It happens every year: you promise yourself that you’re going to eat right, exercise once a day and just be so healthy that when you get home everyone will be talking about how you are positively glowing with fitness. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
We get to school and suddenly there 1,000 things more important than this glow: homework, parties, tests, friends, sleep, you name it. The list goes on and on. As someone who considers themselves to be relatively fit, I was horrified at my lapse.
But fear not! The summer break is here, and for most this means a chance to catch up on everything we have been lacking, including sleep, vegetables and exercise. In order to help get myself (and hopefully you, lovely reader) on the right track, I sat down and made a list. Let’s face it: things seem much more bearable when they’re written down. Without further ado:
- Be committed. Nothing is going to get done if you just sit there saying “I’ll do it tomorrow.” Set goals for yourself. If this is something you want, then you have to make the decision to see it through.
- Meal plan. You do not have to sit down and plan every single meal for the next month. No one has time for that. Instead, look at what you eat and decide what foods you want to kick out and what you want to add. Maybe nix the brownies and add some peas. But remember, if you want long term, it has to be a way of life, not a diet. A piece of chocolate once in a while is okay. A bowl of ice cream every night is not.
- EXERCISE. This cannot be stressed enough. If you want to be fit and not just skinny, you need to exercise. This includes cardio AND toning. The cardio will help with fat loss and endurance. Toning will make your muscles stronger. I know that personally I would rather do 100 sit-ups than run a mile. Similarly, I would rather do a kickboxing class than 10 pushups. But if you want to well-rounded, you need it all.
- Have fun! If you love what you are doing, you are less likely to quit. My sister bought a Zumba DVD and convinced me to join her. Not only are we exercising, but we cannot stop laughing at how we cannot dance! Sometimes, I use a calendar on a website called Blogilates. It gives me all the workouts and the trainer is entertaining. You can also join a sport. I do tae kwon do, and it gives me a support system: there are people who I enjoy being with and who want to help me.
These are tips for getting started this summer on your journey to fitness. Customize it for you! Everyone has a different schedule or plan. Do what works for you. Most importantly, don’t give up. Getting started is hard, but keep in mind your goal and it won’t be so bad. Remember, you are not alone!
