Hi there, readers!
Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Ashley, and will be your personal health coach for the next few weeks. Here’s why: I’m a lot like you. I’m your average Pitt student with a typical life schedule: I take five classes, I’m involved in extracurricular activities, I spend time with my friends, study hard, and play harder. Like you, I’m a busy person and know how difficult it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle in general, much less while away at college.
Now I know what you’re thinking: who is this girl and why does she think she can help me become healthier? It’s true, I’m no expert, but what I can offer you is my own experiences. I’ve recently become interested in bettering my own health, and have since embarked on my own journey towards becoming a healthier person, in all aspects. From changing my eating habits to fitting in my workouts to dealing with stress and everything in between, I’m going through it right now and I want to pass my newfound (and constantly growing) wisdom onto you.
Sure, a huge part of becoming healthier is modifying your eating and exercising habits, but an even bigger part is motivation. This was my first (and probably largest) obstacle. I’ve been overweight my whole life and trying to successfully change that has been nothing but an uphill battle. I’d tried cutting out meals (not a smart idea), dieting with packaged-and-delivered foods (everything tastes like cardboard), and numerous cancelled gym memberships later, nothing had changed. I was at a point in my life where every day was just another battle in a seemingly endless war. It was then that I realized what my problem was…I was doing it for the wrong reasons. So now I’m attacking weight loss to make myself happy, instead of doing it for others, and with my new focus I’ve found my best motivation.
Whatever your motivation, make sure it’s concrete. That cute boy in your math class who’s attention you desire or that adorable new top a few sizes down may work for short-term changes, but when it comes to real lifestyle changes a more substantial driving force is necessary. Adapting your lifestyle habits is a big commitment, so the more solid your motivation, the more likely you are to reach your goal. Try taking advice from the latest issue of Seventeen and make an inspiration board full of pictures, words, quotes, and anything else you can think of to keep yourself on track. Hang it somewhere you’ll see on a daily basis so it will remind you of how far you’ve come, how far you’re going to go, and what got you started in the first place.
Still having trouble? Sit down and make a list of your reasons behind wanting to change. If it isn’t for the right reasons, you’re just not ready yet and that’s okay because you’ll get there eventually. If you feel as though you are then get ready for a big life change!
This is just the beginning. This journey is going to be hard, but I can promise you it’ll be worth it.
Good luck, ladies!