Emily Pettingill

We’ve all been there – that moment when you realize that, damn, you’re out of shape. You’re trying to catch your breath as you walk (slowly) up the stairs of Fox, your jeans that once had wiggle room are now almost too tight… In fact, last year I was in this boat. I spent my entire summer dedicated to getting back into shape, and now that I have I honestly wish I could do last year all over again. Even if you’re a freshman (ohhh, the Freshmen 15 is inevitable!) let me tell you: you’re going to regret every last drunk munchy that touches your lips when Spring Term rolls around and all the sophomore girls are out on the quad wearing crop tops and you can barely fit into your shorts from last spring. So do yourself a favor: try to get back in shape now, before winter comes and you’re stuck inside with only the overcrowded gym to help you out.
            Getting back into shape is a miserable experience if you’re the way I was last year. First off, I was afraid of the gym. Don’t laugh – the gym can be a scary place! You’ve got all those soccer and track girls who seem like they’ve been on the treadmill for over an hour and they’re really in shape; all the football guys walking around making you feel inferior; it really seems like everybody there is checking you out. No offense, but they’re not In fact, they probably don’t even notice you (really, no offense). People who go to the gym, are at the gym for themselves, not to stand around and talk about you and certainly not to pick up girls/guys! That’s what frats are for on the weekends. If you’re really too afraid to go to the gym, bring a friend! But don’t let the “all my friends are busy right now” excuse turn you off from going at all.