Simple tips for a healthier new year

As January comes to a close, many students’ new years resolutions are already starting to crumble.

While it may have been easy to indulge in homemade meals and spend winter break on the couch, it’s time to pencil in workout sessions and avoid dining hall cookies now that classes are resuming. Here are some tips on sticking to fitness and health goals without spending boring hours at the gym or the mindlessly munching on raw veggies.

Getting into shape

- If you are looking to spice up your fitness routine, look no further than the Greenwich Village area for cheap options. A trip to Yoga to the People on St. Marks is both convenient and affordable, as workouts are donation-based. While the classes may be packed, the studio holds one-hour power sessions every day of the week, making a workout easy to fit into any busy schedule.

- For a more rigorous workout, enroll in a pilates class at Core Pilates on University Place. This celebrity-approved, core-focused fitness regimen is bound to help you build a six-pack long before summer. While classes are normally up to $50 each, there are special $10 classes taught by apprentice teachers throughout the week.

- Peridance, a dance studio on 13th Street between Third and Fourth avenues, is a creative get-fit option that offers dance classes of all styles for $16 each. From hip hop to ballet, these hour and a half to two hour sweat sessions are the perfect way to tone up while picking up some fun new moves.

- Download or sign up for popular coupon websites like Living Social and Groupon to find great deals on classes. A new $20 for 20 classes deal at Just Keep Moving offers customers a range of fitness routines from a kickboxing bootcamp to a disco-themed dance party.

Eating Well

- Just beyond Washington Square, there are plenty of cheap, healthy options for students who want to maintain balanced diets. The Union Square Greenmarket is a favorite for fresh and local produce. The market, which has outdoor stands at the north end of Union Square, is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. It offers an array of seasonal fruits and veggies, artisanal breads, meat and dairy products.

- For a quick way to improve your diet, check out vegetarian, vegan and organic kitchens near campus. The newly opened Hu Kitchen on 13th Street and Fifth Avenue is a restaurant with a pre-industrial diet in mind. The healthy cafe has a trendy, club-like trendy, and promises delicious, nutrient-packed food. From organic meatloaf with two sides for $9 to an array of healthful desserts ranging from $1 to $5, students can grab a nutritious meal without breaking the bank.

A version of this article appeared in the Jan. 28 print edition. Nicole Schreiber-Shearer is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.