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Fitness with Finesse: The Best of 2013 Health Trends

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UFL chapter.

The year of 2013 has seen all kinds of trends in health and fitness — some guaranteed to get you in tip-top shape, while others not so much! Here are some of the best of the year. Don’t worry, you still have time to get on trend!


Best Out-of-the-Gym Workout: Swimming 
Working out in the water adds extra resistance without hurting your joints. Also, according to research from Baylor University Medical Center, people who do pool exercises enjoy their workouts more than those who stick to dry land. You heard it right, it’s time to hit the pool!

Best Fun Workout: Fun Runs
Want to do something a little more exciting for your workout? Check out the Color Run, the Gator Run, or the Midnight Fun Run for an amazing fitness experience that will inspire you to keep running and never stop!

Best Diet Trend: Going Vegan (or trying it out!)
More than just eating plants, a vegan diet is all about eating healthy, good food that is proven to lower cholesterol and blood pressure while helping you maintain weight! You don’t have to give up your favorite foods for good, however, because even part-time veganism significantly contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Quinoa, anyone?

Best New Meal: Brunch
While some enjoy brunch after a long, hard morning of sleeping in, getting a full breakfast is sometimes hard to do for busy college students. After an early class and possibly a hurried granola bar, make sure to get a fully balanced meal with protein, fruit, and grains to energize you for the rest of the day! Try oatmeal with a smoothie or potatoes and eggs for a healthy kickstart.

Best Trending Drink: Tea
Calming, antioxidant-rich, and perfect for cold weather, tea is the perfect companion for any occasion. This year, cooking and baking with tea became the fashionable thing to do.

Try out these trends over break, and don’t forget to stay healthy! 

Cara oversees Her Campus Media's community department and serves as strategic lead for the expansion, development and management of all HCM communities, including the Her Campus Chapter Network, InfluenceHer Collective, College Fashionista, Spoon University, Campus Trendsetters, alumni and high school. She works closely with company leadership to develop new community-related sales offerings and the Integrated Marketing team to support all community-focused client marketing programs from end to end. Cara has experience working with high-profile talent, such as Jessica Alba, Andrew Yang, Amber Tamblyn, Aja Naomi King, Troian Bellisario, Jessica Marie Garcia, Nico Tortorella, Nastia Liukin, Rebecca Minkoff, Cecile Richards and Samantha Power, as well as brands like Coca-Cola, L'Oréal Paris, The New York Times, HBO, Uber, H&M and more. Having been a part of the HC family since 2011, Cara served as Campus Correspondent of the HC chapter at the University of Florida where she studied journalism, women’s studies and leadership. A New Yorker turned Floridian, Cara has a Friends quote for any situation. You can usually find her with her friends and family at the beach, a concert or live sports event or binge-watching Grey's Anatomy or Sons of Anarchy. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @thecararose.