For some of us, busy schedules make it seem like there’s no time to pay attention to our exercise and food habits; after a while, that can really take a toll on both your body and mind. Remember that goal you had to avoid the freshman 15? Well, I had it, too, but alas, those 15 somehow made their way into my life. It’s difficult – especially during the winter – to maintain the motivation to lead a healthy lifestyle; you’re busy with homework, and also might not want to make that trip to the campus gym if it’s snowy and freezing. But now, you don’t have to worry about trekking through the cold, or loosing sleep because you feel obligated to go work out, because my team and I have found a list of 100 different exercises you can do in and around your room! Here are some of our favorites (to see the full list click on the link above):
Cardio:Jumping jacksStadium runRunning up and down the steps in your dorm building
Arms and Chest:Push-upsBicep and tricep lifts (using any moderately heavy, practically sized item in your room)Arm Circles
Legs and Butt:Squat jumpCalf raiseTiptoe squats
Core:Sit-upsPlankChair-knee lifts (great for when you’re studying and you need a quick pick-me-up)
Back and Shoulders:Back extensionShoulder holdITY
General Strength Training:Good MorningsMilitary drop (also called Burpees)Lunge reach and twist
Stretches: it’s important to stretch before and after you do any exercising so you decrease your chance of injury.
Remember, it’s better to exercise between 10-30 minutes every day, rather than 60 minutes every other day!
It’s also important to stay hydrated: drink lots of water every day (if you want to calculate exactly how much water you should be drinking a day, click here); it’s also wise to invest in a good water bottle (i.e., a CamelBak or a Nalgene – if you love your water bottle, you’ll probably drink more water).
In conclusion, it’s best to fit some kind of physical activity into your schedule every day, whether it’s power walking up and down the hills on campus, or doing jumping jacks and crunches in your dorm room. You don’t have to go to the gym to get a good workout in, and you can even do little things while you study. Get creative with it, collegiettes! Happy exercising!