Freshman 15: Workouts That Work

Dear Diary, 

I have gained weight. I'm not ashamed to admit it. I know I have. Those Starbucks runs-sometimes 3 times a day, staying up until 4 a.m. working on that Psych paper due at 8, and running to the dining hall to get my curly fry fix has finally all caught up on me. 

If you are in the same boat I am, you need to workout. Sometimes it is hard to get over to the gym, especially when you are taking 6 classes this semester-I apologize for that. 

Here are some easy workouts you can do when you don't have time for anything else:

1.) Arm circles. || Stand straight up and extend your arms out at a 90° angle from your body. 
     1.) Start turning your arms from your shoulder clockwise for 30 seconds.
     2.) Keep your arms up throughout the entire exercise, no matter  how hard it becomes.
     3.) Repeat first step, but counterclockwise. 
    On average, you can burn between 15-20 calories per 40 arm circles!

2.) Jump rope! || If you don't own a jump rope, they aren't expensive at all, and this can be
     a great workout. If you don't want to buy one, try jumping jacks, or burpees. Jumping
     rope for 5 minutes can burn up to 68 calories!

3.) Burpees (Alternative to jump rope) || Stand up with your feet shoulder-width apart.
     1.) Kick your feet back in a push-up position and do a push-up
     2.) Kick your feet back to your original position-jump and clap your hands in the air
     3.) Repeat. 15 reps=1 set 
     Burpees can burn up to 15 calories per minute!

4.) Lunges. || Do walking lunges down the hallway.
     1.) Stand up with your legs shoulder-width apart. Keep your hands on your hips.
     2.) Step forward with one foot about 2 or 3 feet from your stance. Keep your back
          straight
     3.) Bend both knees to a kneeling position. Do not allow your knee to touch the ground. 
     4.) Pause at this position, then repeat. Can burn up to 45 calories.

5.) Dance! || Turn up One Direction and rock out for a bit. This is definitely a de-stresser, as
    well! Grooving can burn up to 26 calories!

I hope this helps any of you college gals, or just us that have put on a few pounds-no shame. 

What do you do to burn a few calories?

Until next time, 

Eliza Grace