with other club sports.
In addition to rowing, Malachevsky runs, does yoga, and lifts weights on a regular basis.
“[Staying healthy] is important to me because there is a big difference to me in the way that I feel when I upkeep myself. I have more energy, I’m mentally well-off,” Malachevsky explained.
Malachevsky encourages anyone who wants to get fit to push themselves and do it, because “it’s definitely a worthy lifestyle change.” She recommends people research the many health resources available online and write down personal health goals.
“Once you have something written down, it’s so much easier to stick to it. It’s so satisfying to check something off [a list],” Malachevsky said.
Eating healthy is also a big component when staying healthy, and Malachevsky admitted that she tries her best to do so despite “the occasional chocolate craving.” Malachevsky is a vegetarian and loves to cook meals in her apartment.
“I have fun with it, healthy food is pretty!” Malachevsky said.
In order to make sure that she balances her school work, her workouts, her extra-curricular activities, and maintaining a healthy eating pattern, Malachevsky plans out the week ahead every Monday. She even schedules when she can take naps.
“I have to make sure I’m adequately prepared for [long days],” Malachevsky said, since her days often start at 4:30 a.m. and end at 7:30 p.m. Malachevsky packs healthy snacks in the morning to take with her during the day.
As a well-rounded college student, Malachevsky also makes time for her other interests –one of which is singing. Malachevsky is a member and musical director of Kol Sasson, a Jewish a-capella group on campus.
Kol Sasson sings a combination of Hebrew and English songs. They perform for a variety of audiences. Kol Sasson makes a CD every two years, and will begin production their upcoming CD next week.
Malachevsky found that Kol Sasson was a perfect fit for her as a singer.
“I sang in high school. I knew I wanted to be in an a-capella in college, but I never thought I would be in Kol Sasson. Now I can’t imagine it any other way,” Malachevsky said. “I needed a way to get integrated with the Jewish community and [Kol Sasson] was perfect.”
Although Malachevsky’s schedule is busy, she admits that she doesn’t let the thought of the future daunt her.
“Right now I’m focusing on doing things that make me happy and working hard.”