Depending on the type of person you are, you might not be a morning person or a breakfast person. You may not even care about going to the gym, dieting, or the newest workout tips and trends out there. However, you still clicked on this article, so I will tell you about my personal experience “getting fit.”
Background
I was never big on what was new or trending within the Health & Wellness side of things. My top priority was going to school, making good grades, and getting into college. However, as I entered my college career, I began thinking more about my mental and physical health and whether I was in good health or not. This curiosity led me to researching more about my health as well as taking advantage of the college services around me.
College Background
For those who may not know, many colleges and universities provide student access to their gyms or fitness centers when you are enrolled as a student. As a Dual Enrollment student, I did not visit my first college enough to take advantage of those services. However, while attending my first on-campus college experience, I took advantage of their “Fitness Center” (a gym with machine weights, free weights, and cardio equipment) as well as their “functional fitness facility” (a more open gym concentrated on working the muscles much like your daily life or sport life would do).
My Workout Experiences
As I stated earlier, I was more of a bookworm growing up focused on school instead of sports. I was nowhere near being athletically fit by any means; I could not even jog half of a track lap nor get to ten of anything. I was, and still am, a socially awkward person that prefers to do things alone or with close friends. For me, internet research and self experimenting became my health and fitness resources.
Lake Lap Cardio At my first college, I began with simple cardio workouts, which was mostly just walking the path around the lake every weekend morning. As time progressed, I began splitting parts of my lap into walking and jogging. This process was by no means quick. Near the beginning of my Fall semester, I could barely jog a fourth of the lake path (the total being roughly three-tenths of a mile). As the Fall semester was ending, I had jogged my way up to going from half to three-fourths of the lake. The Spring semester abruptly ended due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, and I had not gotten much farther from this pace. I continued my cardio at home as best as I could, and by the summer, I was able to jog the entire lake lap. It took almost an entire year of consistent weekend cardio for me to build up enough stamina to make it one full lake lap.
Machine Weight, Free Weight, and Body Weight Workouts During my first Fall semester, I had some help from a friend working out at the “functional fitness facility.” We tried using the partner system for our workouts; however, that routine fell through rather quickly. Coming back in my second Fall semester, I went to the “Fitness Center” with a group of friends. We split into partners for our arm and leg workouts, and then we came back as a group to do core workouts. While it went well for about half of the semester, the reality of midterms took a toll on our workout sessions to the point that it seemed too difficult to get back into the routine. Eventually that same Fall semester, I got a smaller group together to do body weight workouts using an app that lasted through the rest of the semester. During these semesters, I learned a lot about what workouts I prefer, when is the best time for me to workout, and what time feels best for me.
Spring Semester at VSU Currently, I have created a new workout routine that has worked incredibly well for about a month now. Every Tuesday and Thursday, I walk to the Campus Recreation Center to do body weight workouts using a workout app. The workouts are rather short and simple, but they have proven to be very effective for me and my body. Afterwards, I walk back to my room to shower and eat breakfast. This routine has left me feeling better throughout the day, and I have even started seeing small differences in my body. Eventually, when I fix my sleeping schedule, I will try going out every morning for a simple cardio walk around campus to build my stamina up again. Also, whenever I find a good day and time for it, I will get back into a yoga routine to stretch my muscles and refresh for the next week.
What Can You Take From this?
Again, you may not be interested in figuring out a workout routine or starting any diet, that is completely okay. For those who may want to, I hope this article helps you to get started no matter where you may be starting from! Do not feel like you cannot workout just because you have no prior experience or no partner or group to workout with! There are fitness trainers out there willing to help you learn as well as Youtube videos to help you understand certain equipment before you even set foot in a gym, even the weight machines have instructions and pictures on them to help you out. The most important thing to remember is that you are working on it, you are in the process of getting there, and you are doing your best! And I promise, no one is actually looking at you in a bad way. Figure out what works best for you and keep it going!
Interested in My Routine?
I use the workout app: Workout for Women (a pink square with a big white “W”)
Tuesdays
- Morning Stretch (Beginner – 5 minutes)
- 4M Arms (Beginner – 4 minutes)
- 7M Arms (Beginner – 7 minutes)
- Perfect Back (Beginner – 10 minutes)
- Starter Abs (Beginner – 8 minutes)
Thursdays
- Morning Stretch (Beginner – 5 minutes)
- 7M Legs (Beginner – 7 minutes)
- Hot Legs (Beginner – 8 minutes)
- Perfect Legs (Beginner – 7 minutes)
- Core Trainer (Beginner – 12 minutes)
You Never Mentioned Any Diet?
Personally, I do not consider my eating habits any special diet. I have cut out large amounts of soda for many years now (I will guesstimate 8 years), and I typically only drink small amounts of soda at parties (a can or two). I mostly drink water throughout the day, with the occasional fruit flavored juices and waters when my taste buds get picky; however, I do drink milk and orange juice more frequently when eating breakfast. More recently, I have been cutting back on the amount of sweets I eat and shakes I drink. I have been training my mind and body to think of sweets and shakes as rewards for keeping up with my workout routine and school work. Not only does this keep me from intaking too much sugar, but I feel more accomplished with my delicious reward. Lastly, probably the most commonly heard, I try to eat all of the food groups in moderate amounts. While this is harder when your options are more limited, your body really does react differently to the foods you eat.
You Made It This Far?
Thanks for reading! I wish you the best of luck in whatever path you decide to pursue! Stay safe out there!
