Itsy Bitsy Bikini

Students here at Long Beach State are starting to feel the pressure to get back into shape. With the temperatures rising and the sun shining, students only have summer time on their mind. Naturally, wanting to feel good about their body image while wearing next to nothing on the beach is a concern to all. Once the stress of projects and finals pass, many students plan to focus on hitting up the gym and loosing their winter coat in time for their vacations with family and friends.

Melissa Barkley, a senior Communications Major, has already set healthy goals for herself to prepare for the summer months.

"I will add more protein into my diet to lose the excess fat and eat small meals constantly throughout the day," said Barkley. To make sure that she is maintaining her health, Barkley makes a daily effort to exercise and eat right.

"I will eat less fast food, drink more water, less sweets, and less alcohol," Barkley continues, "I consider myself to be an active and healthy person, and staying that way is definitely a priority."

Alamitos Bay, Long Beach CA
Photo Credit: longbeachstuff.blogspot

It is no wonder that the wonderful Southern California weather brings out a motivation in the students to not only work out, but to also eat healthier food options and stay away from calorie-dense products. Knowing how soon summer is approaching results in students finding ways to make working out more enjoyable. Some students even opt for attending gym classes or working out with friends, a boyfriend or girlfriend, and sometimes their peers.

"I definitely make changes to my routine right now, me and my boyfriend want to stay fit for when we go to the beach together and for our summer trips. we sacrifice some time seeing each other to work out at the gym," said Barkley.

With all the dieting and exercise being added to many daily routines, looks like Long Beach State students will be laying out at the bay in their itsy bitsy bikinis and looking good!