Kelsey Mix – Lifestylist –
The secret to staying healthy is a mystery to many, but along with eating healthy and cutting out junk food, exercise is just as important!
Though this wasn’t apparent to me when I tried to start losing weight. I worked out in my room here and there and tried eating better, but I didn’t see results until I joined the gym at Southern.
Even if I just hop on the elliptical for fifteen minutes and do some abdominal exercises, I feel so much better than I would if I didn’t work out at all.
At first, I only went a few days a week but I knew I could do better. I eventually started going to the gym every single day and worked it perfectly into my daily routine. I would go after class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, before dinner on Wednesdays, and so on, until it became a major component of my day.
Now I’m no personal trainer, but I’m always up for helping people, so here are a few things I do at the gym that you could try out!
After I put my things in a locker, I go straight to the stretching room and stretch my arms and legs before I start any workout. Some save this step until the very end of their workout, but I find that I’m less sore after working out if I stretch before and after.
I’m not sure why, but I also find myself doing some type of cardio before I do anything else, so get on the elliptical for fifteen or twenty minutes; I normally do thirty, but do whatever you’re comfortable with.
Sometimes I’ll use the treadmill, but since I’m not a runner I tend to avoid it. What I find interesting is that you tend to see more girls on the cardio machines than guys, but in general, some think that just doing cardio will suffice; to which I say, you are wrong. It’s even more important to exercise different parts of your body, and that includes abdominal workouts, lifting weights, etc.
So after I do some cardio, I either use the leg and arm machines or a ton of abdominals in the aerobics room. If you find that you can’t get in the swing of these workouts, there are always group classes and group training sessions offered at Southern’s Fitness Center. I’ve tried Zumba and Yoga for Beginners and they’re both fantastic!
If you love cardio, definitely go for one of the dancing classes because you’ll work up a sweat fast, but if you want to focus on a certain exercise, you can always go for Kickboxing or the group personal training sessions.
If you’re still on the fence about going to the gym, take a gander at Pinterest! There are tons of workouts for whatever you’re looking for, you’re guaranteed to find something to your liking. You could always invest in some weights if you live in a dorm room or a treadmill or elliptical if you live at home.
Whatever the case may be, I encourage you to get moving. You might feel tired and sore for the first week or so, but as long as you keep with it, you’ll be a regular at the Fitness Center in no time.
Don’t forget to stretch and have a well-balanced meal afterwards. Have a great workout!
