As the days warm up, many people are ready to shed the holiday pounds and get in shape for summer. Those who are anxious to get their ready for the beach, especially Winston-Salem State students, may find that getting healthier and looking better is easier than it seems.
Exercise is a fundamental part of any fitness regimen and easy to implement into one’s lifestyle. Students can visit one of four gymnasiums to sweat off the pounds. One gym, Donald L. Evans Fitness Center, is located in the Thompson Center and offers a variety of equipment, tailored fitness services, and personal training sessions.
Marie Dias, assistant to gym director, Valerie Hood, said that the gym has recently started a new program called “Ask The Trainer.” This program offers students a specific time to go to the gym and speak to a certified personal trainer about any heath concerns and questions.
Another initiative, the “No Equipment-No Excuse Work-out Program,” was designed for students who wish to be healthier but do not have the time to visit the gym. This program includes comprehensive lists of exercises that can be performed from the comfort of home or dorm room, as well as detailed directions about how to design a do-it-yourself exercise program. Some easy exercises that can be done at home include push-ups, lunges, toe touches, and abdominal crunches. With options like these, students and faculty alike can grace the local beach in a bikini or Speedo with confidence in no time.
It is a simple fact-everyone doesn’t do the gym. As a matter of fact, some people cannot stomach the idea of performing conventional exercise moves at all. For those who want to exercise without converting into regular gym goers or aerobic junkies, there are many other options.
Students should consider walking to class, no matter how far it may be. In addition, those who drive can also maximize their daily activity by parking far away from classes and taking the “long” way to class. Another way to get moving and keep the heart rate up is to avoid the elevator and take the stairs. It takes great endurance to take the stairs, but your legs will look fantastic in the process.
While pursuing a fit and toned summer body, it is important to maintain a healthy diet. For student whose food choices are limited to the selection available in the Ram Shack, Java City, the C-Store, and the Café, healthy options are within reach. It is important to be serious about making food choices that are high in nutrition and low in calories.
For example, instead of grabbing a double bacon cheeseburger, seasoned fries, and Pepsi for lunch while in the Ram Shack, be kind to your waist line and opt for a lower fat cold cut sandwich, baked potato chips, and a bottle of water. Similar healthy options can be found in all the food venues on campus. “Java City” has a selection of salads and low calorie beverages, The “C-Store” offers Lean Pockets, wheat bread, and turkey meat, while the “café” has a salad and sandwich bar as well as vegetables available with the higher fat “homestyle” foods.
Whether you desire to look great in a sundress, toned in a pair of swim trunks, or just slimmer in general, the healthy body that you want is easy to achieve. All you need is a pair of comfortable shoes, a good attitude, and a plan.