Do you live on campus for the summer, or visit someone who does? Do you work at the University of Ottawa, or nearby? Read on to find out how you can keep healthy and active on campus with these golden tips:
1. Use those Fountains – Stay Hydrated!
The University campus has at least one water fountain in every building, if not multiple on several floors. Since 2011, we are a bottled water free campus, for ecological and sustainable reasons. Rather than using this as an excuse to buy a 3$ pop, bring a reusable water bottle and take advantage of free fountains to stay hydrated. 8 cups a day they say! Hi Allan…
2. Visit the Vitamin D Hot Spots
Vitamin D is known as the ‘sunshine’ vitamin, as our skin is able to make it when exposed to the sun. It keeps your bones and teeth healthy plus has other benefits such as fighting some types of cancers and keeping your serotonin “happy hormone” levels up. Here are some sunny hot spots on campus: Tabaret lawn, Sandy Hill Community Park, Strathcona Park, and obviously the beautiful Rideau Canal!
3. Get Personal with a PT
Team up with a PT (personal trainer) to help you achieve specific fitness goals, where you WILL track your progress! Getting a professional to walk you through a specialized program tailored to your specific needs is one smart way to get real results. Our campus has some of the best personal trainers around, check out our current promotion and sign up for a free consultation!
4. Yummy Tummy Options
Although the UCU food court is undergoing renovations to make room for the 24/7 dining hall, there are other great alternatives! Café Alt is a top favorite with delicious organic, gluten-free, and healthy options. That pesto Bocconcini sandwich with tomatoes and traditional pesto has me drooling at night. Première Moisson in FSS is also a favorite with their fantastic salads, quiches, fruits and sandwiches– if you can resist purchasing those cloud-like buttery pastries you’re good to go! Check out Food Services home page for the full list and hours of operation.
5. Be Active from 12:10 – 12:50PM
Do you work at the University of Ottawa? Lucky you! There are fitness classes offered from 12:10 – 12:50 JUST for employees of the University. You can either purchase a punch card to participate in Monday – Friday drop-in classes of your choice, and/or you can register for 2 other programs: Employee Yoga and Desk Jockey. Browse through your employee fitness perks.
6. Drink Light on Your Favorite Patios
You can only resist grabbing a drink at F&S for so long! Let the temptation win but try to opt for lighter beverages that have fewer calories and less sugar than mixed drinks or cocktails. Perhaps Sangria, a wine spritzer or a light beer. Then smother on the nachos! Just kidding, they have salads…
7. Have a Weekly Motivation
There’s something about group fitness classes that offer a superior sense of motivation and energy rather than working-out alone. The music, the cues, the instruction, the people watching ;) Whatever it is, it works! If you have an all-inclusive gym membership you can take advantage of free group fitness classes. You can also sign-up for registered classes such as martial arts, dance, yoga, Pilates, spinning, weight training and more!
8. Take a Plunge
Going for a swim is a fun way to cool down from the summer heat! Swimming laps is a fantastic way to work on your cardiovascular conditioning while also providing your muscles with a full-body workout! The University of Ottawa has an Olympic swimming pool in Montpetit Hall that is the perfect escape from those extreme heatwaves in July and August.
This article was written by the University of Ottawa Sports Services department. Get in touch with them via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram: @geegeesrec
Photo Credits: University of Ottawa Sports Services