Getting fit for spring break can be intimidating, especially for people who have no idea where to begin or who may have never even stepped foot in a gym. These tips will ease your fears and help you get to the beach body you want.
Tip 1: This one’s easy—drink plenty of water. Your body will naturally help you burn calories by sweating. Many people know that you are supposed to drink eight glasses of water a day. If you want to go beyond that then, “A gallon a day will burn the calories away.” Drinking enough water will not only help you slim down and tone up, it can help with your skin (especially people who suffer from acne or naturally oily skin). I’ll drink to that!
Tip 2: Find some motivation! You’ve got this. Find a partner who will hold you accountable for the work you are putting in during workouts. You can also download an app that will send you reminders to get moving. Apps that are good for fitness reminders and all things related are “SWORKIT,” which includes custom daily workouts, and “MyFitnessPal,” which includes calorie counting, fitness tracking and a daily water log.
Tip 3: Feel the Burn. Do not be afraid to push yourself physically. If you start out slow with three sets of 10 for every exercise you do, then after a few days or even the following week you will become comfortable with those numbers and you should do three sets of 20. Whether you increase by five or 10 you should test your limits. A little burn never hurt anybody—no pain, no gain.
Tip 4: Setting Goals. You should always set goals and move at your own pace. Everyone’s body is different, so what works for people you see online or at the gym may not work for you. It is okay to get ideas from other people, but make your workout personal by exercising with friends or building sets of workouts that you enjoy. When setting a goal, you may consider setting short term goals and long term goals. A small term goal would be cutting out sugary drinks for the month and replacing them with water. A long-term goal from that would be drinking eight glasses of (only) water a day. When working out and completing goals, the only person you can try to be better than is the person you were yesterday. Set a goal, even if it’s a small one, and crush it.
Tip 5: Get involved! CSU offers numerous group fitness classes and recreational sports team, so if you find yourself not knowing where to begin, stop by the gym and pick up a calendar at the front desk. The classes that are available vary in intensity from beginner level to advanced. They offer a variety of times through the week just right for your schedule. Some of these classes are beginner level yoga, PiYO, Insanity, interval training, boot camp, P90X, HIIT that bike, aqua fit, and several others. These classes are free for students and are small, intimate and nonjudgmental. Pick a day and get involved.
