How To Kill Two Birds With One Stone

At the start of a new year and a new semester, we often set resolutions to make ourselves better. Most of the time those resolutions involve getting in shape and staying fit. The problem becomes that we get lazy or we may not have been completely committed in the first place.

In America, weight loss and fitness is the number one resolution made each year and each year less and less people meet their weight loss goals. On top of having resolutions made, students are already preparing themselves for spring break.

Brontë Mckinnon asking The Fit worker, Jessica Walker, about the fitness classes available this spring.
Photo courtesy of Kimberly Manning

So, how do you “kill two birds with one stone”? With two issues like this, it is easy.

After reading the advice of many a health-nut, doctors of all sorts, and those that speak from personal experience, these are the best ways to stick with your resolutions and get fit for spring.

Goals

First, make sure that whatever it is you want, be specific about your goal(s).

Being too general with weight loss or fitness can become overwhelming. Issues can get down played which may lead you to think that it will be fine to hold onto 10 or 15 extra pounds that you gained in the cold months and from the stress of the fall semester.

Lacey Hunt (left) and Kenzie Winecoff biking in The Fit together.
Photo courtesy of Kimberly Manning

Also, make sure your goals are reasonable.

Don’t expect to lose 50 pounds in only two months. Your body needs time to adjust and rest. A change from not working out to working out every day will only stress your body. It is natural in today’s society to want and expect instant results that are not likely.  

One more thing to keep in mind when setting your goal(s) is to set a time frame.

 For those that resolved to get fit and lose weight, the proper time frame is within a year, but make small goals throughout. For instance, plan to lose four to five pounds a month which should allow your body enough time to rest and recover like it should.

Diet

There are mixed opinions on whether or not dieting is beneficial for your body. The best way to get healthy and not starve yourself is to forget about counting calories and eat things you know are good like fruits and vegetables, protein-packed nuts and eggs, and watch how many breads you eat and drink plenty of water.

Meats hold a lot of protein but take it easy on the fatty red meats and try to eat more fish and chicken.

Drink plenty of water.

Water helps flush out toxins, hydrates your system and helps with weight loss.

So how much water should you be drinking? According to the Institute of Medicine and the Mayo Clinic, men should be consuming roughly three liters, about 13 cups, a day. Women should consume roughly 2.2 liters, about nine cups, of water a day.

This is a good base but everyone varies on what their bodies need, and your body will let you know what it needs and when. Remember that if you are thirsty then your body is already dehydrated.

A major key to being healthier is to listen to what your body is trying to tell you.

Workouts

The Tennessee Tech Fitness Center is particularly roaring this season. There are hundreds of students and faculty members toning up, getting in shape and staying fit. This can make squeezing in time for a workout difficult.

Don’t let the crowd overwhelm you.  Find a time that works with your schedule when there is not such a rush at the gym. Going at the same time every day will help you build a routine and will help keep your body motivated and consistent.

A group of friends spending their Saturday afternoon in The Fit (From the left: Andrew Robinson, Greg Evans, and Brontë McKinnon)
Photo courtesy of Kimberly Manning

An hour workout is only 4 percent of your day.

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