English Department seniors who regularly workout, share their workout routines and own experiences.
“The workloads in the English department are strenuous because there are many extracurricular activities that require a lot of energy,” said Julie Lee, the assistant of the English Department. “I feel more energized the day after doing the right amount of cardio,” said Alvin Lin. Zoe Guo, a senior, also said, “freeing up time for physical activity makes me feel happier and more energetic.” Secretary Lee believes that students in the department can reduce stress, regulate moods, and boost their energy via exercising. There are, indeed, studies uncovered that exercise stimulates the production of new cells in people’s brains, which enhances work productivity. “Going for a run at night helps me become more attentive the next day,” Lin added.
“At first, I worked out solely because I wanted to change my body shape, but gradually, working out became beneficial both mentally and physically,” said Guo, who has been working out for several years. “Working out gives me the courage to challenge myself with new things and step out of my comfort zone,” she said. She then shared her journey of how she went from a total newbie in the gym to someone who takes pleasure from working out. Initially, she self-taught by watching YouTube tutorial videos without hiring a coach.
Lin does cardio exercises because it can be performed anywhere and at any time, and he believes that a busy schedule shouldn’t be an acceptable excuse. Michelle Fan practices aerial yoga, also known as anti-gravity yoga, and goes jogging on weekends because she has a busy schedule during the weekdays. In sophomore and junior years, Guo woke up at 7 to 8 in the morning to work out because she didn’t have time after then. “Now that I’m a senior, the assignments are relatively easy. Therefore, a more flexible schedule.” She usually performs a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout for approximately 30 to 45 minutes. HIIT includes a short burst of super intense exercise with a short rest in between sets, a process which has been proven to boost metabolism and build strength.
Michelle Fan performing handstand during aerial yoga class. Photo provided by Michelle Fan.
“I believe that my workout is relatively intermediate, so individuals with exercise habits would find it relatively easy,” Guo said. However, she emphasized that cultivating a habit to exercise is crucial, so she recommended that beginners start with low-intensity HIIT workouts for two reasons. First, low intensity HIIT wouldn’t make beginners feel intimidated, which would make it easier for them to turn it into a habit. Second, it will build the necessary strength for them to perform the actual intensity of HIIT exercises. Fan mainly practices aerial yoga because the workout prioritizes high stability which helps her find inner peace. “Our mind connects with our body,” said Fan. “Therefore, if I don’t stay calm during workout, I will fall down from the hammock.”
The place where Alvin Lin goes jogging. Photo provided by Alvin Lin.
However, working out can also lead to side effects if extrinsic motives outweigh intrinsic motives. Fan believes that pushing oneself to the breaking point can lead to drawbacks. For example, she used to chase after the ideal beauty standards, so she didn’t eat enough and exercised excessively. In addition, Guo also shares a similar experience, as she mentions “there was a period when I restrained my appetite, which caused me to develop depression and overeating.”