It’s the same story for everyone. With the onset of the new year, you solemnly declared that from this semester onward, you’d start going to the gym and stay active. But three weeks in, you’re swamped with deadlines piling over one another, club activities, events and so much more. Before you know it, the semester’s gone by and you haven’t been to the RSF since week one. What if I told you that you could’ve achieved your goal without going to the gym at all? Here are five things you can do to stay fit and forget the gym.

Be late to class

Are you one of those people who plans exactly when you need to depart from your class in order to reach your next one on time? Well, if you want to get some exercise without going to the gym, say goodbye to punctuality. If your class is 10 minutes away, start when there’s only five minutes left — this way, you’ll be forced to run all the way to make it. There’s nothing better than running across campus and dodging the hundreds of students ambling along. At least you know you’re getting the exercise!

Pack heavy

You read that right! Gone are the days of packing light and taking only the essentials. If you want the perks of exercising without putting in any real effort, it’s time to start filling your backpack with all the books and stationery you’re ever going to need. You’re not only toning your muscles, but also now you can study anytime, anywhere with all your supplies handy!

Eat at Foothill dining commons

Vow to have your meals at Foothill for the rest of the semester. I know it’s a lofty promise, but you get the best of both worlds — perfectly toned lower body muscles after climbing all the way up, and amazing food as the reward for your hard work. Eating at Foothill might sound like the toughest suggestion yet, but you can do it! The light (food) at the end of the tunnel (stairs) is definitely worth it. No pain, no gain.

Take the bus, or don’t?

The Transit app tells you that your bus is five minutes away. Google Maps, on the other hand, is certain that your bus will arrive in 12 minutes. You don’t know which to trust but decide to wait at the bus stop anyway. After an eternity, you finally get on your bus 20 minutes later — the time it’d have taken you to reach your destination had you just walked. Moral of the story: just walk to wherever you need to be!

Race the elevator

I know, I know, you’re tired after the end of a long day and all you want to do is take the elevator to your floor when you get back to your dorm/apartment. But remember the reason you clicked on this article in the first place and go the extra mile by taking the stairs.

There you have it! Now, you can stop fretting about never having any time to go to the gym because of your rigorous course load. Bring the exercise routine to campus, so you never have to walk through the doors of the RSF again.