Sent by Sarah

Maybe you've just stumbled upon this blog or maybe you're trying to be a little more active, maybe both. Regardless, I'm glad you are taking the time to read this post. I recently started a diet and fitness regiment. I also just started to live in a dorm for the first time. I commuted to IPFW, or Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne last year but transferred to University of Cincinnati this year. So far I am loving it. I really have enjoyed that amount of freedom and control I have now that I am off on my own. So with this newfound freedom I decided it was finally time to take my diet and fitness into my own hands. It's always been up to me but now I am really going to take action. I am into my third week of classes and started a long list of ways to help lose weight at school (or anywhere for that matter.) So here begins a series. Read on friends.

Part Two: A Little Motivation

Part Three: Dining Hall Tips

Part Four: Let's talk Food

Part Five: Working Out

I am going to list 5 simple ways to make your life a little more fit:

 1. Skip the shuttle: WALK or BIKE

This one is challenging. Lately it has been in the 90s in Cincinnati. Its hot and hard if you are want to look cute for class. Plus you don't want to walk in your cute shoes or show up all sweaty in a sundress. But you could add a few extra miles just by skipping the shuttle. Not to mention a backpack full of books is extra weight, this will help your body burn a little more vs walking with no added weight. There's a shuttle that leaves right by my dorm and takes about 15 minutes to get to the east campus which is where I have class twice a week. The bus back to the same spot takes about 30 to 35 minutes back. There's another shuttle you can take that goes from the east campus to another location, this one takes about 10 minutes but includes a ten minute walk back to my dorm. If I walk to this class, its a 1.25 mile walk or 2.5 miles round trip. It takes roughly 20 minutes to walk there so 20 back as well. This means that I am using roughly the same amount of time but adding nice little "workout" to my day. This is a really easy way to burn extra calories, you are going to class anyways so why add in some exercise? Biking will go faster but you can go at a leisurely pace to keep from sweating too much and keep your nice clothes neat. Just be sure to invest in a bike lock!

**Please be careful walking. Safety goes before fitness, if it's dark, take the shuttle.

2. Take the stairs

Skip the elevator and take the stairs! I live on the 7th floor so this one is not fun but it burns calories and can save you time waiting for an elevator and making stops on every floor on the way down.

3. Get plenty of sleep

You'll feel more rested, get better grades, and maintain a healthier weight among other things. This article published by The Huffington Post Healthy Living shows 11 benefits of getting adequate sleep.

4. Avoid Vending Machines

Not only are they overpriced, but vending machines are full of high sugar snacks and drinks that will only set you back. Save some money and skip these. Buy healthy snacks and pack them in tiny tupperware or ziplock baggies and eat these when you are hungry on the go.

5. Take advantage of your school's rec center.

University of Cincinnati's Rec Center

Seriously! Check it out! You are paying for the rec center in your tuition after all! The UC rec center is number one in the nation, but I am sure the gyms at your school will still get the job done. At UC, our gym has bikes, treadmills, ellipticals, stairclimbers, weights, arm and leg machines, an indoor track, lap pool, lazy river, workout studios, and basketball courts, just to name a few. Bring your iPod or some headphones for the TVs and check your school's gym out! Also many school gyms offer free workout classes. Ask your gym for a schedule to find something you like. Right now I am doing a Tuesday and Thursday EIGHT A.M. boot camp. It's a killer workout and a great way to get my day going.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and try using these five little tips to make your life a little more fit at school!