As I head into sophomore year, I've been looking back on my freshman experience and figuring out what made me happy and what needed to change. My ever-growing Penn State "to-do" list will hopefully have a few check marks this year as I've started to make a plan for what clubs and organizations I'd like to join this year. My goals for this year are to be more outgoing and confident, work out more to be all around healthier, and just meet new people! Shortly after a close friend joined a club that encompasses all of these qualities, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and give it a try!

CHAARG stands for "Changing Health Attitudes and Actions to Recreate Girls." They are dedicated to liberating girls from the elliptical and showing them that fitness can and should be fun. They aim to ignite a passion in college-aged girls for health and fitness. They create different challenges for the members and plan every fitness class possible, from kickboxing to barre.

CHAARG recently started their #RunCHAARG challenge. This cardio challenge gives us the chance to log "bolts" for our campus community and in the end, the top 3 universities with the most bolts win. Normally, my idea of cardio is the 10 minutes of treadmill or elliptical before lifting weights. Even the treadmill is a push for me because I have never been a runner. Yet, this challenge made me want to get outdoors and run a mile to earn my first bolt. While my first mile may not have gone and smoothly as I hoped, (thank goodness for my awesome running partner to keep me going), this CHAARG challenge allowed myself to set a goal.

I hope by the end of this 5-week challenge I'll be able to *effortlessly* run a mile. I know many of you think running a mile seems like absolutely nothing, but for me, it's a big accomplishment and one I can't wait to conquer. CHAARG is great because it gives me the opportunity to set reasonable goals for myself. It allows me to try new workouts and fitness classes, and most importantly, meet new people.

I can't wait to get to State College and actually meet all my new CHAARG friends. I know our Mt. Nittany hike will be a great bonding experience. CHAARG is a lifestyle and one I am so excited to be a part of. Currently, 27 universities nationwide are #inCHAARG and you can be too! So far, my only complaint is that autocorrect doesn't understand I intend to spell charge "wrong!" It'll catch on soon enough just like I'll catch my goals!