Spring Break
Monday, March 2, 2015
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Top 5: What
Not to Do
Don’t head to the gym to look good for Spring Break
Alexis Malapitan Columnist T @ImAlexisM
Despite the week of freedom students get over Spring Break, there are some things you still shouldn’t do: 1. Put yourself in debt: I love shopping. I would live at the mall if I could. I sometimes get carried away and forget there could be a limit on my credit card. As a full-time college student, I have to keep in mind that money is an object — no matter how cute those dangling earrings or “Little Mermaid” top may be. Don’t spend all of your money (or money you don’t have) over Spring Break. 2. Get too intoxicated: With the stress of homework, extracurricular activities and work, Spring Break sounds like a perfect opportunity to unwind. While I enjoy drinking as much as the next person, it’s important to limit yourself. You don’t want to do something you’ll regret for the rest of your life thanks to alcohol.
Michelle Moreno Columnist
You can stay or get in shape over Spring Break regardless of where you are or what equipment is available. Jenna Daniels, personal trainer at the Recreation Center, has easyto-follow Spring Break workout tips which range from creating achievable goals to finding ways to fuel the body with the energy workouts require. A gym isn’t necessary in order to get a good workout, Daniels said. The Internet provides a variety of easy-to-follow workouts that can be done just about anywhere. Even if Internet access isn’t available, there are simple body weight workouts that can be done. Daniels said she stresses that beginners take their workouts lightly at first and work their way up. “Don’t do something you can’t do,” Daniels said. “Start off with looking through YouTube videos. You can find some great workouts there. Start with body weight workouts like lunges, squats, triceps dips and pushups, and then progress to machines and dumbbells.” Daniels emphasized the importance of not being afraid to hit the weights if available. She said a lot of people tend to stick to cardio, which is great for burning calories,
3. Hit up your friends too much: They could be bored, but it isn’t a good idea to constantly ask your friends if they can hang out. Maybe you’ve hung out before and they want a break from you or maybe they’re going out of town and can’t spend time with you. Either way, don’t look desperate. Look up some DIY crafts on Pinterest or try recipes.
Photos courtesy Thinkstock
You can stay fit without a gym over spring break — just use workout videos on the Internet and start working out slowly, gradually building up intensity, writes columnist Michelle Moreno.
but it’s the muscles that come with weight training that will continue to burn calories throughout the day even after you’re done working out. Everyday objects like water bottles or jugs can act as weights for a little added intensity, she said. Getting or staying in shape doesn’t have to mean spending hours at the gym for those who don’t have access to one. Daniels said doing at least 30
minutes of medium-intensity cardio is sufficient, and adding stabilization exercises helps, too. She said people often neglect their core, which is essential for a balanced body. Stabilization exercises, such as planks, will help work those deeper muscles and maintain a strong core, which will improve posture and flatten your tummy just in time for swimsuit season. It’s important to keep in mind
everyone is different when it comes to working out and staying in shape. Just have fun and staying in shape during Spring Break will be a breeze. “Just find the right kind of balance and continue to stay on that general balance and don’t get discouraged,” Daniels said. It may be hard at first, but it’ll pay off in the long run not only for Spring Break but for summer, too.
4. Be attached to social media: Let’s face it; with our mediasaturated world and social media being the center of our lives, we’ve got to take a break from our phones and computers. With that being said: live your life. Get some fresh air, talk to people in person and have fun. Don’t be a hermit and tweet/Instagram how bored you are by posting random throwback pictures. 5. Hurt yourself: As cool as it may be to brag to your friends about how much of a daredevil you are, don’t hurt yourself. Keep your bones in your body and stay safe. Afterall, Spring Break only leaves us with a few days to actually recover.
Want to catch a game? Chicago offers home options Frank Gogola Sports Editor T @FrankGogola
The Chicagoland area is just the place to be if you want to go to a game over spring break. Five Chicago-area teams will play 10 home games on eight of the 11 days of NIU’s spring break. Whether you’re a hockey goon or
someone who goes crazy for basket- Chicago Bulls ball, check out this guide: • Bulls vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 7 p.m. Thursday at the United Chicago Blackhawks Center in Chicago • Blackhawks vs. Edmonton Oil• Bulls vs. Memphis Grizzlies 7 ers 7:30 p.m. Friday at the United p.m. March 9 at the United Center Center in Chicago in Chicago • Blackhawks vs. New York Rangers 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the United Chicago Fire Center in Chicago • Fire vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
5 p.m. March 14 at Toyota Park in Chicago Wolves Bridgeview • Wolves vs. Utica Comets 7 p.m. March 11 at Allstate Arena in RoseRockford IceHogs mont • IceHogs vs. Oklahoma City • Wolves vs. Utica Comets 7 p.m. Barons 7 p.m. Friday at BMO Har- March 14 at Allstate Arena in Roseris Bank Center in Rockford mont • IceHogs vs. Grand Rapids Grif• Wolves vs. Rockford IceHogs 3 fins 7 p.m. Saturday at BMO Harris p.m. March 15 at Allstate Arena in Bank Center in Rockford Rosemont