Fitness at home and fitness at college are two very different things which I have come to learn during my first semester at school. At home, my schedule is more free, lenient, and unstructured. I can workout whenever I want and however I want since I have little to no obligations at home. In addition, at home I have a larger access to food, and don’t have to rely on whatever the dining hall is serving on a certain day. However, in college, I have a more structured schedule due to attending classes, studying, and maintaining a social life. This has made prioritizing my fitness more difficult and I had to learn what works for me in terms of fitting it into my busy schedule.Â
One thing that has motivated me a lot to stay fit is going to the gym with a friend. Having a friend accompany you to the gym will push you to keep up with their pace, while making the experience more enjoyable. I have found that going to the gym with a friend also alleviates gym anxiety (anxiety based on the feeling that people are judging you at the gym). Although most of the time people are focusing on their own workouts, gym anxiety is very real and something I have experienced especially since the UConn Rec Center is very crowded usually. However, when I’m with a friend, I am able to bounce off their energy and not get in my head as much while working out. Going to the gym with a friend also helps me so that I don’t quit as easily. This is because if someone is doing the workout with me simultaneously, I feel like I need to keep up so that we can motivate each other to finish.
In addition, I have found that joining the different group fitness classes the UConn Rec Center has to offer has helped me stay fit. My personal favorite classes have been spin classes but the Rec Center offers other classes such as dance fit, pilates, yoga, and more. The instructors are experienced and are very good at motivating everyone to keep up and put their one hundred percent into the class. However, going to the gym isn’t the only way to get exercise. I have found that walking to my classes everyday, rather than taking the bus, has helped me get my steps in and feel more energized throughout the day. This also allows for more time spent outdoors which is beneficial for boosting one’s mood.
It definitely can be difficult to stay fit while at college due to the unlimited supply of food the dining halls and other on campus establishments provide. Many refer to this as gaining “the freshman fifteen” which is something that I think has some truth to it. This is because it is so hard to restrain yourself from getting second and third plates of the many foods that are offered. Many of us don’t think anything of this since we are paying for a meal plan that allows us to get as much food as we want, so we fail to realize the unhealthy habits we develop.
That being said, I allow myself to get the foods that look good even if they are considered “unhealthy.” My mentality is that as long as I have everything in moderation, I can maintain a balanced diet. To keep my diet balanced, I make sure to consume my daily intake of fruits and vegetables. To do so, I make sure at least a quarter of my plate is fruits or vegetables for every meal, and I have found myself feeling more energized throughout the day because of this. Also, protein is a very important component in my diet and keeps me feeling strong and fit everyday. Although college dining halls sometimes don’t have the food we are craving, there is always a good source of protein such as grilled chicken or salmon available.
Keeping fit in college has its challenges, but I try to maintain my fitness through getting enough exercise as well as eating nutritious foods on a daily basis. Although it can be easier to stay fit at home, it is just as important to stay healthy in college too no matter the obstacles in your way. Staying fit allows me to feel my best everyday and live a more balanced lifestyle.