Every Sunday night, as I recuperate from my weekend by sitting on my couch doing homework and eating snacks, I tell myself the same thing over and over again: starting tomorrow I am going to the gym every day this week, and this time I’m really going to stick with it. So Monday comes and goes, along with Tuesday and Wednesday, and I just can’t motivate myself to put down the books or turn off the TV and go exercise instead. I finally (and reluctantly) hit the gym on Thursday, but if there is one thing that college students are lacking in their lives, it’s free time, and if there is one skill I’m short of, it’s managing my free time productively, so I don’t work out for as long as I should.
I recently read an article in Health magazine about staying committed to a work out plan, and I’ve found the brilliant Jillian Michael’s tips worth sharing after successfully (so far) maintaining my dedication to the gym for the past few weeks.
Jillian’s first recommendation is to make an appointment to go to the gym with a friend so that you won’t flake out. I’ve realized that I’d much rather work out with friends than go alone and that I’m always more motivated when I’m there with other people I know. Another option to force yourself to get there is to wear workout clothes to class. I know it’s easier said than done, but on days when I wear gym clothes to class, I guilt myself into going to the AFC since I’m already on Grounds and am fully dressed to work out. Therefore, I have no excuse not to go.
Her next piece of advice is to make a workout playlist on your iPod before heading to the gym, so that you don’t have to worry about constantly shuffling through your music looking for the right song as you’re working out. I’ve noticed that having the right songs to pump me up as I work out dramatically changes my attitude and gives me the energy I need to keep going.
Jillian’s final suggestion is to “find your why.” Identifying and defining why I want to stay motivated to my work out plan has given me the connection to my goals that I so badly needed. I want to live a long, active and healthy life, and I know that sitting on the couch watching The Hills reruns is not going to help make that happen. If I want to look like LC and Kristin, I have got to hit the gym.