Fitness & Movement
Our bodies are designed to move and our well-being is enhanced by regular physical activity. But physical activity often gets short-changed when students begin college. The basic benefits of fitness and movement are:
- Restore balance disrupted by stressful events
- Fitness of heart and lungs – effective breathing
- Integrity of bones, muscles and joints
- Endurance, flexibility and posture
- Weight management and appetite regulation
- Reduce risk and/or manage diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, certain cancers
- Sleep efficiency
- Mood, anxiety and depression management
- Improve self-esteem and feelings of well-being
Fitness, movement and nutrition work together: physical activity increases your metabolic rate (the rate you burn energy/calories) and regulates appetite. Therefore, coupled with a nutrient-dense food plan, you have a powerful base for focused and productive work in college.
What are some of the ways that you can fit physical activity into your life? Here are some examples:
- Parking at a distance to increase the length of your walk to and from your classes or residence hall
- Taking stairs instead of the elevators
- Riding your bicycle
- Participating in intramurals at the Student Recreation Center (SRC)
- Finding a work out buddy
- Enrolling in HSS fitness courses that range from strength training to TaeKwonDo
- Taking group fitness classes offered by Health Promotion or at the Student Recreation Center (SRC)
- Making an appointment with a U-Fit Coach
