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Lose the Freshman 15: Relieving stress at the gym

After a week of studying, I needed to relieve some stress before my final. 

My test wasn’t until 3 p.m., but I couldn’t study anymore. It was time to sweat off some stress at the gym. 

For a hour and half, I didn’t think about formulas or memorizing exceptions to rules. I just focused on my workout, and it was a good one. 

I mixed up my ab routine, and I can already feel my stomach getting sore from the workout. I also increased the length of my cardio routine to burn extra calories. 

I can honestly say exercise was the best thing I could do before my final. I came home, took a shower and felt relaxed before heading to campus for my final. 

I took my exam with confidence and left feeling like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. I came home, sat on the couch and snacked on popcorn. But as I ate my popcorn, I realized summer has officially started, which means it is time to develop a new exercise routine. 

I will have a full-time job, and my mornings will no longer be available for exercising. I’m a big fan of getting my workout done in the morning, but I don’t know if I have the motivation to wake up at 6 a.m. to get a workout finished. 

Here is what I have decided: I’m going to try it. 

I know it won’t be easy, but it also won’t be easy exercising at 5 p.m. when I’m exhausted from a long day. 

I guess it will be a lot of trial and error to see what works best for me. 

How will your workout schedule change this summer?

I am a junior journalism student at the University of Florida. I am very passionate about health and fitness and hope to be a health writer or editor one day. Currently, I intern for Giggle, which is a family and parenting magazine that serves the Gainesville community. Outside of journalism I enjoy running, playing and coaching soccer, and socializing with my friends.