Exercise or Study! The Great Debate!

   When I was deciding on this week's post, I wanted to focus on barriers for exercise among students. As a college student, it can be really difficult juggling work, school, extra curricular activities, and time for exercising. As students we are told to set ourselves apart from others and work hard in everything we do. That does not normally include self care activities like physical fitness. Personally, I tried to keep up with my physical activity by using school agenda and an notification app on my phone. Even with those tools, I still messed up my workout schedule. When this happens, its okay. Working out does not have to be inconsistent if you incorporate it into your schedule as a class. 

    I know that sounds weird, but if you are wanting to be active then you have to separate time for each day you plan to exercise. For example, a 3 credit hour class meets either Monday, Wednesday, and Friday or Tuesday and Thursday. If you want to workout 3 days a week, then block off 50 mins on 3 days that allow you to get 3 credit hours of exercise. If you can only do two days, then block off 75 mins 2 times that week. This allows for students to feel less overwhelmed about missing an workout, since its incorporated into their weekly schedule. I experience the issue of making various times but cancel due to it not working with my schedule. Whereas, last year I treated exercise as a class and was able consistently get in more physical activity than this year. You can even take classes at your local university, and count that towards your credit hour of exercise. Some classes are free to take and normally last 45-60 mins. However, I know some people can't get into that schedule due to them being more spontaneous with exercise. If that is you, then you can still get in weekly exercise.

   Physical activity can be what you want or need it to be. If you walk everyday to work or around the neighborhood, then you’re getting your physical activity for the day. Exercising does not have to be complicated or incorporated into a large chunk of your day. For example, if you have a dog then when you walk your dog for 20 mins 3 times a day, you gained a 60 mins of physical activity without taking a large portion of your day! If you’re behind a desk then try doing leg lifts or toe taps. Instead of taking the elevator, take the stairs up and down throughout the day. Once you get home, you can get engage in more challenging exercises than you can at work or while walking the dog. 

   Overall, exercise can be fluid if you're on the go like college students. If you need more structure then you can make time by treating it like a class or job! There are so many ways to get physical activity in and not feel overwhelmed about missing it. People call out of work or miss class sometimes! It happens with exercise too! Remember its okay to miss it every now and then. However, don't give up on exercise! Just adapt based on your schedule.