Opinion
Community offers ways to stay fit, avoid the freshman fifteen
October 14, 2010
If stressing out about new college experiences and reaching academic goals aren’t enough, another thing to think about is the excessive weight gain known as the “freshman fifteen.” Many students’ transitions between the comfort and convenience of home to the stressful and demanding life of college could take a large toll on the body. Between lack of exercise, unhealthy cafeteria food, and the late night fast food runs, freshmen seem to put on the most amount of weight in the shortest amount of time. If you are not a freshman, that doesn’t necessarily mean the freshman fifteen doesn’t apply to you.
Exercise and healthy habits are for any age to avoid unwanted weight gain and stress. As easy as the weight is to put on, it’s just as simple to take off and keep off. UW-River Falls offers a variety of activities to meet new people on campus as well as have fun exercising off the unwanted pounds.
Here are a few options that I have personally enjoyed along with many other students on campus. On Mondays in the University Center ballroom, the college puts on a 45-minute yoga session that is known to reduce stress and tones key muscles. Tai Chi which reduces anxiety and improve sleep quality, is available on Tuesdays in the Falcon’s Nest. Moving into the middle of the week, UWRF offers a fun zumba class that releases toxins from the body and aids in toning abdominal muscles. Zumba is offered on Wednesdays in the Falcon’s Nest. To finish out the week, make your way over to the sporting facilities for open skate on Thursday.
Although it is good to attend programs on campus, not all of the programs fit perfectly into busy schedules. The River Falls area has many close options to exercise with many fitness clubs to join such as Anytime Fitness, the YMCA, and Snap Fitness that make membership affordable to students. Even if none of these options seem like the perfect fit, a simple walk around campus can be just as enjoyable and relaxing as the programs mentioned above.