"Doing 'wall sits' while watching television can be a
 great way to get some extra strength training
 into your every day routine." Said Samantha Bottoms,
 Accounting Sophomore.

Exercise on the go

       Alexa Mihalick finds a way to get in her daily exercise at home while still being able to watch her favorite television shows and keep up with her hectic lifestyle.

       “While I’m watching my favorite shows like 'Pretty Little Liars' or 'Gossip Girl', I figure that if I’m going to spend so much time sitting on the couch doing nothing, I could at least be active during the commercials.” Said Alexa Mihalick, Journalism Sophomore. “I like to do sit-ups and crunches during the commercials. They seriously make me feel so much better about myself!”
       What people don’t know is that they can get their workout in every day by making small changes in their day-to-day routine.
        “Something as small as taking the stairs instead of the elevator can make a big difference in how you feel.” Said Heather Kirkes, Fitness and Outreach coordinator at the Huston Huffman Fitness Center. “Household items can double as exercise equipment. Use water bottles or cans of soup as hand weights when you’re walking around the house or office.”

       The gym is not the only place where people can get in their exercise.

       “Many people think that since they can’t afford a gym membership, they can’t work out, but it’s quite the contrary” Kirkes said. “Making an effort to be more active during the day is the best option. Not only will you look better, but you will feel better about yourself.” 
       Students on campus have free access to the Huston Huffman Fitness Center, but students living off campus don't necessarily have a gym they can go to.
        "I used to be a dancer so exercise is pretty important to me" Mihalick said. "Now that I don't live on campus, I don't have direct access to the Huff. Im glad I have finally figured out ways to stay healthy while not having to drive to campus or pay for a gym membership."

Eating healthy meals at school or work can be easier than you thought and better for your overall health and wellness.

Wiser midday eating

Most people have experienced that period of time at school or work where hunger pangs strike and there is no other option but to run to the nearest fast food establishment and get food. Not only can this quickly empty your wallet, it is also unhealthy and can lead to eventual weight gain.

“Packing a lunch and snacks when you know you will not be home is a good idea” Heather Kirkes, M.A., RD/LD said. “It can be done in a pinch the night before or in the morning. This makes sure you know you won’t be reaching for the unhealthier foods throughout the day”.

Though this is a good idea, many people scoff at the thought of eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich from a brown bag. What they don’t realize is that packing food for the day allows them to eat a wider array of foods and informs them on exactly what is going into their bodies. Who knows what exactly is in that greasy takeout.

Samantha Bottoms, sophomore Accounting student, is one of those who were bored with the everyday sandwich. “Instead of packing a peanut butter and jelly, I’ve started packing leftovers from my dinner the night before like salad or pasta. It makes me much more excited to eat healthier food when it’s not the same thing every day”.

Other foods that are easy to pack and are also healthy are fruits like apples and bananas, cut up vegetables, pre-portioned nuts, or a healthy granola bar.

Packing lunches is not only beneficial to the hips, but also to the wallet. Buying meals from fast food and takeout restaurants can add up quickly. Buying whole foods from the grocery store and making meals at home will ultimately help to cut the cost on lunchtime meals.

“Bringing my lunch to campus during the day really saves me” Bottoms said. “It is so hard to work or learn when I am eating bad foods or even no food at all. A packed lunch encourages me to always make my day a productive one.”

Room for Indulgence

The holiday season is coming to an end and so are the copious amounts of holiday foods. But there is still one holiday on the radar that can be problematic for many people who are trying to be healthy, Valentine’s Day.

It can be difficult to resist walking down the Valentine’s aisle at the grocery store without buying something or turning down the box of chocolates your sweetheart gave you, but Valentine’s Day does not have to mean disaster for your health. 

“If you know you can’t resist eating something unhealthy one day, go easier on the food earlier that day.” Said Jennifer Ray, Registered Dietitian “If it is a special occasion like Valentine’s Day and you want to have the chocolates, eat clean beforehand. Give yourself a little room in your diet for the food that you know you can’t resist.” 

According to Ray, the key to a healthy lifestyle is variety. It isn’t necessary to be absolutely perfect with food to feel your best. Putting too much pressure on having a perfect diet will end up backfiring, causing the dieter to indulge too much. 

“For Valentine’s Day, I like making healthier sweets like chocolate covered fruit. It allows me to still indulge a little bit but it is still semi-healthy because it’s fruit.” Said Jessica Truitt, Psychology Sophomore. 

People don’t have to give up one of the best things about the holiday of hearts (chocolate), Said Ray, because in a healthy diet, there is always room for indulgence.