Truthfully, when I arrived here last August, I never really knew how physically fit our campus was. As time went on, I noticed how students and faculty were also running and biking. The intramural fields were always being used and there are often lines to get into the gym. So it did not surprise me that according to the Active Times, our university the fifth most active campus out of all the colleges in the country.
My first theory as to why everyone at Penn State is so fit is because our campus is huge. The only downfall of going to a huge school is how far away everything is. This means that walking to any place on campus takes a significant amount of time. Though there are buses on campus, most of time they are usually full and personally I would much rather walk than be packed like sardines on a Catabus. On average I tend to walk six miles a day and average about 9,000 steps. What many don't realize is how good walking actually is for our bodies and it only takes a few extra minutes to walk to a class rather than take a bus.
Theory number two as to why the Freshmen Fifteen is absolutely avoidable pertains to the dining hall in East Halls. After almost of year of being in Happy Valley, I am proud to report that I have sampled every dining hall that our campus has to offer. Ironically, the worst one has to be where the vast majority of freshmen live, East Halls. This dining hall has little to offer to begin with and with the renovations taking place, it seems that now they have nothing to offer at all. I do believe this was done on purpose, so that the freshmen wouldn't gain weight and be forced to take the ten minute journey down to South Dining hall or the HUB where they offer many more options.
Another theory about why the Freshmen Fifteen is avoidable is the beauty of our gyms and all they have to offer. The IM building which happens to be next to East Halls, where the vast majority of freshmen live, is the nicest gym that I've ever seen in my nineteen years of living. From the indoor track, basketball courts, weight rooms, racquetball rooms, volleyball courts and ample treadmills to the ellipticals, this building makes you want to work out. The view from the treadmill and the track just happens to look out to Beaver Stadium. The scenery never gets old and makes me miss the fall and Saturdays spent with family and friends decked out in blue and white.
Lastly, our university has so many food places to offer. From the various dining halls, to HUB dining with two salad places and a smoothie place. Let's not forget that the Creamery even has sandwiches, pasta salad, fruit and veggie cups. Also, if you get sick of all that, there are a ton of healthy places to eat at downtown like Fiddlehead (my favorite salad place), Noodles & Co and Panera Bread. Penn State has it all.
People gain weight in college and that is okay. However, I do believe that it really is avoidable here at Penn State. If you take the bus often, try walking to class; after all the weather is getting warmer. Take a friend to the IM building and play racket ball; after all it is an incredible work out. Go for a run outside; there are so many different routes you can take each day with all different beautiful scenery. Take advantage of all the healthy options that are both on and off campus and I guarantee that those fifteen pounds won't be seen on you.
My first theory as to why everyone at Penn State is so fit is because our campus is huge. The only downfall of going to a huge school is how far away everything is. This means that walking to any place on campus takes a significant amount of time. Though there are buses on campus, most of time they are usually full and personally I would much rather walk than be packed like sardines on a Catabus. On average I tend to walk six miles a day and average about 9,000 steps. What many don't realize is how good walking actually is for our bodies and it only takes a few extra minutes to walk to a class rather than take a bus.
Theory number two as to why the Freshmen Fifteen is absolutely avoidable pertains to the dining hall in East Halls. After almost of year of being in Happy Valley, I am proud to report that I have sampled every dining hall that our campus has to offer. Ironically, the worst one has to be where the vast majority of freshmen live, East Halls. This dining hall has little to offer to begin with and with the renovations taking place, it seems that now they have nothing to offer at all. I do believe this was done on purpose, so that the freshmen wouldn't gain weight and be forced to take the ten minute journey down to South Dining hall or the HUB where they offer many more options.
Another theory about why the Freshmen Fifteen is avoidable is the beauty of our gyms and all they have to offer. The IM building which happens to be next to East Halls, where the vast majority of freshmen live, is the nicest gym that I've ever seen in my nineteen years of living. From the indoor track, basketball courts, weight rooms, racquetball rooms, volleyball courts and ample treadmills to the ellipticals, this building makes you want to work out. The view from the treadmill and the track just happens to look out to Beaver Stadium. The scenery never gets old and makes me miss the fall and Saturdays spent with family and friends decked out in blue and white.
Lastly, our university has so many food places to offer. From the various dining halls, to HUB dining with two salad places and a smoothie place. Let's not forget that the Creamery even has sandwiches, pasta salad, fruit and veggie cups. Also, if you get sick of all that, there are a ton of healthy places to eat at downtown like Fiddlehead (my favorite salad place), Noodles & Co and Panera Bread. Penn State has it all.
People gain weight in college and that is okay. However, I do believe that it really is avoidable here at Penn State. If you take the bus often, try walking to class; after all the weather is getting warmer. Take a friend to the IM building and play racket ball; after all it is an incredible work out. Go for a run outside; there are so many different routes you can take each day with all different beautiful scenery. Take advantage of all the healthy options that are both on and off campus and I guarantee that those fifteen pounds won't be seen on you.
All these are very true reasons why most people at Penn State don't have to gain the freshman 15. I really hope it starts warming up again so we can walk to class!
ReplyDeleteI never thought about how East dining hall was the worst to make freshman go to other places. I think that avoiding the freshman fifteen really has something to do with it. Good catch, lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Shannon :)