Ways for College Student to Maintain Health and Fitness

Eating healthy and staying in-shape is becoming harder and harder for college students to do now a days. Long days and nights cramming for exams, poor eating habits, minimal cash for groceries, and pizza nights have been the staple for most young students during the college experience. After a quarter or two, let alone a year or two, even a 19 year olds body can become subject to the dreadful "college weight gain". For those of us college students who would like a little guidance or just an extra push of motivation, this article should provide some of the necessary information that will help improve your overall health and fitness goals.
I took the time to gather information from several active University of Cincinnati students who were able to give me a great insight into how we can all not only get in shape but improve our overall level of health. These students included factors such as how to find the time to workout with a busy schedule, what exercises are most beneficial and how the average struggling college student can eat a nutritionally sound diet.
Senior Heather Thomas told me that she finds it easier for students to work out right after their classes are done for the day. "This allows you to get your workout done right away, without being able to find any excuses for why you couldn't make it to the gym." Junior Jared Butts agrees that this is an excellent approach to staying consistent and ensuring that you don't miss your workouts. Butt's stated that "If you can fit your workouts in earlier during the day you will find that no only will you miss less workouts, but you will also find that you have more energy during the earlier hours of the day."
In terms of the most beneficial exercises for students to use, I was able to email members of the Queen City Nutrition newsletter to receive their take. Members were able to give me more than enough good advice on exercises that my readers could easily perform while gaining quality results in their fitness routine. Tom Roberts told me that a workout consisting of prodominatly cardio-vascular activity along with moderate weightlifting is best for those trying to lose weight or stay in the best possible shape. Roberts added that "cardio-vascular workout are the best for not only cutting fat but also keeping the heart healthy." Rebecca Hammond replied that "Eliptical machines, treadmills and stairs steppers are not only great for performing cardio-vascular exercise but they also tone the legs as well." Hammond also added that "Cardio should be performed for about 45 minutes to an hour at a time for about four to five sessions a week."
Members Brent Friedson and Lauren Jacobs were also very helpful in providing me with more tips on great workouts. Friedson informed me that "weightlifting workouts should be performed about five times a week at high intensity." This will insure that muscles are being worked hard enough to grow yet they are given enough time to rest. Jacobs added to this helpful info by stating that "performing at least a half an hour of cardio after your training is most effective over performing cardio activity before weight training." The body is able to burn calories faster and at a much more significant rate when workouts are performed in this manner.
Urban Active diet consultants and University of Cincinnati students Kristen O'Neill and Hannah Spieles concluded my fitness questionare with their thorough input on how college students could most successfully eat a well rounded diet without surpassing their tight budgets. Spieles first stated that "The best route to eating healthy for less would be to make sure that you are only buying the necessary foods that are required in a healthy diet...it makes no sense to buy any side items that are adding unnecessary calories to your daily diet." O'meill commented that "The only items on your grocery list should include fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, and whole grains...all necessary to eat a healthy sound diet." Avoiding the junk food and snacks will not only make your trip to the grocery store cheaper but it will also keep your diet cleaner and your health up to par.
Overall, our bodies and health are the most important things that we own. We must do all we can in order to ensure that we take proper care of such a significant investment. Wether it's working out everyday of the week or twice a week, its best to ensure that you perform some type of exercise in order to keep oneself in good health. I hope that everyone can find these lessons helpful throughout their college life and beyond. We must remember that our bodies will treat us exactly how we treat them. In the long-run if you live by this simple phrase then you will be most likely to ensure that your health and fitness is a very significant part of your everyday life.