Work Your Way in to Shape and into the College Scene

The time is finally here, the start of the new school year. It’s a new beginning for freshmen and just another year for the older students. During the summer I worked for ASI, Associated Students Incorporated, as an orientation assistant and a Rec Center presenter. The incoming students had just met each other and it reminded me of my orientation. Freshmen year is a stressful year, getting use to living by yourself, no parents, and plenty of temptations. For upperclassmen, it’s just another year closer to graduating. In college, a lot of people date. One key component on dating and feeling good about your self is having self confidence. The best way to build up or sustain self confidence is simply to work out and live and active lifestyle. Plenty of men and women see it as a positive characteristic if they know that you workout. Here are some basic steps to start an active and healthy lifestyle.

•Cardio Endurance -. It makes your heart strong and keeps your body going. Shoot for 3 or 4 days of cardio exercise like running, walking, swimming or any activity you enjoy.

•Muscular Endurance - If you're new to strength training, start with a basic strength workout 2-3 times a week or learn more about weight training to see how you can set up your own program.

•Strength - Strength is something else you'll need. Your basic strength workout will help you build more strength; just make sure you challenge your muscles with enough weight. You should use enough that your last rep is difficult, but not impossible and, if you're a woman, don't worry that you'll bulk up. Women don't produce enough testosterone to build big muscles, but you will build amazing strength. For more workout ideas, visit the BFC and talk to our Certified Personal Trainers.

•Flexibility - Try stretching after your workouts or incorporate a little yoga into your routine.
Yoga is also relaxing, which can help you reduce fatigue and get in the mood.

Experts say people who are mentally and physically fit are more likely to have a happier and fulfilled life.

"If you feel good about yourself, you are in a better position to feel good about relationships, including your personal life," says Karen Zager, PhD, a psychologist in private practice in New York City.

"When one is not feeling well, and is exhausted, it can certainly have a negative impact on the quality of one's intimate life," says Saralyn Mark, MD, a senior medical adviser at the Office on Women's Health.

The thing I noticed was that the more that I worked out, the better I felt in shape and healthy. Guys and gals go to the gym mainly to work out just for looks and they don’t realize that living a healthy lifestyle will benefit them in everything they do especially with their relationships and personal lives. Staying in shape seems like hard work for people who are not use to it. But you have to look at the big reward, which is to look and feel better. The bonus is that it will also improve your life and prevent any unhealthy obstacles later in life.

Coming to the Bronco Fitness Center or any other gym allows you to get to know people and interact with them as well. I have made a lot of friends through the different gyms that I was a member of. You can get a lot of different tips and advice from these people and even can find a guy or girl you really connect with with the possibility of going out on a date. Hopefully you will take some info from this and apply it to your workouts. Last thing is that bringing up an active topic such a working out, hiking, or biking is a great conversation starter.

And I am out, sincerely

Drew Caustrita