Happy Friday, friends! Welcome back to The SK Way. It is crazy to think that my first day of senior year starts this Monday – college has flown by! Summer is a great time to relax and take things day-by-day without too much planning. By the time school rolls around, however, I am always looking to add a bit more structure into my schedule. One of my favorite ways to do this is to create a sustainable, consistent workout routine.
I played field hockey all four years of high school so getting back into the swing of things was pretty easy then, as all of our pre-season practices and scrimmages began in mid-August. Now that I am in college and no longer playing sports, staying in shape happens on my own time. It can be difficult to hold yourself accountable and stay consistent when starting something new, so if you are in the same boat and wanting to implement some new habits this year, I hope the following tips will help! Let’s get started:
1. Try Different Things to Gauge Your Interests:
Working out, like many other things, means something different for everyone. Some people love cardio or just a causal walk or bike ride, while others enjoy high intensity interval workouts and strength training. If you are not sure what your likes and dislikes are when it comes to exercise, I highly recommend trying different types of workouts. When you find a form of exercise that you really enjoy, it will feel less like a chore and more like something fun to do!
2. Don’t Wait Until You “Feel Motivated”
I am guilty of this one myself – the expectation that you will feel ready and motivated to workout all the time is unrealistic. Even professional athletes have days where they are not in the mood to go to practice or do their workouts for the day! One of the biggest components of forming a habit is consistency – the more often you do something, the more likely it is to become a part of your routine. Believe me, there are some days that I am really not up for a run, but once I go, I always feel so much more energized. As my sister once told me, “the only workout you’ll regret is the one you never do”. Even if it is not your best workout of all time, the most important thing is that you got moving!
Now, this is not to say that you should force yourself to workout if you really do not want to. It is so important to listen to your body and what you need. If you are feeling like you need a rest day, take it! As important as it is to stay active, you never want to over-do it and hurt yourself.
3. Find a Schedule That Works for You
No matter what kind of exercise you prefer, find the time of day that works best for you! Some people, like myself, prefer to workout in the morning to start their day off feeling energized and ready to be productive. Others like to take a break during the day, and some people may like to workout in the evening. There is no right or wrong answer – it’s whatever you prefer!
Once you’ve made that decision, it is important to schedule that time for yourself. With school just around the corner, it can be so tempting to say there is not enough time, or there is too much work to do. The easiest solution is to make time! One thing I have learned over the years is that you are completely in charge of your day. Aside from classes and other responsibilities or obligations, you have full control over what you do in your free time! If there is an extra half hour in your schedule that day, take a quick bike ride or go for a walk! Scheduling that time helps to hold yourself accountable and integrates exercise as a part of your daily routine.
I hope you enjoyed these tips and found them to be helpful! With many schools transitioning to distance learning this fall, many hours of the day will be spent sitting at the computer. By giving yourself thirty minutes to an hour every day or every couple of days, you can give your brain a break form the screen! I guarantee that you’ll feel more productive and motivated to conquer your day ๐
Thank you so much for reading!
