Oklahoma State University - Redskin Yearbook (Stillwater, OK)

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b. fc )im Buser holds his elbows high and his head down as he works out In the OSU pool (far left). The face of Leo Hunt reflects deter- mination, stamina and vigor as he persues his fitness program (left). A sea of legs Is reflected In gym- nasium mirrors during an OSU aerobics class (above). photos by Lisa Ziegler «ii i J' campus life 2 5

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FIT OR PHFT? Exercising the option to exercise The so-called fitness craze of the eighties has forced OSU faculty and students to take a second look at themselves. These days, the emphasis is on physical fitness; looking and feeling good. Thin isn't in anymore. Key phrases are get a shape, while getting in shape and build it up, while taking it off. I lift to improve my image and to make me feel better about myself. Besides I have to carry my girlfriend's luggage, said James Richardson, junior. Richardson gained 65 pounds in slightly over a year by following a strict weight- lifting program. Webster's Riverside Dictionary defines 'fit in two ways. The first and most well-known definition is to be physical- ly fit However the second definition, adapted to an end, aim or design, also pertains to the current emphasis on fitness. Exercise helps individuals adapt, mentally and physically, to everyday life. For me, running is a stress relaxant, said OSU vice-president of research Bill Sibley. Sibley runs about two miles every day, sometimes with several of his colleagues. It's like a modern form of the business lunch, Sibley said. A lot of us run together and informally exchange ideas on how to do things and make improvements in various programs. I used to play handball, but running is quicker and less involving. Fitness comes in many shapes and sizes. The smooth, elongated muscles of the swimmer or dancer are as carefully cultivated as the bulging biceps and rounded calves of the weight lifter. It is a matter of personal preference and in- clination. I enjoy swimming because its good exercise, and it's fun, said Renee Kolar, OSU sophomore, in fact, it's the best sport around for toning your whole body. It's not as strenuous on the indi- vidual muscles as jogging and running. Besides, it burns three times as many calories per mile. 24 •campus life Other fitness options include tennis, aerobics, bicycling, dancing and stair- running. Often choices are limited by busy time schedules and varying weather. Running stairs is a convenient way to exercise, said Staci Robertson, soph- omore. I don't have to go out of my way or spend a lot of time. It doesn't matter what time of day it is or what the weather is like, and it keeps me from gaining weight. Commitment and perseverance are essential to the success of an exercise program. Finding the time to exercise regularly is one of the most difficult steps in starting and maintaining an ex- ercise routine. I need to exercise, but I just don't seem to have the time. When I do, 1 always feel better about myself after- ward. I need to start finding the time, said Laurie Steel, freshman. Another student had a different view- point. I just don't have the time, and I hate to sweat, said Kelly Reed. If you want to exercise — okay. If not, that's okay, too. The current exercise trend is doing more than revitalizing the average American's image; it is boosting the American economy. Exercise books, tapes, records and videos have become a national obsession. Many stars are creating and marketing exercise pro- grams that race up the best-seller lists as soon as they appear. Clothes designers devote a great deal of time and effort to designing comfortable and stylish clothes to work out in. Fitness clubs enroll entire families and expand at a phenomenal rate. Stores stock greater amounts of health foods to meet the growing demand, while natural food stores specialize in providing healthy alternatives to junk food. It remains to be seen whether this emphasis on physical fitness is a passing fad or a new way of life. Time will un- doubtedly tell. f

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