We are excited that the newly expanded Zone is open now for Brock student use. Due to Ontario guidelines for “red” zones, only 10 people can use the space during each booked time.
Read the full story on The Brock News: In the Zone: new fitness centre opens at Brock.
The days of a university diet consisting of only Kraft Dinner and Mr. Noodles are over! Money might but tight but there are ways you can save on your groceries to be able to afford the food you want and your body needs. Here are a few tips and tricks to save you some money and teach you how to grocery shop right!
Grocery shopping can be made fun with a little effort! Take control of what you want to put in your cart and enjoy your meals weekly while making the healthier choice.
Happy shopping!
Your Friendly Neighborhood Badger
Yes, you can still go for walks/hikes in the winter! And not just around your neighborhood with scantily shovelled sidewalks. There are plenty of paths in the Niagara Region that won’t have you trudging through snow. . . Get outside and enjoy the beautiful landscapes Niagara has to offer!
You may be familiar with this one! This quarry is right across from Brock and you have probably either been there before or at least seen it as you pass it on your way to campus. Located right behind Quarry View Residence along Sir Isaac Brock Way, The Glenridge Quarry offers multiple pathways that lead you to the quarry pond or up to the top of the hill. Here you can see Brock, Niagara Falls, and sometimes catch a glimpse of the Toronto skyline!
This little patch of forested trail is located at the north end of Niagara Street by Lake Ontario and Lock 1. The paths here are forested and flat, making it good for even the windiest of days.! The 307 Niagara Street or 308 Grantham-Lakeshore bus will take you right there, so there are no excuses to not go and explore.
Just past the NOTL Outlets and behind Niagara College you will find Woodend Conservation Area. The main road into the conservation area is closed in the winter but that’s what makes this trail feel like cottage country. Take the road all the way in or follow the trails that line the beautiful Niagara escarpment!
Take a drive out to Wainfleet and check out this beautiful quarry. This Quarry is home to some of the oldest fossils that are visible in the Niagara region. The trails around the quarry have multiple lookout points to have a full view of the pond. This is also great area for fishing if you have a licence!
A favourite winter walking trail that’s easy to tackle! This one is located in Grimsby so it’s a bit of a drive from Brock, but well worth the view. The loop is only about a kilometre long but like most trails in Niagara, it meets up with the Bruce Trail so you can continue on if you want a longer hike. . If you are satisfied with the upper loop there is bottom part of the trail, just be aware that if you hike down you’ll have to get back up!
Check out some other trails Niagara has to offer
If you haven’t explored the region, go and enjoy these beautiful trails year-round!
Your friendly neighbourhood Badger
Being healthy doesn’t only mean working out and eating healthy, it is focusing on holistic health. These tips are easy and cheap solutions to gain motivation, being happier and healthier each day. By following these 8 simple rules, it will help with reducing stress, improving sleep quality, and increasing productivity.
At the beginning of the week, make a meal plan and stick to it. If you are someone who doesn’t like to cook or find you are too busy, take one day to prep your meals for the week. These easy to grab and go meals are a healthier and cheaper option!
Take a moment to plan out your day either the night before or the morning of. This will increase your motivation and productivity. It also allows you to incorporate things you want to do into your day before time slips away.
Set your alarm and place your phone somewhere you won’t be urged to look at it. Take this time to allow your body to wind down and give your brain a break. Tiktok can wait!
Drinking water has so many health benefits. Drinking water keeps you hydrated throughout the day and improves mood.
Exercising has many great benefits to your health! Online fitness programs have become the new fad and are easily accessible! Check out Brock Recreation’s Expressfit on Demand for some workouts to follow along! If exercising isn’t for you, get up and move. Go for a walk, do some yoga, or take brain breaks and stretch!
Go to bed at a decent time and set your schedule to allow for a full 8 hours. You will be less tired and more productive.
Think about those things you love to do but never have time for. When planning your day, add in one of those things you love to do. This allows you to focus on self-worth and spend time doing things for you!
Picking up your lifestyle and changing it completely can be difficult for obvious reasons! Set a goal and take baby steps. Have a goal, stick to it, and build these goals. Once you achieve one, set the next and the next and the next!
Now, more than ever, we notice ourselves moving from the bedroom to the living room completing the same tasks each day. Whether this is schoolwork or working from home, we conform to the same things every day. A healthy lifestyle can easily be forgotten or set aside as we embrace the new normal but following these 8 simple rules will bring you to a healthier lifestyle.
Do it for you! Do it for your health!
Your friendly neighbourhood Badger
Reading week is fast approaching, which also indicates that we are halfway through the winter semester. In the midst of finishing up papers and submitting assignments, we would be packing our bathing suits and hitting the beaches down south. Or rather, we would be packing a different type of gear and hitting the slopes or heading home to see family and friends. Amid a much-needed break, the papers would still be written, and the assignments finished, but this reading week might look different for most!
Here are some ways you can spend your reading week to improve mental health and prepare for the rest of the term.
Use this time to take care of YOU and your health. Follow along with this list of ideas and complete whichever ones speak to you at your own pace.
Wishing you all an enjoyable Reading Week! Get some studying in but be sure to take time to relax and have fun too.
Your friendly neighbourhood Badger
Yes, you read that correctly! Fitness equipment is the new toilet paper. No, we’re not implying or in any way suggesting that you attempt to use it as one in the same, but if you’ve attempted to buy a set of dumbbells recently you may have flashbacks to empty shelves in the hygiene aisle back in early 2020. Fitness equipment is hard to come by right now and if you are lucky enough to find any in stock, chances are you’re paying a premium. With that being said, here are 3 options to consider for at-home fitness equipment.
Aside from cardio equipment, most fitness equipment does the same thing now as it did ten years ago. With that in mind, here are some tips when buying used equipment:
Southern Ontario has a range of residential fitness equipment dealers, here are some of my recommendations:
There are plenty of options for at-home hacks to reduce the need for expensive equipment purchases. Here are some of our suggestions:
If you’re looking to add more to your fitness routine to stay active during lockdown and need that extra motivation, join us for our ExpressFit Live or ExpressFit On Demand classes. Always remember that anything is better than nothing when it comes to exercise and just because it isn’t the gym, doesn’t mean it isn’t fitness!
Stay active and stay safe!
Your friendly neighbourhood Badger
Being isolated from your social life and practically doing everything virtually is hard! Many of us thrive on interaction, and this year, hasn’t provided us with many opportunities to interact with others at the capacity we used to. It’s been hard for us all but let’s talk about it.
This week is the annual Bell Let’s Talk event, which raises awareness about mental health. The proceeds will fund both mental health supports and research in Canada.
It’s important to remember that mental health isn’t a one time “event”, it affects many people every single day. With the pandemic, the need for support has increased more than ever.
Take the time out of your day to reach out to others or ask for support if you feel you are struggling. It’s ok to talk about it.
Did you know, Brock provides great resources that are accessible, even during the pandemic.
It is easy to forget to focus on your well-being when life gets busy.. Here are a few tips to stay positive and healthy.
On Thursday, January 28th, use #BellLetsTalk for every applicable text, call, tweet, or TikTok video and Bell will donate 5 cents for mental health initiatives. We’re all here to raise awareness about mental health and take action. This year, more than ever I encourage you to lend the hand a little further and talk about it. Reach out, stay in touch, express how you feel and together we can help.
Let’s talk about it,
Your friendly neighborhood Badger
I thought 2021 was going to be MY year and give me the opportunity to do my favourite things. Here I am, eating my cheerios and taking my classes from my bedroom. I do most things here; I eat, I sleep, I learn, I watch TV, but I am yet to workout. The only marathon I have done this year is binge watching Bridgerton.
Thinking about how much I used to love exercising at Brock, I decided to take a look to see what recreation has to offer. I was excited to see options for staying active and staying connected. Here are my top picks!
Online Live classes are available via Zoom. To access these classes, copy the Meeting ID and type in the password; BADGER to join. Check out the schedule below!
Password for all classes is “BADGER”
Online lectures, virtual group work, endless reading, oh my! Some weeks even with my best intentions, following a schedule can be hard.
ExpressFit On Demand brings the fitness class experience to your phone, table, or computer. Choose from a variety of workout styles and follow along with Brock’s expert instructors as they guide and motivate you towards improved fitness, one workout at a time. New classes will be added regularly so you can keep it fresh while navigating your own fitness journey.
Find these Sessions: www.brocku.ca/recreation/expressfit-on-demand
Although 2020 was a long year without sports, I am happy to see that NHL is back! I make each game an event in my calendar, throw on my leaf’s jersey, and prepare my favourite meals for game time.
Did you know that Recreation is running Fantasy NHL Hockey and Fantasy NBA Basketball leagues? Drafts are schedule to take place this Friday, January, and will begin on Monday, January 25th. Register here to get invited to the draft.
If you are not one to watch every game, you can join the Pick’EM League to see how many games you can correctly guess each week. I’m not great at predicting the outcome, but it feels good to take home the win sometimes!
Not only does Recreation provide excitement for my love of sports, but they also support my love of gaming! Seriously, how did they know? Esports and App Game Leagues will begin on January 25th and run until February 12th. Check out what is being offered;
If you missed the first registration and are interested in the virtual leagues, there will be another registration that will open following the Winter Reading Week.
Registration for all Leagues is found on IMLeagues.
I hope these resources will provide useful tips to get you moving away from the tv marathons and provide you with positivity vibes that will zen you out while you stay at home. If you would like more information about these programs, message @BrockRecreation on Instagram or email us at recservices@brocku.ca.
Stay Inspired,
Your friendly neighbourhood Badger
In light of the Ontario Government announcing a province wide shutdown beginning Dec. 26, 2020, the Walker Sports Complex (including pool, Zone, gyms, etc.) is closed. Please follow provincial and regional guidance to slow the spread of Covid-19.
Virtual programming is available at any time at ExpressFit On Demand
Work out when you have time – go to Expressfit on Demand and choose a class!
