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THF MTY Page 6 ■ m ■ -A. f I I Monday, Aug. 22,2005 ' - HEALTH & SCIENCE STAYING FIT l I FRESHMAN YEAR How USC students are combatting weight gain during their first year John IDurray FOR THE GAMECOCK In recent years, the desire to bt healthy and attractive has become more than just a mantra to man) people. In fact, it has become s billion-dollar industry and a way oi life for thousands of Americans. College students and young adults make up a large percentage of these people. So how do USC students stay healthy? Often spurred by a fear of the fabled “freshman 15,” man) freshmen begin to work out for the first time. For people like Kaitlyn Pruitt, a first-year business administration student, staying in shape is easy and fun. An avid swimmer, Kaitlyn finds it easy to stay healthy through exercise. “I swim about half an hour everyday.” Included in her exercise routines are frequent trips to the Blatt P.E. Center and half-hour bike rides around campus. Other freshmen, such as Jefl Britt, an engineering student, and Clint Cooper, a business student, often walk down the street to the Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center to work out or play sports such as basketball. Theit classmate Rachel Litvack, a biology student, prefers to run. She usually runs laps for 30 to 40 minutes, hops on the treadmill for 10 minutes and works on toning her abs for another 10 minutes. Workouts for upperclassmen are often no different than they are for freshmen. “I play racquetball with my roommates or run about two miles or 20 minutes on the treadmill, whichever I’m in the mood to do,” said Steve Szabo, third-year sports and entertainment management student. Szabo said he also lifts weights using the bench presses and leg presses. Tired of being out of shape, Brian Wietecha, a fourth-year media arts student, said he decided “to take advantage of the fitness center since you get charged for it anyway.” He uses the weight room five days a week and likes to run for an hour after lifting weights. He stressed that exercise teaches discipline and dedication and promotes healthy living in the future. Everyone knows exercise is crucial to being in shape. No less important, however, is a person’s diet. Not all USC students are concerned with food consumption as a way to stay in shape. Britt and Cooper said they can eat whatever they want, but such is not the case for everyone. “Eating salads and sushi at the Russell House helped me to stay in shape,” Litvack said. “I also take a multi-vitamin, eat soy nuts and stay away from fried foods.” Szabo, who had recently met with his dietician, said he also eats at the Russell House. “I’ll eat fruits, vegetables, whole wheat sandwiches and complex carbohydrates to increase my metabolism.” He and Wietecha felt constant hydration is important, as Szabo drinks approximately six 20 ounce bottles of water daily. Off-campus options such as Earth Fare and Rosewood Market & Deli offer diet-friendly food. Earth Fare describes itself as “a chain of markets that offers healthier choices in organic produce, salad and hot foods bar, bulk, vegan-friendly items and more.” Earth Fare is located at 3312-B Devine St. For more information, call Earth Fare at 803-799-0048. Rosewood Market & Deli, located at 2803 Rosewood Dr., offers “organic produce, deli, and vitamins.” For more information, Alexis Amone/THE GAMECOCK The Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center offers advice on nutrition as well as a variety of workout and sports equipment. call Rosewood Market & Deli at 803-765-1083. Local supermarkets also carry healthy items beyond the obvious fruits and vegetables. Just make sure you’re not cheating yourself out of necessary nutrients just because a product says it’s “diet.” Many restaurant chains now have menus tailored to fit various dietary needs. Especially popular are low-carb or Atkins-friendly menus. O’Charley’s offers a “low carb” menu supplement for those watching their carbohydrate intake. You don’t have to succumb to the pressures of late-night munchies just because nobody’s looking over your shoulder. Whether you want to run, walk, lift weights, or just eat right, staying fit in Columbia is possible. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatures@gwm. sc. edu '•&* ' r:i tfc ■t'V-i' ttb'A MS 5 i -’« .* ->fc:'- "• „.. f \ t t t i i t i \ jsipjj Alexis Amone/THE GAMECOCK Campus Wellness, located in the Strom Thurmond Center, offers a wide range of services. Fitness center unveils cardio creations Alexis Amone/THE GAMECOCK The climbing wall at the Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center is three stories tall and features three difficulty levels. The Fitness Center recently reopened, featuring a new cardio theater. flicole Burns and Jamie Rogers THE GAMECOCK This fall the Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center will provide students with one more reason to get in shape. The center celebrated its grand re-opening Aug. Y], just one day before the start of USC’s fall semester. The center now features a cardio theater that allows students to watch personal televisions while working out. Approximately 56 BroadcastVision flat-screen monitors have been installed on the cardio deck of the center. The televisions are connected to the USC cable system so students can watch the same stations at the Center that they would in their dorm rooms. The televisions include personal DVD players for those who want to make it a Blockbuster workout. Jonathan Seymour, a second year graduate student and shift supervisor at the Center, said he thinks the new equipment will attract more students to the gym. “The television on the cardio machines has created a buzz and excitement throughout the student body about working out,” Seymour said. When most students saw the new setup for the first time, they seemed surprised. “All of the students seemed to be content with the new changes in the Strom Thurmond Center,” said Carrie Bradley, a fourth-year English student. “The televisions are great. When I heard that they were installing TVs on some of the exercise machines, I came down here just to check them out. I have been coming for the past three days and intend on starting a routine of at least three to four days a week.” Other students have started coming to the center early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid crowds. The Strength and Conditioning level has something to boast about as well, featuring about 30 new strength and conditioning machines, including dumbbells and squat racks. For students who prefer exercise classes, the center has classes starting as early as 7 a.m. during the week, including step aerobics, cardio combo, cycling, yoga and abdominal express. The center also offers Pilates, sculpting and kickboxing classes. Students can find graphical ‘ schedules by visiting the front desk, Jocated on Centers main level. Today is the last day of free promotional classes at the Center. After today, students will have to pay $20 to attend classes during the fall semester. Campus Wellness, located in room 112 of the Center, offers students personal wellness profiles. Body fat, blood pressure and cholesterol screenings are also offered. Campus Recreation sponsors events that contribute to a healthy college experience, including grocery-store tours and cooking, weight management and smoking addiction classes. Stop making excuses: The Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center offers too many options for you to use the old “I don’t know how to get started” excuse. All you have to do is get there, and they’ll take you the rest of the way. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatures@gwm. sc. edu www. dailygamecock. com