Females and males on campus are making conscious efforts to attain their ideal body image.
From making more visits to the student recreational center to dodging campus food, people are seriously pursuing weight loss and health goals.
“I go to the gym 4-5 days per week, and I have a specific part of the body that I work on each day,” Xavier Thaxter, junior and exercise and sports science major, said.
With warmer weather looming in the near future, a surge of motivation for exercise is being shown within the student body. Many students have openly discussed and tweeted about their desires to get their perfect body to flaunt for spring break. Going to beaches is an always popular college tradition, and it causes body image consciousness to increase as well.
Thaxter expressed his want for a healthier state overall but definitely acknowledged that he wants to be completely comfortable with his appearance when the long-awaited break arrives.
“Since I am an exercise and sports science major, I feel obligated to look and be healthy,” Thaxter said.
From freshmen to seniors, there is excitement in enjoying the transition from cold Memphis weather to warm sunny places like Panama City and Miami Beach. Planning to visit a beach has always put pressure on how a person’s exterior looks. The concern with flat stomachs, toned abs, and maintaining a certain body weight often stem from planned vacations. The Student Recreation and Fitness Center is an important tool that helps people reach their goals, and it’s also convenient.
“The recreational center is a beautiful outlet,” Britney McGhee, sophomore and journalism major with a public relations concentration, said. “I feel that I can get the total body workout that I’m looking for.”
McGhee said her abs is a big focus area for her, and she feels that the rec has a good number of equipment available too help her with that.
Despite peer pressure and urges to work out, fast-food options on campus pose threats to physical progress and health overall.
“Campus food definitely interfere with my body goals,” McGhee said. “There is not hardly any type of healthy options offered on campus. It’s very tempting to get off track.”
“The food options on campus are not the best,” Thaxter said. “They do have a few items that would fit the needs for a person who is really focused on their diet, for at least one meal a day.”
Fortunately, the rec offers at least seven different opportunities for people to actively engage in workouts and learn health tips. Schedules for intramural sports are plastered in the hallways. Posters about exercise benefits, holiday diet tips, and even training on how to properly to use equipment is available to those who visit.
“We offer club sports, yoga and abs classes, and group fitness classes for free,” Stefanie Mikesz, grad school physical education teaching education student and rec employee, said. “We also sponsor Midday Moves.”
Group activities appear to be beneficial because it helps participants set goals and encourages friends to support each other.
“I do find it helpful having a workout partner or group when first working out because people feel self-conscious about not knowing what to do,” Thaxter said.
The rec provides students with trainers to assist them with workouts. They even have employees that check workout progress Mikesz said
The resources help establish a more solid and consistent regiment for those who struggle with creating one on their own.
“I don’t have an established exercise routine, and that’s my problem now,” McGhee said. “Trying to stay on a routine in college can be very difficult when juggling classwork, and job, and a social life.
“Visiting the rec on a regular helped me establish my exercise routine,” Thaxter said. “Sometimes I’ll change up exercises to get a variety, but for the most part, I stick to my routine.”
To actively work towards body goals, students can refer to the intramural sports and sign-up instructions posted on the walls. The next deadline is Jan. 29 and is for outdoor soccer. If the sports listed don’t strike interest, brochures on things like aquatics and more also available inside.
