2008 Woodie Awards
Rekindling the Flame
casey reutemann '09
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: Sports
The best thing about maintaining an active lifestyle in college is the variety in which one can exercise. When else in your life will you have unlimited access to a state-of-the-art fitness center, baseball, soccer, and softball fields, tennis courts, and a pool at your fingertips? With such a wealth of opportunity at hand, deciding what to do can sometimes be more challenging than actually getting up to do it (notice I said "sometimes").
While the commitment to and execution of an active lifestyle in any way, shape, or form is a major accomplishment, sticking to a monotonous routine can breed frustration and failure. When you find yourself viewing fitness as an obligation, when you lose that lovin' feeling for your daily date with the treadmill, or when you just aren't getting the satisfaction you deserve from your hard work; it's time for a trial separation.
Before drowning your sorrows in a tub of Ben and Jerry's, know that you're normal. Just about everyone who exercises regularly gets tired of the same workout routine. This sense of complacency and boredom is termed in the fitness world as a "fitness plateau." Not only does a daily routine make exercise more boring, but it has negative effects on the benefits of the workout. Boredom tends to put a workout into cruise control and when this happens, the heart rate doesn't rise as much and your breathing slows down.
For all who are struggling to find new meaning in their personal fitness, there's hope. All you need to do to breathe life back into your active lifestyle is to take advantage of your options. Play the field a little; literally.
Changing up your routine, whether it be by increasing intensity, choosing a different form of activity, finding a new workout partner, or even working out at a different time of the day, can revitalize your commitment, enjoyment, and motivation. For example, if you typically (and at this point mindlessly) hop on the elliptical at level ten for thirty minutes, try upping the intensity with a higher resistance. Better yet, try a new machine or -GASP- stay out of the gym and go for a jog outside. Making your body work harder and challenging new muscles not only revs up your metabolism and increases the physical benefits of your workout, but it also brings back that mental fulfillment you get from challenging your body.
While the commitment to and execution of an active lifestyle in any way, shape, or form is a major accomplishment, sticking to a monotonous routine can breed frustration and failure. When you find yourself viewing fitness as an obligation, when you lose that lovin' feeling for your daily date with the treadmill, or when you just aren't getting the satisfaction you deserve from your hard work; it's time for a trial separation.
Before drowning your sorrows in a tub of Ben and Jerry's, know that you're normal. Just about everyone who exercises regularly gets tired of the same workout routine. This sense of complacency and boredom is termed in the fitness world as a "fitness plateau." Not only does a daily routine make exercise more boring, but it has negative effects on the benefits of the workout. Boredom tends to put a workout into cruise control and when this happens, the heart rate doesn't rise as much and your breathing slows down.
For all who are struggling to find new meaning in their personal fitness, there's hope. All you need to do to breathe life back into your active lifestyle is to take advantage of your options. Play the field a little; literally.
Changing up your routine, whether it be by increasing intensity, choosing a different form of activity, finding a new workout partner, or even working out at a different time of the day, can revitalize your commitment, enjoyment, and motivation. For example, if you typically (and at this point mindlessly) hop on the elliptical at level ten for thirty minutes, try upping the intensity with a higher resistance. Better yet, try a new machine or -GASP- stay out of the gym and go for a jog outside. Making your body work harder and challenging new muscles not only revs up your metabolism and increases the physical benefits of your workout, but it also brings back that mental fulfillment you get from challenging your body.
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