If you asked a room full of college-aged girls (or really anyone for that matter) what they wish they could find time for in their busy days, the most common response would be some variation of being healthier. This urge is rampant amongst a lot of us on campuses after giving into tendencies of eating yummy but fatty food and lazing around binge-watching our new favorite TV show.
Since few people really want to give up their favorite junk food, the best solution is the gym. I mean, why not? The gym on campus is covered by tuition, easily accessible, and all your friends have access so you have more than a few potential workout buddies. So, then why is it so hard to stick to your new gym regiment?
The biggest issue that I see so many of my friends on campus face when starting their new gym dedication is unrealistic expectations. Let’s be real, how many people do you know that, spontaneously out of the blue, managed to start getting up early every day of the week for an intense cardio workout? Manage to actually think of a few? Now, how many of those people managed to keep this up past two weeks? Exactly.
For most of us, the time obligation is impossible to keep up with in the long term. Realistically, when you first begin your trip on the path to fabulous fitness, you should work out 3 to 4 times per week. Don’t push yourself to the limit and then quickly burn out, as so many do every year. A majority will ditch their dedications early as a result of trying to push their bodies to the standards of someone who’s been on a routine for years. Not to say that can’t be you one day, but in order to reach that point, you have to start with a foundation. Your body, if not used to frequent exercising, needs recovery time. Plus, you probably could use some of your free time for friends and schoolwork. I mean honestly, spending all your free time at the gym is not a habit that you can expect to keep going every day, every week for the semester.
Your gym dedication needs management in your day-to-day scheduling, in addition to your weekly planning. Ideally, you start school with it all planned out. You decide to go three days a week and even have dedicated time slots placed perfectly between your classes for this new healthy habit. What else could improve your chance for success? First and foremost, I would highly recommend giving yourself a preparation routine with a trigger that sets your mind towards the idea of wanting to get moving. Confused by what exactly this entails? Let me explain.
Everyone has a morning routine, even if it’s just a frantic rush to prepare after waking up at 7:50am for an 8am. That being said, you need the same thing for your workouts. Whether it’s cleaning off a majority of your makeup to prevent clogged pores from the sweat that will ensure, or changing into gym-dedicated clothing, anything that gets you moving works. Also note that in the last line I said “gym-dedicated” clothing. These are not a pair of sweats you frequently nap in, since your subconscious has already associate the pants with sleep time. Keep a few pieces purely dedicated for your gym routine. Not only does this keep you from laying down for a quick nap that very well could replace your gym time, but it also saves you time preparing since you won’t be worrying about what to wear. In addition, having a cute outfit on hand that you feel comfortable in will give you positive feedback every time you change.
When it comes down to it, feedback is what either makes or breaks your new dedication. I personally believe that others’ opinions shouldn’t have a huge impact. They count for jack because it’s your new routine and they can kiss your healthy butt if they have anything negative to say about it. If they are giving you positive encouragement, great!
However, they still aren’t the ones about to sweat a pound off on the treadmill. Truly, it’s the psychological feedback loop that you should be wary about. If you are not too fond of working out – for whatever reason – the action of working out may come to have a negative connotation. Working out is not the most comfortable thing; you sweat, get out of breath, and, if you’re as pale and out of shape as me, take on the hue of a ripe tomato. The best solution I have discovered personally to overcoming these less appealing aspects of working out is to treat yo self aka get positive feedback! Whether that’s allotting work free Internet time after each workout (perhaps reading a Her Campus article?) or allowing yourself to have a slightly unhealthy treat, treating yourself gives you something to look forward to. If you follow this system of rewards right after you work out, your brain will come to associate the gym with things you enjoy. Long-term goals to strive for are the most common motivators but it will be these day-to-day habits that work in the long run.
Ultimately, it comes down to you and your level of enthusiasm for your gym dedication. Whether you use the tips I suggested or just look at inspirational pictures online to get your drive going, keep strong because you can do it!