Monday Motivation

Even the best of us need to have a cheat day and enjoy a burger. 

Monday Motivation

Get off the couch and enjoy every moment in life. 

6 Benefits of Group Exercise Classes

Are group exercise classes effective?

When beginning the healthier lifestyle journey, it can be daunting to enter the gym alone. Gym intimidation is real and can stunt health goals. That is where group exercise classes come in to rescue the day and your health goals.

While joining an group exercise class can have its own level of intimidation, the atmosphere is motivating, fun, and a reminder that the journey to healthier lifestyle is not a lonely road. Group exercise classes can provide a different kind of social group and create a sense of accountability to attending the classes.

Sue Parke, from Active.com shares her thoughts on group exercise classes, "Joining a class can help build a foundation and structure that you can use to fuel your personal healthy journey for years to come." +ACTIVE

I have participated in group exercise classes for all three years of my college experience. Through these classes, I have learned a lot about myself and why these classes are beneficial for me. With the help of Sue Parke's article, I have listed 6 benefits of taking group exercise classes.

6 benefits of taking group exercise classes:

Motivation

There is a strange sense of motivation from being surrounded by dedicated people with the similar goals. Nothing is more encouraging than having an inspiring instructor and encouraging members all pushing each other to a healthier lifestyle and achieving their goals.

Structure

Sue Parke mentions the easiness of attending a class that already has the warm-up, a quality workout, and the cool down already planned. For me, I enjoy that I don't have to calculate how long my breaks needs to be and to focus on pushing myself and not what I'll be doing next.

Proper Form 

It is a common problem for people with in-proper form to get injured while working out and with previous injuries, the chance of injury can increase. Having a well-trained instructor can help prevent injury and teach proper form for future years. Personally, I have had muscle injuries in the past so it is beneficial and safer for me to be taught proper form so I don't hurt myself in future.

Variety

Sue Parke mentions the effectiveness of participating in multiple, different type of exercise classes to keep muscles guessing and speed up your metabolism in anticipation. Different classes will be offered depending on the gym and athletic clubs. For me, I tend to stick to
the same things when I'm on my own so taking a class

Accountability

When participating in the same classes every week, getting to know the instructor, and fellow classmates, the expectation to attend with increase. Scheduling the classes into daily routine is another way of keeping on top of your gym/athletic clubs attendance and your progress to a healthier lifestyle. For me, it is harder to skip an exercise class when I know the instructor is knows my name and looking for my participation.

Fun 

Group classes are just plain fun, both Sue Parke and I agree. The upbeat music, motivating people, and quality workout is a great way to have get rid of gym intimidation and enjoy exercising. I recommend to stay focused on yourself and your progress and ignore the looks coming from the exterior of the exercise class.

Do YOU do a group exercise class? Comment Below! 

Monday Motivation

Create the life and body you desire now, no need to wait to begin. 

Monday Motivation

Don't let your mind stop your progress. 

8 Meals to Pack & Go

Life in college is crazy. The days are often spent trying to balance classes, studying, working, and catching up with friends. Finding time to be healthy in college also takes some balance and patience.

One great way to balance healthy eating with college is packing healthy meals for on the go. Packing healthy meals for school and work helps limit the amount of cafeteria and vending machine food eaten while studying or working. Finding healthy meals that are easy to transport can be challenging but not impossible. So what are some healthy meals when on the go?

Here are some my recommendation:


What Lisa Cooks shares some great lunches to go that are not just sandwiches, here are some of my favorites. Don't be afraid to modify these recipes to fit your tastes.

French Toast Sticks w/ Yogurt: 

- French toast, cut in strips
- Maple or flavored yogurt for dipping
- Strawberries and grapes
- Mozzarella cheese

Mac 'N Cheese w/ Salad:

- Macaroni and Cheese in thermal
- Deconstructed salad w/ lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, and another other vegetable.
- Small side of dressing.

Customized Burritos:

- Homemade burritos
- Carrots
- Grapes
- Cheese

Tortilla Rolls: 

- Tortilla rolls full of turkey, cream cheese, or whatever ingredients you prefer.
- Grapes
- Strawberries
- Cheese
- Muffin

Pesto Chicken Salad: 

- Grilled chicken w/ tablespoon of mayonnaise and tablespoon of pesto mixed together.
- Shredded lettuce
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Cheese






Above pictures belong to +What Lisa Cooks 



Jenny Flake, author of the Picky Palate cookbook shares a great meal to go recipe that I'll definitely be trying:

Grilled Chicken Veggie Bowls: 

- Seasoned Chicken Breast
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Brown Rice
- Quinoa

You can find the full directions here.



Above picture belongs to +Jenny Flake 



Cassie, author of Back to Her Roots shares some of her healthy lunches to go, here are some of my favorites:

 Turkey Sprout Sandwich

- Turkey and sprout sandwich on whole wheat
- Cucumbers
- Pretzels and hummus
- Cherry tomatoes
- Hard-boiled egg
- Blueberries and strawberries
- Chocolate covered cherries.

Chicken Salad

- Chicken salad
- Green  beans
- Roasted potatoes
- Crackers
- Mini pear
- Strawberries
- Chocolate covered cherries.






Above pictures belong to +Back to Her Roots 

What are some of YOUR favorite meals on to go? Comment Below! 

Who am I

Hi, I'm Lauren. 

College is time of discovery. It is a period of time dedicated to improving oneself through education, health, and lifestyle. This school year I've taken improving my health more seriously and have discovered that many others are on this journey. So...Embracing Change in College was born. 

College is a time of change. Classes change every semester, roommates changed by the semester or year, relationships with friends and family change, and each individual can change. Not all changes are good but they give each of us an opportunity to change our outlook on the situation or life. This school I've been improving my positive outlook when facing changes or challenges. 

The journey to be a healthier college student has not been a easy or quick change but I know that improving my health and setting healthy habits now will positively impact my future. I also know that I am not on this journey alone; I have a good support system and continue to find more. 

For each person who has helped, advice, and motivated me on my journey, I thank you and I hope that through this blog I can help others who are on their own fitness journey.

Thank you to all current readers and welcome to all new readers.