Staying Fit in the Fall

It is that time of year again- time for us to pack up and head back to UMaine to hit the books and reunite with friends. With the excitement of being back it’s easy to get off track with your workout routine and healthy eating. The thought of late night pizza and beer may sound like a good idea…until your new jeans don’t fit. We’ve all been there and have realized that making healthy decisions a habit from the beginning of the school year is the easiest way to avoid this situation!
           
Here are our best tips on staying healthy and fit at college:
 

1. Schedule your workouts just as you would schedule your classes and work

Writing in your weekly planner a time for you to hit the Rec Center or run the trails will help you actually get out and do it. Crossing it off your “To-Do” list will give you a sense of accomplishment and the motivation to complete your next work out.
 

1. Try out new fitness classes at the Rec Center with friends

When you have plans to meet a friend to work out, it becomes harder to cancel out of sheer laziness- you owe it to your friend! Working out with a friend makes exercising fun and you can push each other to do your very best. The Rec Center offers a free pass to try out some of the classes offered for the year in the first weeks so take advantage of this opportunity and see what classes are out there.
 
Here is the link to the Rec Center’s description of the classes they offer- http://umaine.edu/campusrecreation/programs/fitness-classes/#classes
 
3. Plan out your meals for the week before going grocery shopping
Planning out your meals day by day will help you eliminate the time spent searching your fridge for something to cook or lazily ordering food. Go ahead and indulge with pizza on a lazy Sunday but instead of throwing away the whole day on junk food, supplement it with a spinach salad for dinner.  Staying organized with a preplanned menu will also help you create more balanced meals. This way you can always be sure your kitchen is stocked with healthy foods!
 
UMaine’s Rec Center also offers cooking and nutrition classes throughout the year where you can learn from the experts how to prepare healthy foods. Have a sweet tooth? Check out their Smarter Sweets & Treats class on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m. Oct. 19^th– Nov. 30th in Hitchner Hall!
 

1. Pack healthy snacks for your time spent on campus

While it may be easy to stop in the Union and grab a slice of pizza in between classes, don’t let this become a regular habit. Bringing your own snacks will give you a reason not to browse Wells for some chips and snack on something a little healthier instead! 
 
                Our personal favorites:

• Hummus (Sabra brand!) & Carrots
• Almonds
• Fiber One 90 Calorie Chewy Bars
• Cashews
• Greek yogurt (Chobani’s) with fruit
• Luna bars
• Cliff bars
• Stacy’s Pita Chips
• Special K Fruit Crisps