New year, new you, right? It’s that time of the year again when the New Years resolutions have been started and we are ever so motivated to kick those old bad habits and start fresh! What better way to recreate yourself then finally shedding those pounds, we so effortlessly gained over winter break, and get back in shape for your favorite time of the year, swimsuit season. So this week Her Campus is getting down and dirty at the Rec Center to find out how those smoking, hot North Carolina State girls (and guys) are getting in shape, maintaining their shape and staying motivated!
Make it a habit and Switch it up!
Gabriella Sinkovic, a professional golf management major, suggests easing your way into working out by “going to the gym every other day, and trying to create a schedule that works with your schedule.” Consistency is key here ladies, (and gents) you can’t get that slender body without doing a little hard work. Try and make an appearance at Carmichael Gym four days a week and alternate days. Research shows that “rest days” are equally as important as workout days because your muscles need time to repair. However, if you are the type that likes daily workouts then fine-tune that workout schedule by incorporating cross training. Hit the gym Monday, the pool Tuesday, Pilates class Wednesday, gym again Thursday, Friday take the day off, run outside (if it’s not freezing cold & your not too hung over) on Saturday morning, hit the pool again on Sunday.
Zoe Klein, a chemical engineering major, suggests to switch up your workouts, not only will it help you lose weight faster, but it will prevent you from getting bored with your routine. Klein gives a great tip because boredom often is a great excuse to avoid the gym. But going to the gym, and working out at the gym are two different things. Try to get the most out of your workout every time you go. Do cardio for at least thirty minutes and no more than ninety minutes during every single session.
Monitor your gym time!
Remember this is your time to improve yourself, so make it count! Never miss a cardio day because this is what burns fat. However, Morgan Kaman, another chemical engineering major, makes an excellent point that you need to monitor your gym time. She states, “I make sure I don’t stay at the gym for too long, so I’ll still make it back to the gym again tomorrow and I always take the stairs.” It’s more important to have enough energy to do consistent workouts so you can get into a daily routine.
Lift weights!
More importantly lift weights! Lifting weights will help you tone that skinny bod into a sexy bod. Do high reps, between 12-15, and low resistance in order to slender and tone muscles. Do low reps, between 6-8, and high resistance if you want to bulk up. Muscle burns an extra 30-35 calories for every pound of muscle gained and you need to burn around 3,500 calories in order to burn one pound of fat, so you do the math. Either way, I’m taking all the help I can get and I’ll spend that extra 20-30 minutes to get jacked!