As a habitual procrastinator and an avid lover of pizza, I’m not what you would call “physically fit.” A few weeks ago, I realized that I’m kind of at the point where I look in the mirror and cringe, so I thought, “hey, maybe it’s high time I do something about all of ~this~” (by ~this~ I mean my bod, by the way). So last week I packed my work bag (which is shockingly enough, the bag I bring to work, and usually just contains pretzel crumbs, gum wrappers, and pen caps), with exercise clothes and deodorant (you’re welcome, world), and decided to erase nineteen years of eating my feelings.
Now, let it be known that I am no gym newbie. I have been in a complicated relationship with exercise and foods that are green since I exited the womb. Up until this point, it’s been a hot minute, practically forever, since my last unsexy, sweaty affair with exercise. Surprisingly, it wasn’t as bad as I had been anticipating. I actually...enjoyed it…*audience gasps*
I ended up staying for about two hours. If you’re also not huge on working out, you’re probably thinking why, or you’re shouting some expletive in your head. I completely understand, I constantly wonder if there’s any other inexpensive alternative to get a body like Jennifer Lawrence. I know that trying to find the motivation to work out is pretty hard, especially if you're as lazy as I am. However, there are a few tricks I found that may be helpful in getting you to the gym and keeping you there.
1. Make A Killer Playlist
If your workout soundtrack doesn’t make you feel like you’re in a Marvel movie or like you’re maybe, at least halfway to becoming Beyoncé (as if that's even possible), then you’re doing it all wrong. My playlist is called Gym Jams, and it’s more unpredictable than my GPA. It ranges from Aly & AJ, to Red Hot Chili Peppers, to Lady Gaga, to Weezer, to The Cars, so yeah, it's pretty weird. It totally works though, because I’m too busy jamming to think about how my legs on fire.
2. Netflix It Up
Nothing makes me stay in one spot for hours on end more than Netflix. Just binge watch an entire season of “Parks and Rec” next time you hit the treadmill; you’ll burn more calories than you’d expect.
3. The Gym Has A.C.
This should be your mantra. Lure yourself to the gym by reminding yourself that it has air conditioning, and you'll never want to leave.
4. Aim For 30 Minutes
I know it doesn’t sound like a lot of time, and that’s exactly the point! Being active for at least 30 minutes is better than nothing; it may not help you achieve your weight loss goals as quickly as you’d like, but it will at least make you feel better and less stressed, which in my opinion is just as, if not more important.
5. Make Exercise Fun
You don’t have to go to the gym to workout. It’s summer, so go outside! Make the most of the nice weather by keeping it simple; go hiking, kayaking, or swimming with your friends, or throw a dance party, or bike to work. You can even turn drinking game into a workout game. Like, do 15 pushups every time Tina says “uhhhhhhhhhhh,” or something. The possibilities are practically endless.
