Sometimes, we may be really enthusiastic when we’re working out (i.e. hot guy at 9:00 and I know he’s watching me work this treadmill). This extra push on the body may cause strain to your muscles and no one wants leg cramps or excessive soreness the following morning!

Stretching is good for us pre-work out because it warms up our otherwise stiff muscles, which get especially stiff in this cold, cold weather. Post-work out, it reinforces your flexibility and rewards those hard worked muscles. Plus, it just feels good. (Tip: Be sure not to bounce when you stretch because it can cause tears in within your muscle fibers – instead, hold each stretch for 20-30 seconds and even it out on both sides.)

Here are a few of my favorites! Cool down with these easy moves in between classes or right after some crazy leg squats. Read More »

I basically live my life by the phrase “go big or go home.” I’m an extremist in every way. I either love something or hate it, am obsessed or utterly disinterested. So after last week’s Rollerblading success during spring break, I returned to campus with the goal of exercising EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Now, for someone who hasn’t exercised consistently in four years, that’s quite the lofty goal. I would venture that it’s relatively impossible. But my intentions were good–I wanted to come out of this One Month Challenge with exercise as part of my daily routine, a regular part of my life, rather than a series of one-time attempts at athleticism.

Needless to say, I didn’t exercise every day this week. I exercised one day. So I’m going to throw my “go big or go home” philosophy out the window right now, because I’ve found that in exercise, sometimes it’s the little things that make a difference. Maybe this is just an elaborate attempt to prove to myself that I didn’t fail this week, but let’s just go with it for now.

Following the tips of fellow College Candy writer Jill, I set out this week to make a series of small changes to my lifestyle. I stretched every morning when I woke up and every night before I went to bed. I ate breakfast every morning, bypassing the Reese’s Puffs for fat-free yogurt, a bagel and veggie cream cheese, half a grapefruit, a banana, oatmeal. I took the stairs instead of the elevator at work. And I set a more reasonable goal: to attend a fitness class in our campus rec center. Read More »

Ew.

Be honest.

One of the biggest motivations for us college girls to get to the gym every day is the thought of all the hot guys that will be there. Yeah, we go there to burn off last night’s margaritas and nachos, but doing all that burning is so much better while ogling delicious, muscle-y coeds lifting weights, the sweat dripping off of their glistening brows.

But then there are the other guys. Those dudes that show up in attire that makes us want to throw up last night’s indulgences rather than jump their bones right up against the leg press.  Everyone knows that the bar gym is a great place to pick up guys, but these five fashion choices are definite dealbreakers.

Guys, no matter how hot you are, you don’t look good in these.

1. Spandex

I don’t care what kind of exercise you’re doing, spandex is NEVER necessary. This goes for outside the gym, too.  There’s nothing like seeing a guy jogging around campus and having a clear outline of his junk to wake you up for a 9 am lecture.  Spare me.  If you’re lucky, we’ll wanna see your man parts after a few drinks at more appropriate times (that is, unless we remember that we saw you at the gym wearing spandex).

2. Sleeveless Muscle Tees

Unless you’re Pauly D or The Situation, don’t wear muscle tees. They make you look like Pauly D and The Situation. We get it, you have huge biceps, and trust us, we love to watch you flex them. But not in an old t-shirt you tore up with arm holes that hang down to your waist. If we can see your entire upper body already, what’s the point of wearing a shirt anyway? And while we’re on the subject, let’s just make these illegal, K? Read More »

[Exercise, health and fitness are an important part of every woman’s life. But how do you know if you’re doing it right? And what new findings, tips and advice will help you reach your health fitness goals? Kelly, our fitness guru, will keep you updated every Monday with the latest and most beneficial news and advice for your health and body. Even if it involves some...er...alternative workouts.]

Now, I know what you may be thinking: I’m the same lady who, a few months ago, wrote a blog about how I felt about the ladies of the pole. You know – strippers. Now, while I voiced my opinion on how I felt about my boyfriend visiting them, I did not (and made it a point not to) bash strippers for what they were doing (their job).

So, when my girlfriend called me up a few weeks ago and asked me if I’d like to try a new workout class, which happened to be Introductory Pole Dancing, I was game. Hey, if nothing else I could get a feel for what it’s all about and maybe learn a thing or two… Plus, I had heard it was great exercise.

So, for $15 bucks, I signed up for my 90 minute (very long class!) workout around the pole. Read More »

Well, I knew when I started this diet that I would hit a slump. I just didn’t expect it to be so early.

The scale in my room is excessively kind and flattering, and tends to give me a weight that is about ten pounds off. Now, I knew this, but I was never very good at reading the little notches. I assume my consistent 227 was right; however, at a recent visit to Health Services, I decided to check my weight on their scale. The result was not encouraging.

230 is more than I ever wanted to weigh. 230 is something like a hundred pounds heavier than the “recommended” weight for women my age and height, and though I don’t really have any interest in being the recommended weight, I don’t want to be gaining weight. To say I was upset was an understatement. Of course, being upset, I decided to do what any hormonal, depressed college female would do: eat chocolate. Read More »