Go for Gold!

So we’re about a week into the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, and the USA team is working to bring home the gold.

Typically, we assume a gold medal for Olympic athletes is the highest achievable mark.
But what about us regular folk?

Are we running?!

We can strive for goals too!
Our goals may not be able to win gold for the USA at the next Olympics, but we can always strive to live a healthy lifestyle much like our Olympic team! Maybe you can even make “gold medals” in your life, like ultimate goals of choosing a healthy lifestyle. In your pursuit for a “gold medal” in your life, here are some handy tips you can do:

Set Small Goals For Yourself
It’s easy to get caught up in the ultimate goal, but having short and small goals are great too! Small and short goals are easier to achieve. They also make you feel better about yourself as you progress to the ultimate goal.

It may seem silly, but you can keep a journal of your goals, small and large. Refer to this journal whenever you need a little extra “push” or even to mark off a goal that you’ve achieved! The biggest part of starting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is constant commitment to yourself.

Utilize your Recreation Fee
Your recreation fee goes a long way, and there are many different opportunities you can take advantage of with it.

We all know about our RPAC and all its glory, but there are more fitness opportunities beyond just the equipment in the RPAC! There are two gyms on north and south campus: Jesse Owens North and Jesse Owens South. Both gyms provide cardio-based equipment, as well as weight training equipment.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can check out the Adventure Recreation Center (ARC)! Here you can climb on their indoor rock climbing facilities, or you can check out the outdoor opportunities that the Outdoor Adventure Center.

Connected to the RPAC is the Aquatic Center. Here you can take a dip in the leisure pool, swim some laps in the lap pool, or even chill out in the sauna (see what I did there?!).

Another great opportunity that your recreation fee accounts for are FREE Group Fitness classes. Not only is a Group Fitness class a great way to improve your health, it can also lead to building connections with others that have the same interests!

Your recreation fee is used for many different facilities and programs around Ohio State. With a little research, you can find something that fits your desires and goals!

Make Healthy Nutritional Choices
A proper diet is a great step in the right direction for a healthy lifestyle! Ohio State provide plenty of opportunities to research and discover nutritional value of their dining services. The Student Wellness Center, located in the RPAC, offers free nutritional counseling as well. At a larger level, you can choose to utilize MyPlate.Gov to make healthy eating choices outside of Ohio State’s dining services.

Find a Friend to Workout With You
In a crazy, fast-paced lifestyle that we live in college, it’s hard to keep up with a fitness program. In the same sense, it can also be hard to keep up with your relationships with friends. Why not kill two birds with one stone? Ask one or two of your close friends to be your “work out partner.” Friends are always a great way to keep you on track and motivated to keep up with your fitness goals. You both can hang out and spend time together while improving your health!

Let’s hope you don’t have any friends like Terry Crews though…

Find Fun Alternatives

Not every fitness work out has to be in a gym! There are plenty of fitness opportunities that are off the treadmill and out of the weight room. When the weather improves, running outside may be an option. You  might say, “But Levi, it’s far too cold, and there is too much snow on the ground to go outside.” Ah yes, you can even work out from the comfort of your room! There are programs, like P90X and Insanity, that are focused on fitness from your own room! Apps for your smart phone have been created for health & wellness (7 Minute Workout).

But don’t limit yourself to just working out or running. Find a group of friends, and go out and play some sort of sport! In the winter, you can play basketball, racquetball, or even take a swim in the Aquatic Center. When the weather warms up, head out to the Oval to throw a Frisbee around. You could even head over to the Lincoln Turf Fields and play soccer or football!

So what do you say? Are you ready to “Go for Gold” in your life? Take these tips and head out on your journey to a healthier lifestyle. And hey, you may even start feeling like an Olympian in your life!