I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am most definitely not a morning person. The mixture of my alarm going off and mustering up the courage to motivate myself to get the gym does not make my ‘Top 5’ favorite list. Nor does winter term.
So what’s my solution, you ask? Going to the gym in the afternoon or between classes. But if that sounds over-zealous, don’t worry! Baby steps are in your future. Bursts of physical activity throughout your day amount to big calories burned (and not to mention kicking SADS in the butt). Follow these quick tips to get you up and moving.
Do you have your gym buddy?
Take a friend with you to the gym. Not only does it make the experience more fun, you and your friend are the perfect incentives to get each other to go more often. Pick a regular time, or frequency of your gym dates, that you would like to go during the week and make sure you go together. That way you can have someone to be sore (in a good way), active, and healthy with. Try signing up for a free class at the YMCA with a group, or even going to a Yoga, Pilates or Zumba class here at Lawrence (in the Wellness Center. It’s a great way to meet new people while maybe trying something you haven’t before.
Beyoncé is the gym’s best friend.
Maybe it’s not Beyoncé for you but whoever it is, music is a great way to pump up your workout and improve your performance* If you have a favorite song or CD, make sure you bring it with you to the gym. If you don’t make yourself a workout playlist, or get yourself that album you have been pining for. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something you can move or be active to. As lovely as Bach or Bon Iver sound, they don’t have the get-up-and-go quality needed to get you motivated.
Quick Change
Doing the same thing repeatedly not only takes its toll on your body it can get quite boring. Switch up between cardio and toning or even your location. Working out doesn’t mean you have to go to the gym. Work out in your room, with the assistance of a Pilates mat (only around $20), while watching your favorite TV show. Change the amount of time you work out for because maybe you don’t have an hour or two for the gym. Do a quick yoga routine or some 30-minute abs. You can even go to your workout buddy’s room and enjoy Beyoncé while doing so.
Not your average gym equipment
There is nothing quite as daunting as the Warch Campus Center stairs after eating in the commons but they’re a great mini-workout. Again, I can’t stress enough that the gym isn’t the only way to exercise so if you can’t make it there, or don’t have time to, take on the stairs or make sure to dance especially well at this weekend’s parties. Anyway you do it, make sure to get yourself up and moving this winter to fight against the Appleton winter blues. We’ll be right there with you!
* Sources: http://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article%20folder/musicexercise.html
http://www.bqefitnessclub.com/
http://idolator.com/5764891/beyonce-headline-glastonbury
http://singaporefitness.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/best-portable-fitness-equipment-for-singapore-personal-trainers-and-fitness/
http://chronicle.com/blogAuthor/Buildings-Grounds/4/30/Lawrence-Biemiller/19/