During winter term, when we were still on campus, I developed a workout routine that I stayed consistent with for probably the first time in my life. I went to the gym on campus every single day after class, and I absolutely loved it. Working out became my favorite part of the day. I would utilize the women’s hours that the gym had set up, and so I always felt like I was in a really safe environment. As a sidenote, when we do get to return to campus I highly recommend using women’s workout hours if you’re trying to get yourself into a workout routine but don’t feel very comfortable at the gym yet. Getting myself into a routine resulted in my physical, and mental health being at an all-time high. But, we all know what happens next.
Spring rolled around and we got sent home from campus and with that, I lost my daily routine. I basically stopped working out all together. Being stuck at home, with no access to a gym was not conducive to me feeling motivated to workout. The only thing I had going for me was that I signed up for a CrossFit class during the Spring term. That class is the only reason I had pretty much any physical activity during the quarantine period. However, because we so suddenly transitioned to delivering classes remotely, that class did not actually have regular meeting times. We were just expected to do some amount of physical activity during the week and then report on it. This worked in some ways, but it did not hold me accountable.
I decided to give another P.E. class a try this term and this time around it does have regular, twice-weekly meetings where you are required to attend and have your camera on. When I read that in the syllabus, I was extremely intimidated. I was so nervous about having to show my face and body while working out. I felt like I might be judged, and that I would just be concerned about how I looked during the workouts. I actually almost dropped the class before it began because I was so scared. But, I gathered up some courage and told myself I needed to give it a shot and I am so glad that I did. Within five minutes of the first class I realized that nobody was watching me, and I wasn’t watching anybody else. Everyone is just concerned about how difficult the workout is and reminding themselves to keep breathing. The class is also in the morning before my other classes so I enter the rest of my day feeling clear-minded and refreshed. I can say for sure that I will be signing up for another P.E. class during the winter term. The benefits are numerous.
I would highly recommend signing up for a P.E. class this coming term if you are wanting to develop a workout routine and hold yourself to it. I promise that the awkwardness of having your camera on during a workout only lasts for the first couple minutes of the first class, and then you never think about it again!