My involvement in sports has been a huge part of my life. Whether it was ice skating, gymnastics, dance, swim or (later on) water polo, I was consistently in a state of extreme exercise. In high school, I was on the varsity swim team during the fall season for three years and varsity water polo during the spring season for all four. However college-me is a totally different story. I simply don’t have the time or the energy to be involved in the school’s club swim and water polo teams, so it’s been difficult trying to keep up my high school athleticism. Staying fit physically has always been something that has kept me in good mental health, helping me destress from whatever the world is throwing at me during that era in my life. However, I have had to find new ways to get that exercise in in college, and I’m going to share them with you!
The rec center
The ARC will never fail to see me multiple times a week. Staying consistent can be difficult what with my STEM major scheduling, yet I always try to at least make an appearance. There are so many opportunities present at the Rec centers on campus, so why not take advantage of them? There are group fitness classes, a huge diversity of workout equipment, a POOL (indoor & outdoor) and even a sauna.
At first, the key to staying consistent involves doing what feels good for me that day. If it’s been an especially long day of classes, I will tend to skip straining myself with heavy cardio and do light weight-training instead. Some days I will feel significantly more restless, and will be up for the whole routine. All that matters is getting some movement in, no matter what.
skip the bus
The Illinois campus is huge, which can seem daunting at first, but you can use it to your advantage. My favorite parts of my day are my walks to class, especially around spring when the sun is beaming. Choosing to walk the streets of Chambana instead of taking the bus will ensure you get your steps in for the day while presenting you with your daily dose of vitamin D. So grab your coffee of choice, pop in your earbuds, and I’ll see you at chem lab!
On days when I’m feeling a little idle, I’ll get my friends together and go on late-night walks around campus, sometimes with a specific goal in mind (frozen yogurt…). I have had some of the most meaningful conversations of my life when going on these random walks. Anything works to pass the time and make you feel good about yourself as a plus!
Eat.
I know dining hall food can be difficult to get down sometimes, but you CANNOT deny yourself the proper nutrients your body needs. There is no way for your body to retain muscle if you are not getting enough protein and carbs. Eating good is rule #1 in staying strong, so make sure every meal is balanced.
I probably will never get back to my high-school-level strength and endurance, however I can always try to keep my health as consistent as possible. I encourage you to do the same.
All you have to do is start.