Exercise on the Go: Simple ways to fit a little fitness into your daily routine

Between a grueling class schedule and an active social life, students can find it difficult to fit regular exercise into their routine. But before you cave into the “I’m too busy to work out” mentality, consider this: exercise relieves stress and gives you more energy to tackle all the other tasks making demands on your time. With a few simple adjustments to your schedule, you can add a little physical activity to your life without sacrificing your school or work.

Join the club!

Extracurricular activities not only spice up your social life and add to your resume, but they are a great way to add some fitness into your schedule. When deciding which club to join, consider something active. Does your school have a running club or maybe an intramural volleyball league? Joining a sports-related club will do wonders for your energy level. But even if your club isn’t active by nature, suggest team-building “meetings” that get the group moving together. A regular friendly soccer game can go a long way to building team spirit, even if you belong to a debating team or the campus newspaper.

Don’t take the easy way out.

When faced with a third-floor class, take the stairs. If you take transit to school, consider biking instead, especially during the warmer months. If you live too far away to bike, do a combo: take your bike on the bus and get off a few stops sooner. If you drive, park at the far end of the parking lot to maximize your walking time. It may seem simple, but adding even a little bit of cardio into your daily routine can do wonders for your heart.

Take a break!

Even the most dedicated studier needs a little break. Make a deal with yourself: study for 45 minutes and then take a 15-minute brisk walk to clear your head. Do this over a four-hour period and voila: you’ve gotten a full hour of exercise! Not only will this benefit your heart, but it will also make your study sessions more productive by increasing your level of concentration. During a particularly busy time, like say exams, team up with a friend who is also studying for the same tests. Use your 15-minute walking sessions to go over the material and quiz each other.

It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. 

When you’re busy, it’s easy to justify putting off regular exercise altogether. After all, when you are juggling work, school and a busy social life, who has time to hit the gym for an hour? But lack of time shouldn’t be an excuse to forgo all exercise. Instead of taking an hour in the gym, go for a ten minute run right before you have to jump in the shower. When you’re watching TV, use commercial breaks to do weights or jumping jacks. Stop thinking about “working out” as an activity that needs a specific amount of allotted time and start fitting it in throughout your day.

The first step towards becoming physically active is to make a conscious decision to do it. Once you’re feeling better and more energetic, you may even find yourself doing tasks quicker and having an additional three hours a week to take advantage of your school’s free athletic facilities.

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4 Comment(s) 

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Quatonomy wrote:	Ever since I started gaining weight from the medication I was taking, I've been on the search for the really slim me again. These tips will definitely help me to juggle a healthy, fit lifestlye as well as juggle school and friendships. Thanks! Posted on Aug 29, 2012 at 11:20
universitybound3 wrote:	These ideas are smart, should difinitely try them out! :) Posted on Aug 12, 2012 at 02:04
Mandyfuller wrote:	There are some great ideas for exercising and productive studying.The walks will be a great boost for the whole body and mind!Thanks for the tips! Posted on Jan 26, 2011 at 02:48
tedirun wrote:	Healthy lifestyle I'm interested how students can have healthy life style while studying and working. Time is never enough. These tips are helpful. Thanks. Posted on Jan 18, 2011 at 12:48

 

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