Eating healthier snacks such as fruit and vegetables can help you lose weight for Spring Break. Working out for 30 to 40 minutes on treadmills and elipticals are good forms of exercise for losing weight. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ARIANE R. CAVIN | DAILY KENT

Credit: Carl Schierhorn

Ashley Daily, freshman political science major, has been watching her weight for Spring Break since the start of spring semester.

“I normally either run on the track or do the elliptical about four times a week,” Daily said.

Students such as Daily who want to lose weight should increase their cardiovascular activity to about 30 or 40 minutes each day, said Pepsi Hutton, fitness coordinator at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. She suggests using equipment such as the treadmill or elliptical machines.

While trying to lose weight, students also should focus on weight training to define and tone the body, Hutton said.

“If you build more muscle, it will help burn more calories,” Hutton said.

Daily said she already has started to see the results of her exercise. She said she has lost five pounds.

“I generally feel healthier all around,” Daily said.

For a toned body, Hutton suggested students participate in group instructional classes focused on strength building.

“In a class setting it is easier to motivate yourself,” Hutton said. “It is more of a push.”

To prepare for Spring Break, the rec center is offering free class sessions of yoga and Pilates from Saturday through March 24 with a coupon.

If students have limited time and cannot work out at the rec center, Hutton suggested walking outside or using resistance balls to burn calories and build strength.

“Anything that you do will burn calories,” Hutton said.

To lose weight, Hutton said, you must burn more calories than you take in.

Juanita Weaver, coordinator at the Nutrition Outreach Program, said students should avoid eating fried foods like onion rings and French fries. Condiments like ketchup and mustard also can add unwanted calories to any meal.

“You can still have a burger,” Weaver said. “Just watch what you put on it.”

Salads also can add more calories if eaten with too much dressing. Instead of pouring dressing all over the salad, ask for it on the side and dip your fork into it, Weaver said.

Eating three regular meals is a must, especially breakfast, Weaver added. A healthy snack in between meals can be beneficial because it will reduce binge eating later. Weaver suggests snacks such as grapes or apples.

“Bring anything you can put in your bag,” Weaver said. “That way you can snack in between classes without going to the vending machines.”

Contact Student Recreation and Wellness Center reporter Erika Puch at [email protected].