Now that the spring semester has officially started, let the countdown to spring break begin! Uh-oh, not quite bikini body ready? Time to get that body moving! With Gregory overflowing with people this time of year, no one wants to see everyone they know when they workout. Not to mention that a committed workout regimen at the gym can get old and repetitive pretty quickly. Luckily, with Austin being the active city that it is, there are tons of other options!
Get acquainted with nature: One reason to be grateful for the mild Texas winters is that now is the perfect time to venture down to Lady Bird Lake and jog or bike along the trail. Take a break from campus life and enjoy the scenic view of nature. If you walk or bike from the south side of campus through downtown it’s only about two miles, and you can enjoy the sights of Austin as you go! Or for a more relaxing, yet active, outing, venture off campus to Zilker Park with your friends for a game of ultimate Frisbee.
Try something new: A great way to keep workouts interesting is by trying different activities through classes. Don’t fret if you’re strapped for cash and decide to skip out on Gregory’s TeXercise pass. For all you yogis out there, Black Swan Yoga is a donation-based yoga studio; meaning that participants are encouraged to donate a small amount each class, but are not required to pay. Another option is Down Dog Fitness, which offers free outdoor boot camp classes every Sunday morning.
Put on those dancing shoes: Sneak in some exercise on the weekend by having a girls’ night out. Going dancing with your girlfriends can burn about 300 calories in one hour, so enjoy the pulsing music and let loose while getting fit! Just be sure not to gain back all of those calories with drinks. Stick to vodka and sugar-free Red Bull for a lower calorie option. Want to learn some new moves for the weekend? Check out the student organization, Longhorn Salsa, which hosts free weekly dance workshops on campus.
Give back: What could be better than being active and giving back to the Austin community? Nothing! Volunteer with Austin Pets Alive as a dog walker. This way, you can get the exercise you need and interact with cute dogs at the same time. Another activity that burns calories while giving back is city clean-up. Keep Austin Beautiful is a great organization to get involved with to get active and help keep our city clean and green.
Little changes in your lifestyle can also amount to greater results in the long run. For instance, if you live on, or relatively close to, campus, leave for class a few minutes early and bike or walk instead of taking the bus. Take the stairs up to your dorm instead of the elevator. Ultimately, find something you enjoy doing and stick with it. You’ll be ready for a trip to Barton Springs in no time!
Sources:
Dancing Calories Burned Calculator
Black Swan Yoga
Austin Pets Alive! Volunteer
Down Dog Fitness
Keep Austin Beautiful