Summer is almost here! (Unless, of course, you're reading this in July or August, and then summer will already have arrived.) But anyway, with summer on the way and beautiful sunny weather outside, now is the perfect time to get outside and exercise. Here are some tips on getting started. Remember, it's never too late to start.
- Set Attainable Goals
- Be patient and don't expect instant results. If you've never exercised before, it's unlikely any extra fat will burn off after just a month of work. Likewise, if you've never lifted weights before, you probably won't be entirely toned after a few sessions. Set specific targets for yourself, and give yourself some time to attain them.
- To start, exercise 30 minutes a day. Taking a brisk walk is enough to satisfy this. Also, it doesn't have to be all at once-taking three 10-minute walks has the same affect on a body as taking one 30-minute walk. Once you've established a regimen and a work ethic, work your way up to 30 minutes at a higher intensity. If your eventual goal is to lose and keep off, for example, 20 pounds, you may need to eventually exercise for more than 30 minutes per day.
- Make a Plan of Action
Here are some questions you can ask yourself to help start the process:- What physical activities will you do? List anything active that you enjoy; bike riding, playing basketball, housework or yard work, aerobics videos, and taking a fitness class are all examples of activities. Knowing what you enjoy will help you narrow down an activity to start with that you know you'll enjoy.
- When will you be physically active? Make a schedule. Will you exercise in the morning before work, during lunch break, after dinner, or on weekends? What times work the best?
- Who can support you? Everyone can have trouble with motivation or keeping a routine. Is there anyone you can ask to help you along the way? Can your roommate remind you to get on that bike if you forget? Is there a friend whom you can ask to be an exercise partner?
- When will you start? Pick a date (easy if you sign up for a class), put it up on the calendar, and stick to it.
- Active Recreation Classes at NYU
- NYU Athletics, Intramurals and Recreation has summer classes for students. Classes take place at the Coles Sports Center, the Palladium Athletic Facility, and at Chelsea Piers, and cover a wide variety of activities from dance to fencing and even more.
Online registration is from Friday, May 16th to Sunday, May 18th, and in-person registration is from 12 noon to 8pm on Tuesday, May 20th and Wednesday, May 21st. If you are not taking summer classes and are not living in NYU summer housing, you will need to purchase a summer membership.
- NYU Athletics, Intramurals and Recreation has summer classes for students. Classes take place at the Coles Sports Center, the Palladium Athletic Facility, and at Chelsea Piers, and cover a wide variety of activities from dance to fencing and even more.