With the new year underway, many begin a quest to improve components of their wellness in 2019. For Brady Dawson, a second-year chemical engineering student, that means introducing consistency into his workouts & diet.

Fall term was Brady’s first experience living out residence halls on campus. “I’m very active,” he says, “but living at my house off-campus, away from the convenience of the dining halls and Dixon Rec, really caused many inconsistencies in my life. Once I got busy with school, I saw a decrease in my fitness level and overall wellness." 

This year Brady hopes to bolster two components of wellness. “I’ve set up a workout plan for winter,” he says. “So far, it has been a success. I go to the gym or am physically active six times per week.” In past terms, Brady has participated in Intramural Racquetball and Flag Football for cardio; this term, he will join Rec Sports’ IM Basketball league. For weight training, Brady can be regularly found repping out sets in Dixon’s weight room. To stay consistent with his workout plan this term, Brady has found it helpful to log his workouts on activity tracking apps. 

Brady’s diet is the second component of wellness he hopes to improve this year. “The last term started really well,” he explains. “I was eating great. The problem was, once school picked up, I got busy.” Brady’s priorities quickly shifted from eating healthy, home-cooked meals to completing canvas assignments and midterms on time. “Its unfortunate junk food is quick and easy, and preparing quality meals takes time.”

This term Brady is restructuring his diet to accommodate his busy schedule. 
Meal prepping helps keep his diet consistently healthy even on busy days. “I grill chicken and beef every Sunday, along with rice, asparagus, and broccoli, and eat the meals regularly throughout the school week when I am too busy to make food.” Brady usually cooks eggs for breakfast, and sometimes makes lasagna or tacos for dinner to mix it up. 

In addition to meal prepping, Brady has found scheduling classes and exercise in blocks together is efficient. “It takes valuable time to get from home to campus,” he says, “but by chunking my classes and workouts together, I’m left with more free time than I had fall term.” 

For Brady, mental health is an essential component of wellness. “It is the ability to cope with life’s obstacles and challenges,” he says. These struggles can be day to day, or year to year. “This term, I need to do a better job focusing on the task at hand. I plan on creating a schedule with allotted times for every task.” Brady sees his ability to fully focus on whatever task he is working on as the key to his wellness.

Ultimately, Brady’s goal for winter term is to practice better wellness habits. To do that it is crucial that he adhere to a consistent workout and meal plan.