At Home Workout

One social media site that has captured the attention of individuals who seek a healthy driven lifestyle is Pinterest.

Pinterest, a social media site where people “pin” hobbies, interest and ideas, has made it easier for many to share and inspire others to maintain a healthier well-being. On Pinterest you can find pre-made workouts that fit your needs. Whether it is your arms, abs, gluts, legs or tips on how to tackle those pesky trouble areas, Pinterest has you covered.  For me, Pinterest is procrastination at its finest, but it is also my go-to when I am looking for inspiration for that perfect outfit, recipe, travel destination and/or workouts.

As the weather continues to get cooler, my thin Floridian blood finds it easy to want to stay inside, bundled up, sipping on hot chocolate. With one scroll through my Pinterest feed, I become quickly motivated by all the healthy living Pinterest posts. The pre-made Pinterest workouts can serve as a guide to help you achieve that body you have always wanted. Here are some examples of my favorite butt-busting at home workouts.

 The Quick At Home Workout

3 sets/ 60 seconds each

Walking Lunges

Squats

Burpees

Push-ups

Chair Tricep Dips

Mountain Climbers

Regular Crunches

Bicycle Crunches

Extreme Bodyweight Workout 

40 jumping jacks

5 star jumps

10 burpees

20 squats

15 reverse lunges (each leg)

20 jump squats

10 burpees

:45 plank

10 donkey kicks (each leg)

10 push-ups

30 Russian twists

10 burpees

15 V-ups

:30 jog in place

Q and A with Sarah Grace Spann

Sarah Spann, a 21-year-old University of Florida health and nutrition major, knows how to incorporate fitness into a hectic college schedule. When it comes to fitness, this ex-UF track athlete knows exactly what she is talking about.

Q: What is your replacement when you don’t feel like going to the gym?

A: Just getting outside and going on a slow, enjoyable run or walk is one of my favorite things. Also, just doing things I enjoy that are active like biking or throwing around a football are great ideas too.

Q: What do you do to change up your workout routine to stay fit while having such a hectic schedule?

A: One of the most important things to me is to make time for myself. And one thing I do during that time is get active. Whether just going for a run or going to the gym, I try to make time for it about every other day. When only taking about 30 minutes, I tell myself there is no excuse.

Q: What do you do to make sure you exercise even on a time-crunch?

A: I either do a short 2 mile run, or just do some ab exercises inside on my floor for a few minutes!

Q: Do you have any favorite workout items that make your workouts more enjoyable, yet beneficial?

A: In the gym, my favorite workouts involve free weights and the kettle ball. I think it is so much more beneficial than just doing plain weight machines, and keeps you on your feet. I don’t really have any tech gear, I typically just go in with the exercises in mind that I want to do, and listen to music as I do them. I guess that’s where being trained in the past comes in handy, I know a lot of exercises!

Q: What is your least favorite thing about going to the gym and why?

A: Honestly, the only reason I go to the gym is to obtain strength that I can’t do with just body weight exercises at home. I love doing my own thing and being outside so much better. You’ll never find me running on a treadmill, but only outside in the fresh air.

Q: What advice would you give to a college student when it comes to incorporating fitness into his or her schedule?

A: I would say to just try to do something active each day. It doesn’t necessarily have to be going to the gym, but even just a walk with a friend or biking around can get you out and living more active. And also, don’t get down if you miss a few days or feel like you’ve failed. Just start new the next day and decide to make a better habit of being active. Even if it is just a couple times a week.

Be Adventurous

To some, fitness is walking on a treadmill or getting in a few crunches before heading off to work. But for others fitness can be more adventurous. Some examples of this are the Rock Quarries of Gainesville, Paynes Prairie and Lake Wauburg. Each of these destinations provides a unique and fun twist to the term “working out.”

The Rock Quarries

Some say the rock quarries are one of Gainesville’s best-kept secrets. The secret is out! The Quarries is not a registered park, but it is a place one can go to enjoy a day filled with rock climbing and cliff jumping.

 

The blue waters of the Rock Quarries summon those of the Gainesville area to enjoy a day filled with fun, exercise and adventure. The Quarries is a place where people can come and experience nature at its finest. Photo by Sarah Williford

Paynes Prairie

Since 1971, Gainesville has been home to Florida’s first state preserve, which is now designated as a National Natural Landmark. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is home to many livestock including alligators, bison, horses and over 270 species of birds. The prairie’s eight trails provide great opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling, not to mention the 16-mile long, paved Gainesville-Hawthrone State Trail. If you are looking to change up the scenery of your runs, Paynes Prairie offers a beautiful, peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of campus life. For more information on all the Paynes Prairie has to offer visit www.floridastateparks.org/paynesprairie.

 Lake Wauburg

Eight miles south of campus on Highway 441 you will be able to find Lake Wauburg North Park and South Shore. UF students, faculty and staff are invited to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. It seems nearly impossible for one to get bored while at Lake Wauburg. From boating, sailing, swimming, volleyball, disc golf, water skiing, wake boarding or partaking in a team development course, there are countless activities to keep you active and entertained all day long.

Annual Fun

“The Color Me Rad run took what I already love to do and made me enjoy it in a whole new way,” said Danielle Cayon (right). The 20-year-old early elementary education major celebrates the completion of the 5K with a celebratory “colored cornstarch” throw. Photo by Sarah Williford

Each year, the University of Florida hosts annual running events that help to support a charitable cause or are held just for fun. Some of the runs include the Midnight Fun Run, the SunTrust Gator Gallop and the Undie Run.

The Midnight Fun Run is a 5K run or a 1.5-mile walk that takes place at 11:59 p.m. This run is the perfect opportunity to accomplish your first 5K or improve your time for a future, more intense race. This year’s fun run already took place on April 24, but be sure to keep an eye out for the fast approaching 2014 run — you definitely don’t want to miss out! The second run, the SunTrust Gator Gallop, is a time-honored tradition put on by the university closely before UF’s annual homecoming event called Gator Growl. Beginning at the Percy Beard Track, the fun run escorts the homecoming parade through University Avenue and to the intersection of SW2nd  and 3rd Street. Each year over 1,500 alumni, faculty, students and other residents of the Gainesville community come out to support the race to “let the Gator Gallup.” Last but not least is a run that has become very popular among college campuses nationwide. This race, better known as the Undie Run, is a charitable, semi-annual run that has been a school tradition since UF alumnus Beau Bergeron created the first underwear dash back in 2005. Participants throw off their clothes and make a large pile before they take off running. The stacked clothing is then donated to the Student Alumni Association Operation Cover-up Gainesville campaign.

Also, check out runs that come to Gainesville locations. This past week a group of friends and I participated in the Color Me Rad run on Oct. 26 at Rembert Farm. The Color Me Rad run is a 5K in which non-toxic, non-rash-inducing, Kroger branded, colored cornstarch is fired at participants, turning their crisp white shirts into a colorful mess. For more information on the run, or to find a location near you visit the runs official website at www.colormerad.com. Stay in the know and look for upcoming runs to encourage your healthy lifestyle and switch up your workout plans.

This coming up weekend, on Nov. 16, is the 4-H 5K Little Run on the Prairie at the Payne’s Prairie Preserve State Park. Alachua County’s 4-H first annual 5k run is a great way to experience the outdoor beauty of Paynes Prairie while supporting youth in Alachua County. Proceeds from the run will impact youth through 4-H Clubs, school enrichment programs and summer camps. Registration for the event closes on Nov. 15 or can register between 7:30-8:15 a.m. at the event before the run begins at 8:30 a.m. Individual entry is $25.

Run It, Run It

There is no better way to get to know your campus than to take a good ol’ campus run. Running is a full-body workout that can easily be incorporated into your schedule, and the great thing about it is that you can never get bored: just switching up the routes can feel like a completely different workout than the run before.

The University of Florida, and other college campuses like it, offers many places and trails for running. For example, my sorority sisters and I do the “frat lap:” a two-mile lap known within the Greek community, which takes you from sorority row, up and around fraternity row and back to where you started. If you want to change things up, you can take a pre-made scenic route suggested through running websites such as www.joggingroutes.org.  These can take you through and around the heart of the city of Gainesville or you can always create your own running route.

As a full-time college student with a crazy semester, taking thirty-minute runs are what have kept me sane. No matter what time of the day, I make sure to fit run in — it does wonders for lowering my stress level by offering me a chance to clear my head.  We students find ourselves rushing from one responsibility to another and sometimes we just cannot make time to go to a gym.  Running campus is a self-pace, and time flexible alternative.  As long as you practice safe habits, such as running with a group or a partner, campus can be very beneficial to one’s health, stress, and don’t forget about sight seeing. Switch it up, set goals for yourself and pencil in your results, because a simple run can make a difference in not only your day, but your life too. Give it a try, I dare you.

Where only Gators get out alive

Down, set, hike! It is three days until kickoff and what better way to prepare for the big game than a workout in the stadium? Stadiums provide a variety of workouts in a fun, motivating atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re apart of the team. The stadium is a great place to build muscle and get in some great cardio that your body probably isn’t used to, which makes it all that much better. You can take in your favorite workout equipment to help aid you during your workout; don’t be afraid to switch it up. Listed below is a suggested workout to help get you started:

Warmup:

Start with a light walk or jog up one spiral, across and down the other (3x)

 

Workout:

Pick one side of the stadium that you want to work on – start at the bottom and work your way up to the top

• Sprint up to the top then work your way back down
• Walk up the stair, squat, take another step up; squat all the way up to the top
• Bunny hops up to the top
• 15 push-ups
• Walking lunges across the top
• Run down the stairs
• 15 dips
• Jump up the steps with one foot, alternating to the other foot halfway up
• 50 crunches, while at the top, followed by 50 side crunches, switching sides at the halfway point
• Plank (hold for one min.)

Post workout:

Stretch; end your workout with a light jog or brisk walk for at least two minutes

 

The great thing about stadium workouts is that it can be personalized to fit your individual fitness goals and aspirations, as well as your schedule. From strength training to cardio the stadium will push you to your limit without having you feeling confined to the stuffiness of the gym. So step out into the fresh Florida air, and into the stadium where motivation surrounds you. Begin to feel challenged. After all, only Gators get out alive.

Run it, Run it

There is no better way to get to know your campus than to take a good ol’ campus run. Running is a full-body workout that can easily be incorporated into your schedule, and the great thing about it is that you can never get bored: just switching up the routes can feel like a completely different workout than the run before.

The University of Florida, and other college campuses like it, offers many places and trails for running. For example, my sorority sisters and I do the “frat lap:” a two-mile lap known within the Greek community, which takes you from sorority row, up and around fraternity row and back to where you started. If you want to change things up, you can take a pre-made scenic route suggested through running websites such as www.joggingroutes.org. These can take you through and around the heart of the city of Gainesville or you can always create your own running route.

As a full-time college student with a crazy semester, taking thirty-minute runs are what have kept me sane. No matter what time of the day, I make sure to fit run in — it does wonders for lowering my stress level by offering me a chance to clear my head.  We students find ourselves rushing from one responsibility to another and sometimes we just cannot make time to go to a gym.  Running campus is a self-pace, and time flexible alternative.  As long as you practice safe habits, such as running with a group or a partner, campus can be very beneficial to one’s health, stress, and don’t forget about sight seeing. Switch it up, set goals for yourself and pencil in your results, because a simple run can make a difference in not only your day, but your life too. Give it a try, I dare you.

Sweat – your best accessory this fall

If you are anything like me, you have been anticipating the fall since the end of summer. The fall brings all sorts of new and exciting events from social and organizational involvements, cooler weather, fun holidays, to, most importantly, college football games. The thrill of college in the fall is like nothing you have ever known at all. However, there is just one problem: when do you have time to go to the gym? I do not know about you, but getting to the gym is a struggle. Many obstacles stand in the way such as driving to the gym, assuming you do not live within walking distance, and circling the lot to find a parking spot, which is a workout in itself. With all of these complications of trying to break a sweat, it is hard to find the motivation to stay in shape. But luckily I, with the help of the University of Florida, can help ease the stress that often surrounds the process of getting to the gym by offering alternatives that not only get you into fabulous shape but works well with our hectic college lives, making working out the highlight of your day!