My name is Anne Elish and I am the new Fram Fram to Fitness blogger. I am so excited about this new opportunity of writing for Her Campus, and am looking forward to learning new ways to become a healthier person in the process! I am currently a junior majoring in political science and theater. I am from Maine, although my family is in the process of moving to Colorado! Next semester I will be studying abroad at the University of Otago in New Zealand, but I will continue to write for Fram Fram to Fitness while there. I hope to incorporate various experiences I have both at St. Olaf and the University of Otago to spice up the blog and show there are so many ways you can be active. I realize that not everything is going to go as planned, there are going to be some set-backs, but it is important to just keep going!
First of all I must say, I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving break, filled with friends, family and probably a lot of food! I know I sure did, and when it came to the food part I was guilty of consuming a little more than I should have, which makes this whole idea of getting healthy and back into shape even more motivating! I have always been an avid Her Campus St. Olaf Fram Fram to Fitness reader, and have enjoyed every minute of reading Emily’s blog; to see her progression has been incredible! So, when the position for a new fitness blogger came along, I couldn’t resist. I thought, this is a great way to get back into shape (admittedly this semester I have had a few more chocolate chip cookies than I should have, and my workouts have become increasingly less strenuous…oh dear!) But hey, we can’t be too hard on ourselves, right? With rigorous academics and extracurricular activities it is important to give yourself a little pat on the back, even if you are like me and feel out of sync. Nevertheless, this is a perfect time to start over, get rejuvenated and get moving. The best way to do this? Set a goal.
This goal could be something small or large, it’s up to you! It could be going to the gym for a few times a week, hitting up that Zumba class, getting ready for a spring break trip, or maybe starting to train for that triathlon. For me, it is running a half marathon this summer. Although it seems far away, I figure it is better to start now than later. Running a half marathon is something I always say I will do, but unfortunately never actually do it. However, that is going to change, I am setting this goal right now, and I am ready to achieve it! Even just saying that to myself is exciting. But, in order to do this, I need your help – and visa versa! I can hopefully give you some tips that you can add to your workout or tips on healthy food choices. After all, isn’t it a little more reassuring to get some support from people doing the same thing around you? I know it is for me! Each week I will feature a new workout routine or tip from a fellow Ole and even people I meet in New Zealand. Whether it is a weight lifting or cycling routine, squats, sprints – you name it – I want to see what your favorite routines are!
So for this week, I encourage you to set a small “step,” which will enable you to reach that ultimate goal…think of it as a ladder, and you will ultimately reach the top. It may seem far right now, but you are going to get there. Mine is to run for at least 20 minutes during my workout routine and no desserts for this week. This is going to be hard for me, especially initially, but I am up for a challenge! So, until next week, fram fram, and cheers to a new healthier you!