Healthy Exercise Habits

The transition from high school to college is significant for students. For the first time, students are solely responsible for time management, classwork, and leading a healthy lifestyle. An increase in stress, change in diet, and lack of exercise may contribute to weight gain during undergraduate years. Most of this gain occurs during the first semester, but without an intentional plan, added pounds can mount.

    According to a study by Racette et al. (2007), 70% of sampled students demonstrated a significant weight gain, of around nine pounds during the first two years of college. Additionally, studies even show a decrease in physical activity in college students as they get older. For example, older students tend to park closer to buildings instead of walk from parking lots that are further away.

    Some helpful tips for managing weight with physical activity include:

    • Live actively. Walk or bike to class. Take the stairs, even when elevators are available. If you commute, park in a lot or space further away than you typical do. Make exercise a regular part of your daily routine. During TV commercials, do some push-ups, sit-ups, toe touches, or yoga poses.

    • Get a workout buddy. Having someone to work out with can increase accountability and remind you of your goals. Use an app on your phone that tracks your activity; some even allow you to share with friends as added motivation.

    • Create specific time for exercise. Reserving a time block in your schedule to exercise and stick to it! Exercise can become a positive addiction; you won’t feel right if you haven’t exercised that day.

    • Use what your school has to offer. Utilize the fitness center, intramurals program, Athens-Concord Walking Trail, and class offerings for academic credit. Take advantage of Concord’s free Zumba, Yoga, and other Student Activities offerings. CU’s Spring Walking Challenge 2016 is underway. Even if you don’t win first place, you’ll have fun and be healthier.

    To enhance the quality of life for the university community, Concord’s Department of Recreational Sports and Wellness educates and encourages participation in activities that promote healthy lifestyles, social interaction, and leadership skills. The department strives to create an atmosphere that encourages individuals to develop life-long involvement in recreational activities and is dedicated to meeting the changing needs of a diverse community by offering quality structured and informal recreational opportunities. The Department of Recreational Sports and Wellness’s webpage can be found at http://hub.concord.edu/student-life/node/20.

    The Concord University Fitness Center is located in North Towers and has a variety of exercise equipment to meet the needs of our campus community. Free weights, Matrix machines, treadmills, and exercise bikes are available for every kind of work out from low to high impact. The Fitness Center staff is always available to help anyone with their workout routine and give instruction on the proper use of the equipment and the facility.

    The Fitness Center is open to the entire Campus Community as well as to the public.  The normal hours of operation are Sunday 12 – 11 pm, Monday – Friday 6 am – 11 pm, and Saturday 12 – 6 pm. Join the Facebook Group “Concord University Recreation & Wellness” for updated information concerning hours, events, and delays/closings.

    The Intramural Sports Program provides a wide range of individual and team activities at both a competitive and recreational level to students, faculty, staff, and other members of the university community. Sports include basketball, dodge ball, flag football, soccer, softball, and volleyball. Follow @cu_intramurals (Instagram), @curecreation (Twitter), and “Concord University Intramurals” (Facebook) for more information.

    Chris Smallwood, Recreation and Wellness Coordinator, states there is a proven relationship between participation in intramurals and using campus exercise facilities with higher GPAs, lower dropout rates, and lower rates of engaging in other unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, drug use, binge drinking, and having unprotected sex. Also, students who use the exercise facilities and participate in intramurals tend to adopt better diets, have better sleep patterns, and manage time better. This encourages better overall health and contributes to academic success.

    Additionally, many physical activity resources exist in the local community. Mercer County is home to three WV State Parks and several city and county parks. These include Brush Creek Preserve, Camp Creek State Park, City of Bluefield Parks & Recreation, City of Princeton Parks & Recreation, Glenwood Recreational Park, East River Mountain Overlook, Pinnacle Rock State Park, and Pipestem Resort State Park. Paid membership facilities within a short drive or bus ride include the Princeton Health & Fitness Center, CrossFit (2 Affiliated Boxes in Princeton), Brickhouse Cardio Club, Anytime Fitness, and The Training Edge. Winterplace Ski Resort, Hatfield-McCoy Trails, white water rafting, rock climbing, and a strong Geocaching community provide additional opportunities in Southern West Virginia.

    In short, there are many ways to live healthier and happier through exercise. The key is to commit to doing so and finding the activities that best fit your lifestyle and preferences. Those nine pounds gained by junior year can quickly become twenty pounds or more once adult metabolisms kick in and a more sedentary routine replaces active college lifestyles. So be smart and make exercise a healthy habit—starting now!