From the iron to the dust(devils)

Editor’s note: New Bridge staff writer, Luis Ramirez is a Certified Personal Trainer, National Physique Committee member, and an amateur bodybuilder. Read his views about how to keep fit, mentally and physically, below. Three Important Factors to help you keep up with the New Year’s resolutions you (almost) forgot about. As a graduate student, I fully understand the pressures of a university life far too well. You have a ten page paper on Wednesday, a power-point presentation on Thursday, Jell-O shots on Friday-and Saturday and maybe Sunday-all on top of attending class all week and maybe working. It’s no wonder such a hectic schedule becomes a college student’s greatest deterrent from working out and finding the proper time and motivation. So to alleviate your stress, I will take it upon myself to give you the three most important things to make you a better, healthier you. You can thank me later. Number one: Consistency. With all the distractions that surround everyday life, it is important to stay consistent with your workout routine. Before you start a work-out plan, set the days and the times you will always have free as your workout days; if its three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, perhaps), promise yourself that you will attend everyone of those workouts, no matter what. Allow yourself at least an hour of free time to work out. After a few weeks, this routine will seem less like an hinderance; I will become a part of your day, just like work and school. On that note, only excuse yourself from workouts for circumstances from which you would be excused from work and school. This keeps you on task and helps you realize the importance of your physical well-being. Number two: Motivation Motivation can go a long way into achieving a healthier lifestyle. Be sure that the motivation you have is enough to drive you to attend your workout sessions. Upon starting a workout regimen, it’s important to set out both long-term and short-term goals. These goals should be realistic and should have your health in mind. Maybe you’ve been dying to show off a six-pack at MTV’s Spring Break, and this year is the year you’ve vowed to do it. Maybe, you just want to shed a few pounds or tone up a bit. Maybe, you just want to do it to become healthier and have something to enjoy. Whatever your goals are, they will serve as the main element of combustion in setting your motivation on fire. In addition diversity in workouts will also serve as great way to keep motivation levels high. Try new things. Try aerobic classes, spinning classes, weight training, cardio machines, yoga and other recreational sports because without variety, a workout routine can become just that-routine.Number three: Realistic DietLet’s face it, without a change in diet, your efforts in the gym are only going to go halfway. I’m not saying abandon all the things you love, but there is no need for a triple-meat-triple-bacon-triple-cheese Whataburger on Texas toast with gravy and large fries in your life. Hell, there should be no room in your life for something like that. The best option of course is to select lean meats and whole grains and prepares the meals on your own. However, as college students, fast-food is next to impossible to avoid, so it is important to make smart choices when eating out. Take a salad instead of fries at restaurants that offer you the option. Opt for the grilled chicken sandwich-most restaurants have one-rather a deep-fried chicken sandwich. Small steps are the key to success, and the changes you’ll see in your body will act as a reward system and encourage you to eat better. Something as simple as cutting out sodas could yield to big changes in your physique. A 16 ounce. Coca Cola drink has 54 grams of sugar and contains 194 calories. It would take 54 minutes of walking, 22 minutes of running, 16 minutes of swimming or 30 minutes of cycling to burn off one drink. That’s not taking into account how many sodas you have a day and the rest of your food intake. To ensure that you stay on the fast track to health and fitness, give yourself a cheat day. Be good for the entire week and splurge on a day of your choice. Go out and eat whatever you want and know that you’ll be back to hit the gym hard the day after. Now that I’ve enlightened your minds, take this information and enrich your body. In the words of my body-building role model: I’ll be back. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at luisrmz@students.tamiu.edu. “Start wide, expand further, and never look back.”- Arnold Schwarzenegger