Getting on a scale can be an absolute nightmare for many students after their first year in college.
“Besides something like organic chemistry or astrophysics, I think the thing that incoming students fear the most about college is poor health choices,” said Stephanie Faulkner, a first-year political science student.
Faulkner, who used to play volleyball for her high school team, is now entering college with some worries about maintaining a high level of fitness.
“When I was at school during the summer session, I tried as hard as I could to work out every day because of all the food they had at De Neve dining hall,” Faulkner said. “So many of the dishes they serve look pretty tasty, but at the same time, I don’t want to fall into the freshman 15 trap.”
Many incoming students often face the issue of weight gain during their first year at college.
Tina Tubbs, a UCLA athletic trainer for both the women’s volleyball team and the track and field teams, said a great way for students to get acclimated to working out in a new school environment is to create a schedule that includes a good mix of cardiovascular and strength training.
Tubbs said a good balance between running and weight lifting is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
“Students should really try to get into a good habit with working out when they enter college,” Tubbs said. “Start early and be creative with your workouts to keep yourself motivated.”
Yan Zhang, a third-year business economics student, remembered his transition from high school to college being somewhat difficult as he went from cross-country practices to a self-devised workout plan.
“In high school, I would finish class around 3 p.m. and then would immediately go to cross-country practice until around 5 p.m.,” Zhang said. “When I came to college, however, I lost that structure. If I wanted to stay in shape, it was going to be all on me.”
Instead of being motivated by a coach, Zhang said he is now encouraged by his close friends to work out at the Wooden Center or go for a long-distance run.
“When I work out with one of my buddies, especially one who may be a little buffer than me, it pushes me to reach my maximum potential,” Zhang said. “I really benefit from and enjoy the release I get after spending a few hours working out each day. It puts a lot of my school stresses behind me.”
Samantha Lester, a third-year English student, said she sees exercising as an activity that is essential to her well-being, in addition to being a great stress reliever. To stay as motivated as possible, she regularly mixes up her workout routines.
“In college, it is all about the balance,” Lester said. “If I feel I am working out on the treadmill or elliptical in the Wooden Center too much, I’ll run a perimeter outside or think up a workout all on my own.”
Similarly, Tubbs said students should be encouraged to change up their workouts if they are getting bored with the usual routine.
“Our athletes are constantly going through different conditioning as they progress through the season,” she added.
In addition to creating workouts, Fitwell, a service offered at the Wooden Center, is a resource for students who are looking for conditioning and fitness help.
Adam Marcus, Fitwell consultant and a third-year electrical engineering student, said students are able to rent out equipment, sign up for various exercising classes or even apply to have a personal trainer.
“We try and be as accessible as possible by offering class times all throughout the school day,” Marcus said. “It can be a really helpful resource to any student who is a little unsure about where exactly to start.”
Zhang said students should try as hard as they can to make exercising a hobby rather than a necessity.
“I think sometimes students define exercising as running 10 miles every day, bench-pressing 300 pounds or doing some kind of physically enduring task,” Zhang said. “As long as students know their limits and do things that they enjoy doing, they will be getting healthier in the long run.”