I want to preface this blog by saying that I love college. Like, I really love college. But unfortunately those late-night pizza runs and bags of chips before class have really affected my weight and my health in general. I have probably gained around 10 pounds this year, but that’s not exactly unusual for me. Like most of us, my weight fluctuates a lot! Throughout these past few weeks, though, I have made a serious attempt to get into shape and live a healthier lifestyle. I am certainly not a personal trainer or a nutritionist, but I am someone who has tried a million different methods to lose weight before finally realizing that diet and exercise is the only true way to slim down and keep the weight off. Since returning home, I have lost about 10 pounds and I am feeling great both mentally and physically but it has been far from easy. Hopefully by sharing some of my triumphs and struggles you can learn a thing or two from me (or at least laugh at my failed attempts).
I think the main reason I have been able to stay committed to my new fitness regime is that I aim for workouts that challenge me without doing something I find to be totally miserable. I used to start by running for an hour nonstop on day one; by day two I wouldn’t even want to get out of bed, much less go to the gym. What has been working for me is as combination of cardio and weight training. I run about two or three miles and lift weights for the remainder of the time. Despite what you may think, pure cardio is not the most efficient way to burn fat. Building muscle helps you burn calories even when you aren’t working out! And having muscles makes you look like a total badass (which you probably are!).
The most important tip I can give you, though, is to just keep at it! No matter how easy fitness models make it look, getting in shape is really, really hard but it’s also doable. Stay positive and keep your goals in mind.