By Betsy Pray
Staff Writer
If you’ve been in the Richter Center this week, you may have noticed how tightly packed with students it is. College students aim to figure out how to maintain a healthy routine but find that it’s difficult. It means starting a new semester of college, which leads to the added struggle of balancing school work, social life and other challenges. Some Bonaventure students shared their advice as to how to achieve this, particularly with exercise.
“For me, the best way to start a new semester is to get into a routine,” said junior business management major Rachael Herrmann. “In part that means making time to get a good sleep every night, eating healthy snacks and well-balanced meals and working out at the Richter while watching my favorite TV shows or teams. When you feel good, you do good.”
Sophomore psychology major Ellie Perez-Gonzalez said exercise can be a rewarding experience, even if it takes time to get used to it.
“A nice exercise routine is hard, but once you get the routine started you won’t want to look back,” Perez-Gonzalez said. “When I focus on an exercise routine with no excuses I feel better.”
Exercise is a major component of a healthy lifestyle. A recent study from the Harvard School of Public Health concluded that regular physical activity increases mood levels and decreases the effects of stress. Another study from Science Today stated that constant exercise can even lead to better memory and higher grades.
To help students with establishing an exercise routine, the Richter Center is offering a six week fitness program this semester called “Choose Your Challenge.”
“It gives you the opportunity to choose between so many miles, so many minutes or so many work outs,” Rob DeFazio, director of the center for activities, recreation and leadership and Richter Center said. “A person can choose whichever one they want, and hopefully it will help motivate them to reach their goal and continue on.”
For people who are just starting to exercise, DeFazio said it’s best to take gradual steps and not overdo it the first time.
“You can either injure yourself or burn yourself out very quickly.” DeFazio said. “People should do what they’re comfortable doing.”
With an exercise routine comes finding motivation. DeFazio suggested one way to increase the likelihood of going to the gym.
“What makes it easier is if you can find a partner; then you’re both accountable,” DeFazio said. “It’s much easier if you’re by yourself to say ‘well maybe I’ll go tomorrow.’”
DeFazio encourages students to take advantage of the opportunities the Richter Center has to offer.
In addition to the fitness program, the Richter Center also has weekly exercise classes featuring yoga, ab-lab, pilates and Zumba. A full schedule can be found on the online Notice Board and at the gym.
Students who are interested in signing up for the six week fitness program can email richtercenter@sbu.edu for more information.
“It’s very rare that I’ve ever talked to somebody that after exercising has said ‘I wish I hadn’t done this today,’” DeFazio said. “It’s ‘I feel good, I’m glad I did it, I’ll see you tomorrow.’”
