It's Hard Out Here... when you go at it alone

So there is this place on campus, maybe some of you have heard of it...it's called the Strom Thurmond Fitness and Wellness center. At "the strom" you can find endless resources to help you with one of the most important elements to achieving and maintaining optimal physical health: exercise and physical activity. Already play a sport? Awesome, there is an intramural sports program that is always looking for more members. Not really the sports type? How about group fitness? Whoa, that's intimidating. Or at least that's what most people think who have absolutely no interest in working out on equipment alone, but want to get fit think. Now I am a little biased I know, but group fitness in my opinion is one of the best things that can happen to a college student who is short on time, money, and motivation. It is convenient, effective and most importantly FUN. Seriously, there are so many different formats that anyone can find a class that they genuinely enjoy. For $20 dollars a semester you have unlimited access to all the classes you can physically stand!

Maybe working out is not number one on your list of priorities right now. That's perfectly understandable. But something I would recommend if you want to make positive choices for your physical and mental health as you are about to take on yet another semester of difficult courses..is to schedule in a group fitness class or even just a designated time to work out. If you treat the class or time block as you would your academic classes, you will find yourself accountable for being healthy and rarely able to make excuses not to work out. It's important to remember that the lifestyle you form now will set the pace for the rest of your life. Diet, exercise and an over all healthy lifestyle will reap long lasting benefits that only come from smart decisions in youth.

Here are some links to help you get started, and to know you don't have to go at it alone!

http://www.fitsugar.com/Tips-Starting-New-Fitness-Class-710296

http://www.shapefit.com/group-fitness.html

http://campusrec.sc.edu/fitness/group/schedules/