Off to the Races

My name is Barb and apparently I’m the local fitness guru as the Ambassador of Vandy CHAARG, a trainer at GetFit615, and covergirl for InsiderVU. As a Senior, I feel obligated to let you in on some healthy tips and tricks that have worked for me in the past 3 years — try them and see if they stick! 

Healthy #eeeeeeats

• Commons: get a full-size salad, then add a grilled chicken breast at no cost if you aren’t veggie/vegan. All of it counts as one entree. Check the gluten-free freezer in the back for the rare sighting of Perfect Bars. They’re perfect. The smoothie station and (C)omelette stations will be back next week — use these for a boost of nutrition! Chef’s Table usually has great options for a rounded-out meal — you can check ahead of time online if you want! Hankering for carbs but still want some nutrients and fiber? Try my Slutty Sweet Potato. Grab a baked sweet tater, then carry that warm packet of joy to the dessert counter — see those crumbs of cake, pie, brookies, + so on? Put those in your tater. If that’s not your style, fill it with PB+J, topping with cereal for an extra crunch (I recommend Cinnamon Toast Crunch). No one said you had to be perfect to be healthy!

• Rand: THE BOWL STATION WOW. It’s new and it’s great. Skip the long Randwich line and grab a salad (to-go/to stay) for a huge amount of food and fresh veggies. To-go sides can round it out and you even have room for a coffee ; ) Also, Pi and Leaf for a great salad with salmon/avocado if you have a hankering — pair it with breadsticks for some extra carbs

• Kissam: Generally healthy and delicious all around. Big lines for Burger and Italian night, but well worth it. (Read: blackberry ketchup on a lamb burger, yo.) Additionally, I’m not all about salads — I try to balance my plate by making sure 25% of it is protein (fish, chicken, plant protein), 25% of it is a carb (rice, taters, quinoa, etc.), and 50% is veggies/fruit. Sometimes all of it is ubiquitously “healthy,” but sometimes I take a cookie for my “carb” portion. I’m always about having cookies with my salad for that emotional and physical health (pro tip: eat your sugars right before or after going to lift!)  
• Munchie Marts: protein bars, frozen meals (check the organic/vegan/veg options!! yum.), nuts, the bright green Tropikale smoothie, etc. make the best investment for a hearty meal. I’m still salty about hummus being an entree. Try not to rely on this option too much since it won’t get you the most food per meal swipe.

Extra tips: buy things like bananas, milk, oatmeal, and yogurt yourself — it’s cheap and you can make some mean overnight oats to tote to class the next morning! For veg/vegans: follow VIVA for more specific tips!

Move, move, move — workout tips

• Sign up for CHAARG if you haven’t found a consistent workout tribe yet — attend our fun studio spotlights and small groups as much as you can — not only can you pencil them into your schedule, you have a plan and friends. We don’t care what fitness level you are, as long as you give it your best shot : )
• Secret spot: Alumni Gym. Go downstairs, under Bamboo Bistro there is a gym with everything you need for a mid-day break. Best part? The women’s locker room has a nice shower and locker so you can easily get back to work/class without having to trek to your room!
• No time? Do it first thing in the morning. There’s no work, school, meetings, or anything. You can read tips here to make this process as easy as possible!
• Boring reading? Take it to the treadmill (carefully).
• Long paper/studying? Take it to a standing desk.
• Have some audio of lectures? Take it on a run.
• Don’t like any of the above but need a break? Check out @chaarg or type in “15 minute workout” into YouTube. Blood pumping = more blood going to your brain = more attention and retention of material.
• Totally dead? SLEEP. Seriously. Even like a 20 minute siesta helps me refresh — I do the whole nine yards with lavender oil, a sleeping mask, and phone on silent to maximize this. 
• Still tired? CHUG A CUPPA WATER. This is my huge problem. Workin’ on it. (Super tired? Chase it with an espresso. Maximum impact. Follow with more water as per usual.

Basically, it doesn’t always mean getting in a certain amount of time at the gym, or going to the gym at all! It means loving your body for what it’s meant to do — move.

Have more tips/questions? Ask me at vandychaarg@gmail.com!

• CHAARG
• exercise
• fitness
• healthy eating
• vanderbilt