“But I Don’t Have TIME For The Gym!”

Related Content

Last 5 stories in Health & Fitness

• Cancer Survivor Kicked Out of School for His Hair - February 6, 2012
• Asylum - January 30, 2012
• Cancer Patients…You’ll Want to Hear This! - November 23, 2011
• There Are Only Two Seasons! - September 27, 2011
• Just Relax! - September 20, 2011

Other stories that might interest you...

• Get Healthy and Fit
• Foods To Eat For Your Workout
• Old Workouts Not Working? Then Try Something New
• How To Lose Those Holiday Pounds
• Not Getting Enough Sleep?

By Aly Halter, Editor
December 1, 2009
Filed under Health & Fitness

These days, it’s comical for most of us to even think of making time for the gym. We are all bogged down with papers, projects, end of the semester activities, club wrap-ups, and holiday events, and we’re all stressed to the bone. And we haven’t even started studying for finals yet!

Although a quick trip to the gym can be a great stress buster, that includes changing, getting there, working out, coming back, and showering.  That’s a lot of time that could be spent crossing something else off our to-do list, right?

There are still little things we can do to stay fit when we don’t have time to hit the gym.  Read on for some tips for these busy times.

• Take the long way – avoid the elevator, walk the long way to class, and take the steps two at a time.  Although this is a miniscule difference at the time, all of these little things together can add up!
• When you need a break from your studies, flip on the T.V. and do some crunches.  Paired with some push-ups or squats, you’ll have a mini workout right on your floor that won’t take more than 15 minutes.
• Call a friend when you need some time away from your room.  Take a walk to Port City Java, walk the sidewalk loop around campus, or take a brisk walk around the Preserve.  It will take your mind off all of your million things to do, and it’ll give you a mini cardiovascular workout.
• Take your readings/study materials to the gym.  You can kill two birds with one stone if you can ride the stationary bike, work the elliptical, or walk on the treadmill while getting reading done!
• Eat healthy foods that will aid your body during stressful times.  Fill your diet with almonds, fish, broccoli, whole-grain rice or pasta, sushi, milk, cantaloupe, cottage cheese, beef, fortified breakfast cereal, and blueberries.  Avoid caffeine, fried and fatty foods, and animal foods with high levels of protein (these will increase levels of stress-causing dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain).

Good luck with your end of the semester stressors!