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After I graduated from Manhattan College in 2012, I found that the best way to handle all the changes that come after graduation, was to focus on my health and fitness. As I cheerleader, I have always been active, but now that I was no longer part of a team and back home and not working out, it challenged me to find a way incorporate fitness back into my life.

I signed up at the local YMCA and began going to the gym a few days a week. It was productive, but the routine was predictable and I was not used to working out by myself. For years, I worked out with teammates and small groups and found this worked best for me. Around the time, I found myself in this rut, I ran into one of my friends from high school who was on the same cheerleading team as me. Although we lost touch in college, our interest in fitness was an easy way to pick back up our friendship. She shared her same struggle of not being motivated at the gym and we decided to look for group classes that could keep us motivated.

Zumba classes have always been a favorite of ours! It is an hour that we are just able to dance and have fun without even thinking that we were working out. My friend recently became a certified Zumba instructor, so it was a great opportunity for me to support her as well. I recommend Zumba to anyone looking to change up their routine while having a lot of fun.

I started doing yoga about two years ago after an injury, and it is one of the best decisions I could have made for myself. I go to yoga twice a week at a yoga studio and the YMCA and take Vinyasa classes. This is a beginner level class but you will see progress as you continue to go to class. Not only is this my time to unwind from the day, it has increased my flexibility and taught me techniques to calm down after a long day. Everyone can benefit from yoga, especially anyone with any back injuries.

If you are really looking for a challenge, I recommend KettleBell Kickboxing! You can search for a Certified Trainer in your area through a quick Google search. I found a gym in my hometown called Trinity Training. The staff is great and I felt very comfortable trying this class! This high intensity class is usually an hour and includes 1 minute intervals of various workouts incorporating kettle bells. You will feel the workout immediately after the class. I was sore as soon as I got home, but it was definitely worth it!

Even with all these workouts, nutrition is key in keeping up with this healthy lifestyle! Tone It Up has great nutrition plans and workouts that are easy to follow. They also have a Tone It Up Community,where you can meet girls in your area who have an interest in health and fitness.

I’m so glad that I have incorporated these classes into my regular workout because it has motivated me to keep up with this healthy lifestyle. It is also a great way to make new friends who share the same interests, which is sometimes hard to do after college. These classes are easy to find, and have great discount rates for students. Some gyms even offer free classes for first time customers.

Tweet me @_susanmegan if you try any of these classes or find any new ones you would like to share or leave a comment below!

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