Beach-Ready Bods

The sun is coming out, nice weather is creeping up on us, and spring break is right around the corner. Many college students are going on trips to soak up sunny beaches and warm water. Spring break is often a light at the end of the tunnel for burnt-out college students, but the pressure to have a rockin’ beach body also comes with it.
The Houston Huffman Center is starting to get packed with people hoping to get a few last minute workouts in. “Every time I go to the Huff, it’s twice as packed as it used to be. People are definitely here because of spring break.” OU sophomore Sarah Thomas said.
Students should realize they can’t completely change their bodies in a matter of a few weeks, but they can make a difference others will notice.
There are many important things to be conscious of when it comes to short term shape-ups. It’s crucial to have a balanced workout, eat a healthy diet, drink a lot of water and get plenty of sleep.
“Living in the gym for a week isn’t going to do a lot for a quick fix. There are other things students need to incorporate for visible differences,” said Jeff Ragan, Kaizen Concepts fitness trainer.
So don’t jump on the treadmill for hours just yet. Start by doing 30-45 minutes of cardio 4 days per week. This will burn calories and provide a range of health benefits.
Although it is a good place to start, cardio alone will not get you that lean body you want. Include resistance training to help sculpt your muscles and build more definition.
When it comes to eating, calorie restriction is necessary. Aside from the number of calories, what you put into your body also matters. Avoid sugary junk foods, and look for foods that are high in fiber, which will keep you full longer. To avoid hunger, eat snacks between meals and drink plenty of water.
If students are conscious of these simple things before spring break, they will be feeling healthier and enjoying their trip much more.

Here's what OU student Michelle Stephenson had to say about her spring break preparation:

Turn Off that Treadmill

When the Norman weather gets too chilly for a walk outside, the treadmill seems a little flat, and the weights seem to just get heavier, why not try something new? The word “Yoga” probably sparks an image of someone in tight Capri pants sitting in the “Lotus” position with their feet tucked up on their thighs and humming. The truth is, you don’t have to be a spiritual nut to enjoy yoga.
College students are often overwhelmed with their lives and responsibilities. They have busy schedules and never stop to take a breath. Yoga is not only for exercise, but great for relaxation. Here are a few reasons why it’s a good idea to grab an exercise mat instead of the TV remote when unwinding after a long day of class.
1) Stress Relief – Yoga can reduce the physical effects of stress. It can lower blood pressure and heart rate. It also eases symptoms of anxiety, depression and fatigue.
2) Pain Relief – Yoga eases aches and pains from headaches to arthritis pains.
3) Increased Strength – Yoga uses every muscle in the body, helping to increase strength from head to toe.
4) Weight Management – Yoga can help control weight by burning calories and reducing stress and also provides a sense of well being.
5) Cardio Conditioning – Yoga increases endurance levels and improves oxygen uptake during exercise.
For all you skeptical college students, here is the information you were really waiting to hear. Yoga classes don’t have to take up much time or money. Classes can fit into your schedule; lasting anywhere from 20 minutes to 90 minutes. The cost depends on the particular yoga studio, and there are many in the Norman area.
For a list of the local studios and more information, go to http://www.yogafinder.com/yoga.cfm?yogacountry=USA&yogastate=OK&yogacity=Norman

Top Five Struggles for College Students

Academic success isn't the only goal for college students. College years are also a great time to develop positive health and nutrition habits. Whether it’s late night pizzas or crazy schedules, most students encounter challenges in maintaining a healthy lifestyle in college. So, to all of you midnight snackers, and 24-7 studiers, you’re not alone. Here are some of the most common struggles students face.
1. Negative Body Image: “I look so fat today!”- Your perception of how your body looks forms your body image. Many people have skewed body images, which can affect their self-esteem, relationships, eating behaviors and fitness levels. In college, students are under a lot of pressure to look good to be accepted by peers. The pressure is even greater if they’re living with other students in Greek houses or dorms. In these group living situations, there’s no escaping the “Yuck! Look at my thighs!” comments. This negativity can make students self-conscious about their own body, even if they never worried about it before.
2. Lack of Time: Whacky Schedules- College life is most likely very different from the routine students used to have. At home, it was probably easier to eat at regular meal times, sleep at regular hours and have a pretty normal routine. Now, class schedules change all the time, students are all too familiar with all-nighters, and many students have to juggle academics, friends, family, work, and extracurricular activities. Having class during meal times is also a common problem. Active college students need to eat at least every four hours. Students who skip meals suffer from a drop in blood sugar levels. This causes energy, concentration, and mood to drop as well.
3. Absence of Physical Fitness: Not a Fan of the Gym- Hate the gym? Not a runner? Don’t have time to exercise? Changes as simple as walking or biking to class instead of driving or taking the bus make big differences. Exercise, even just a bit of it, is crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is an important way to reduce stress, improve your mood, and even give you energy. And let’s all be real, with the amount of work that goes into a college degree, that extra energy is needed.
4. Poor Diet: The All-You-Can-Eat Buffet Line at the Cafeteria- When students get to college they are often overwhelmed by all the dining choices available. They no longer have Mom cooking well-balanced meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In college it is even more important for students to be aware of what they are putting into their bodies and be careful not to over-indulge, because they have no one telling them what to eat. Students become victims of the vending machines in the dorms, the chocolate cake in the dessert line, and the Pizza Shuttle after the late-night drinking.
5. Not Enough Z’s: No One is Getting Their Eight Hours- Most college students may think they are nocturnal; however, it is very important to get enough sleep. The average person needs about 8 hours a night, and college students are no exception. There may be so much to do once you get to college that you find you are not getting enough sleep. A lack of sleep leads to students feeling more stressed, or depressed. They can also have a hard time staying awake and concentrating in class. And finally, a lack of sleep leads to the body’s immune system not being strong enough to fight off germs, so students will catch colds and minor illnesses easily.
So just remember, you’re not the only one on campus who has struggles when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Grab a buddy and encourage each other to start making some small changes. It’s never too late to start building healthy habits.

PWOP/SOP Assignment

My PWOP is a close-up of one of the shelves in my room. It represents me, while also going along with my blog topic. I love to exercise because being healthy is very important to me. I feel better when I'm healthy, and that affects so many different areas of my life. Although I'd like to say it's on a daily basis, I'll be honest and say I exercise frequently. That is why my picture includes hand weights, a water bottle and my IPOD.
My SOP is a picture of the house I live in. It doesn't really have much to do with my Blog, but I just think it's beautiful! I took the picture at an angle in which I thought the sidewalk would be seen first and lead the viewers eye up to the house, while not being the main focus of the picture. I got all of the house in the picture because I just think a huge house with white pillars and a huge tree in the front yard represents something classic. Although it's not a beautiful day outside, I think this picture captures the atmosphere.