A Change in Scenery

Runner Park by Sven Lito is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Last week, instead of working out in the dance room of the Bell Center like we usually do, our Aerobic Dance instructor surprised us by bringing the class outside to the lacrosse field. At first, we were all very excited about it. The sun was out, there was a cool breeze, and we all welcomed the change in scenery. However, our excitement came to a sudden stop when we were told of the workout we’d be doing that day.

Our instructor informed us that we would be doing five sets of exercises that included jumping jacks, squats, burpees, push-ups, and sit-ups. Each move would be repeated for one minute, squeezing in as many reps as possible.  Each round, consisting of the five moves, would become increasingly more difficult and each round would be concluded with the same exercise: running up and down the length of the field. This workout hit us all with some intense cardio. If there was anything that I learned that day, it was that I need to run more often.  With the breeze blowing and my heart pumping from the previous round of exercises, running up and down the length of that field was no easy feat.

In the end, I got a killer work out using simple exercise maneuvers that everyone knows how to do. I left the field with my heart pumping and my body already starting to ache. Even though it was a hard workout, the fresh air and the overall change in scenery made it more enjoyable. And sometimes a little change is all you need to motivate yourself!

The Importance of a Good Pair of Shoes

Nike Shoe (IT Project) by Annette Huynh is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Before you begin your work out, it is essential that you complete one important step (Well, one of many steps): Get yourself some good shoes.  Owning the right footwear is crucial, because shoes that are too small or don’t have enough support and cushion could lead to disastrous injuries.

When looking for a good pair of shoes to work out in, it is important to seek out shoes with a thick sole. These shoes tend to have more support for your feet and will be the most shock-absorbent. When exercising, the weight of your whole body is on your feet, especially if you’re lifting weights or doing any jumping. Not having enough cushion in your shoes could result in injuries in your feet that could take you out of the gym for weeks.

You also want to make sure that your shoes are the correct size.  Your shoes are meant to protect your feet, not to hurt them. When trying on shoes, there should be half an inch between the tips of your toes and the very end of your shoe. If that half an inch isn’t there, your shoes are most likely too small. While it may feel okay for a little while, shoes that are even half a size too small will begin to hurt your feet after you work out in them for a while. It’s also important to make sure that your shoes aren’t too big. If your feet slide around in your shoes, this could not only hurt your feet in the long run, but it could also lead to more dangerous injuries. 

Happy Eating!

Fresh Fruit for Deb by Christine is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

I know that sometimes, after a workout, you just want to reward yourself for all the blood, sweat, and tears that you had just shed. But think before you reach for that cookie! Here are a few suggestions of things to eat before and after your workout to gain optimal results.

Contrary to what some of us may think, not eating before a workout is not good for you. Yes, it may help you lose weight, but it’s extremely unhealthy. If you are eating an hour or thirty minutes before your workout, it’s a good idea to reach for some fresh fruit, such as apples or watermelon. Eating a few hours before you hit the gym? Go for some bread and peanut butter, yogurt, potatoes, pasta, or cereal. The main thing is to eat something that is easy to digest. You wouldn’t want to consume an entire feast and go to your workout feeling heavy and sluggish, would you?

Just as it’s important to eat well before your workout, it’s equally imperative to eat a healthy meal afterwards. In most cases, it would be best to eat within the hour after completing your exercises. And when you do eat, I would suggest gravitating towards protein or carbohydrates (whole wheat grains). During your workout, your muscles are worn down and ripped up. With this in mind, its important to consume some sort of protein, whether it’s in a protein shake or a protein bar. Protein helps to rebuild your muscles. It’s also a good idea to eat turkey, grilled fish, or grilled chicken. And if you’re in the mood for dessert, try some fresh fruit!

Happy eating! 

Bring On the Super Stackers!

Equipment by Annette Huynh is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.


After a long weekend of indulgent dining, I was in serious need of a butt-kicking workout. However, I need to be more careful about what I ask for. I wanted some intense exercises, and that is exactly what I got. As our instructor, Mr. Rivera, explained what we would be doing, I knew that by the time I walked out of class, I’d be drenched in sweat. My prediction would soon prove to be correct.  

We did a workout routine that Mr. Rivera called “Super Stackers.” This meant that we did one move and then we would add onto that move for the next round and we would continue adding throughout the class. Our first exercise was the burpee box step. For this move, you would pop out into a push-up before hopping back up to step onto your platform.  We did sixteen reps before moving onto the next round. The next round included the burpee box step with added uneven squat curls. The squat curls require you to have one foot on the platform and one foot on the ground. You do a squat, and with dumbbells in your hands, you curl your arms up as you rise from the squat. Then hop on over to the other leg and repeat. After thirty-two reps of this move, we did sixteen more reps of the burpee box step. That concluded round two. We did a total of six rounds, with six different moves, and by the end of it, my heart was racing and I was out of breath. 

While the entire workout only lasted forty minutes, we spent the entire time doing hardcore cardio. This burns a ton of fat and I now feel less guilty about the many Krispy Kreme donuts that I consumed this weekend. The workout was effective and anyone can do it. You don’t need a fancy gym membership to work on your fitness. The only things we needed for our class today were two dumbbells, a yoga mat, and a platform step. So anyone can condition their body with an extreme workout session, even if it’s in the confines of their little dorm room. So what are you waiting for? Get moving! And don’t forget to stretch afterwards!

Let's Get Started!

Aerobic Dance Class by Annette Huynh is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.


I don’t know about all of the other freshmen, but before even stepping foot onto the Trinity University campus, I was already preparing for the worst. Don’t get me wrong, I was definitely excited, but I had also been warned. For example, I had been told about the difficulties of college classes (especially the science classes), I was worried about rooming with someone I didn’t know, and I had been told repeatedly by my mom to watch out for the freshman fifteen. But after my first few days, I found that I had been nervous for no reason at all. The professors are all friendly and willing to help, my roommate and I get along extremely well, and during registration, I enrolled in an aerobic dance class.

This aerobic dance class is what I’ll be focusing on in this blog. Once you get comfortable with your surroundings and make friends with the people around you, it’s easy to fall into the habit of going for midnight-snack runs or grabbing a quick slice of pizza for dinner before hitting the books. I know that during orientation, I made puppy chow, which is a snack smothered in chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar, with my roommate and then proceeded to consume it at four o’clock in the morning. My suite mates and I also made many late-night trips to Amy’s Ice Cream. I’m sure I’m not the only college kid to start on this unhealthy road to the freshman fifteen. However, the advice that the instructor gave during the very first aerobic dance class inspired me to eat well while living away from home and the classes themselves, though they don’t involve any dancing whatsoever, could whip anyone into shape.