Columbia University Health Services

Designing your own exercise program means choosing activities that you enjoy. The following links provide information on strategies to consider when developing your exercise program.

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

Ready to start a fitness program? Take these 5 steps

Exercise for the physically challenged (Go Ask Alice!)

Gym jitters — I am intimidated by working out at health clubs (Go Ask Alice!)

Is soreness a good indicator of a good workout? (Go Ask Alice!)

Exercise helps to increase overall quality of life—whether it's academic performance, energy levels, mood, or immune function. The following links provide information on how to use exercise to enhance your quality of life and optimize your performance.

Exercise Improves Learning and Memory

Exercise eases symptoms of anxiety and depression

Best time of day to exercise? (Go Ask Alice!)

Motivation is unique to each individual and learning how to stay motivated is essential to maintaining an exercise program. The following links provide information on exercise motivation.

Keeping fit during the holidays

Getting Started

The ten secrets of exercise motivation

Taking Fitness Personally

Exercise motivation...for stress reduction (Go Ask Alice!)

Exercise is not only good for the body, but is also essential to a vital mind. The following links offer information on the connection between your mind and body, and how exercise increases self-awareness.

Runner's World Mind & Body

Is it better to eat before or after exercise? (Go Ask Alice!)

Health benefits of yoga (Go Ask Alice!)

Exercise is one of the best ways to effectively manage stress. The following links provide information on the many ways exercise is a useful stress management strategy.

Effects of physical exercise on anxiety, depression, and sensitivity to stress

Stress at the start of school (Go Ask Alice!)

Exercise motivation...for stress reduction (Go Ask Alice!)

Research continues to provide proof of ways exercise can influence your immune system. The following links offer information on the relationship between exercise and immunity.

Exercise, Immunity, and Susceptibility to Infection

Does Exercise Alter Immune Function and Respiratory Infections?

Exercise and Immunity

Loss of periods from intense workouts? (Go Ask Alice!)

Regular exercise is crucial to maintaining energy throughout the day. The following links provide information on exercise, your energy cycle, and the ways exercise positively influences your energy level.

A Guide to Physical Activity (National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NHIBI)

Energy boosters (Go Ask Alice!)

Exercise strengthens your bones, muscles, heart, mind, and soul. Exercise helps you become a stronger person. The following links offer information on how to increase your strength through exercise.

Weight Training: improve your muscular fitness

Growing Stronger — Strength Training for Older Adults

Exercise — Fitness - American Heart Association

Weight Training: do I need to change my workout to see results? (Go Ask Alice!)

Exercise triggers positive changes in body composition, mood, energy, and overall well-being. The following links provide information on how exercise—of all levels and kinds—is a means to a positive end.

How much exercise do you need to get the 'feel good' factor?

Why exercise?

Physical Activity and Weight Control (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIDDK)

I need an effective, short-term weight loss and toning plan (Go Ask Alice!)

Regular exercise is a useful strategy to increasing your quality of sleep. The following links provide information about how exercise allows for a deeper and more relaxed sleep.

Taking An Inventory of Your Sleep Habits
Trouble sleeping? A little exercise might help

Does exercise truly enhance sleep?

Sleep Improvement Tips [Classic Alice!] (Go Ask Alice!)