Your college years are best spent busy. So where does that leave room for keeping up with your personal fitness? It’s hard work staying healthy with all of the unlimited junk food, parties, and lazy weekends that the college experience provides. That’s why in my series, Shape U, we’re gearing up for a semester of fitness 101, featuring tips and tricks to maintaining your shape this season.
Okay, not all of them are strange, but I’ve thought of a few, we’ll say non-traditional, ways of fitting your daily workout into your schedule. And the best part is, finding little ways to stay fit can be as easy as plopping down during your busy schedule for 5 minutes. You’ve got that kind of time, right?
One of the strategies I find to be not only effective, but quite a good way to break a sweat is TV exercise. Sounds just about as cheesy as TV Dinner, I know, but you might be surprised. Nowadays, cable companies include the on-demand feature in some packages, which allows users to watch shows and clips from several categories with the push of a button. If you, a neighbor, or a friend has access to these types of fancy upgrades, search for “workouts”, “Exercise TV” or “sports” in the on-demand section. I’ve found several 10-minute quickies that don’t require equipment or hand weights (and their free if you’re watching your friend’s cable!)
Some of my favorites from these quick clips help to get your buns, thighs and abs in shape (the focus of many women in particular). You and a friend could simply press play and let the instructor on-screen advise you about leg lifts, squats, and several tummy exercises.
If you don’t have on-demand viewing power, sites like ExerciseTV.tv have some of the same simple exercises available for download. Additionally, workout moves that you may never have considered could be found by doing a quick search on Youtube, using keywords related to the area of your body you want to target. So why go to all this trouble? I find that exercising along with an instructor (even a virtual one) keeps me on pace so I don’t slack during my movements. They remind you of things like your breathing, your posture, and the focus required to make a full, effective movement. 10-minute workouts aren’t (or at least shouldn’t be) just shorter, easier versions of a full, intensive workout. They are designed to maximize your time by cramming in as many sweat-inducing moves as possible, so with an on-screen trainer, accidentally slipping into slowness isn’t an option.
Looking for other weird ways to get in shape? Ever tried plunking down wherever you are for some butt busters? I actually feel a nice soreness in my thighs and buns after this one: Lay down on a couch, the floor, a plot of grass on campus, or anywhere. Rest your feet flat on the ground so your knees are in the air. Now, press through your heels to left your hips upwards, repeatedly. You should use your buns to “squeeze” the glutes upward and feel that burn.
If lying down in public isn’t your thing, stay standing with some stair steppers. Stairwells on campus, at your apartment complex, or a public building that are safe and not crowded will be a great place to dash up and down to get both the heart and your muscles pumping. Keep your legs steady and strong, and avoid “cheating” by really focusing on your muscles squeezing to do all the work. Don’t rely on lifts from your knees and joints.
Similarly, you might see fitness experts pick out a nice, flat plot of grass to do forward-moving lunges. You don’t need stairs to do this one. Lunge your knees forward, using the upper legs to lower and raise yourself from the lunging position, which will move you forward as you continue, one leg at a time. It might seem odd to be lunging slowly across the sidewalk, but if no one’s around, give it a shot! Just as running to your destination is healthier than driving, lunging somewhere (as ridiculous as it sounds) is better even than walking.
Lastly, don’t forget to invent your own wacky workouts! Even if you’ve never considered a TV quickie when it comes to exercise, your friends won’t find you so odd when after several sessions you start shaping up and getting toned. This just proves that you don’t need machines or hefty equipment to be successful. Anything from calf raises at your desk, to quick instruction from a Youtube video can work for you.
Photos courtesy of Google Images.
December 9th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Hey keep it up. I just graduated college and can totally relate to you. It is so easy to fall out of shape during school. Also, Exercise TV’s website is definitely a good place to see workouts. It’s a pretty easy site to navigate as well. Good advice.
December 10th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I myself think that this so true. When you have classes or homework you don’t get to workout and exercise, like you are use to doing all the time. I really believe that once you graduate and are out working on your career that you have more time to dedicate to other things like staying in shape and healthy. I have found it more easy to workout and diet while out of school. Thanks for this great article.
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Bye
Suky
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That’s why in my series, Shape U, we’re gearing up for a semester of fitness 101, featuring tips and tricks to maintaining your shape this season.
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