Trying to stay fit in college can be a stressful experience. Balancing classes and assignments with clubs, friends and other extracurricular can be challenging, and sometimes adding gym time to your schedule seems hard. More than that, many young people put a lot of pressure on themselves when it comes to staying fit and healthy.
Don’t get me wrong; staying healthy is an excellent life choice and one with lifelong benefits! However, there CAN be such a thing as putting unnecessary pressure on yourself and going too far in your endeavors to stay “fit.”
Here are some of my suggestions and things to keep in mind as you work toward your health and fitness goals:
1. Know what your fitness goals are.
It’s easy to say you want to get fit. Many start out by saying “I want to lose weight,” or “I want to gain muscle.” But what does that mean? Lose how much? Gain muscle where? Furthermore, those who want to do these things often have no idea where to start. First, you need to set out your specific goals, such as body areas you want to target. For example, instead of simply saying you want to lose weight, decide “I want to tighten up my core and thighs.” Next, determine how to go about achieving these goals. The SRSC offers consultations with personal trainers can conduct a fitness assessment or a body composition test, which can help you figure out where and what to improve. This will give you a solid basis for starting out with tangible goals!
2. Create a workout plan to fit your needs.
Now that you know what your goals are, you have to create and stick to a workout plan that will help you reach them. However, this is easier said than done. Unless you’re a fitness expert, it’s hard to determine which exercises, machines or classes are going to be the most beneficial. Moreover, if you’re unfamiliar with the equipment or are new to workouts and training regimens altogether, going to the gym can seem more intimidating than it’s worth. Again, the SRSC is a great resource! Try purchasing a few sessions with a personal trainer to create your own personalized workout plan tailored to your specific needs! Or try a few of the group exercise classes, and when you find one or two that seem fun or seem to be working for you, stick with them!
3. Hold yourself accountable!
You are the only one who can do this for yourself! No one else’s fitness goals are going to be identical to yours; therefore, you need to push yourself to keep up with your own every day. However, it’s a great idea to get others to help you! Find weekly workout buddies and commit to certain workout schedules every week. That way, you have an obligation to need to go to the gym (even if sometimes you don’t want to)! Organizations on campus like CHAARG are a great way for you to meet others who value fitness, and are a great way to find friends and workout buddies that will keep you motivated!
4. Eat healthy, but don't feel like you are depriving yourself.
“Eating healthy” does not mean “eating less,” nor does it mean substituting every meal with some health shake or a tiny salad. Feel free to eat…but in moderation. Maybe instead of getting pizza or nachos for dinner, try a chicken stir fry with some vegetables, or maybe get roast beef and some fruit. However, though eating healthier options is obviously preferred, it won’t hurt you to indulge every once in a while (AKA, you don’t have to feel guilty if you want a scoop or two of ice cream after dinner once a week). Just make sure you are burning more calories a day than you are taking in. Try keeping a food journal and record what you eat on a daily basis; there are several apps available for smartphones that can help with this!
5. Remember, it's not about the numbers on the scale, but how you feel.
Yes, weighing yourself can be a good quantitative indicator of your progress…but it’s not the end all be all of fitness and health! If you are staying committed to your goals and making an effort to achieve them, you will see results, even if they are gradual. Being fit and healthy is about how YOU feel about YOUR body! If you look in the mirror and you see improvement, if you are satisfied with your body and how you are progressing, then the numbers on the scale make little difference.
