By: Sofia Dajer
Starting college is all about getting used to a new dynamic that changes the routines of many incoming college students. Some will have a hard time having a balance between their fitness lifestyle and their academic one, while some will find it more manageable. However, most new students tend to have at least one semester off until they get used to the academic life to incorporate their exercise. This is one of the biggest mistakes that freshmen make, and it is essential from the beginning to have a balance between both lifestyles.
This phenomenon can be related to the scary “freshmen fifteen”, which is a belief that states that incoming college students will always gain approximately 15 lbs in their freshmen year. This can result as a cause of not having a balance between academic life a healthy one. Because of these, you may ask yourself, “But, how should I start moving?”
1.First, find a workout partner:
In my personal experience, I started going to the gym with just one friend, and with the passing of time, I made new ones. As many other people are, I do not like going to the gym by myself, for which it is important to get a gym partner. One thatÂ
motivates you to keep on going, and that shares similar goals for the workouts to be easier to share with.
2.Try different ways of exercising and see which one fits you best
There was a time when I did not want to go to the gym, and that is ok, it happens! Many can be stressed with the idea of it, or for other reasons. Still, that did not mean for me to stay still and stop exercising. I started going to a cycling place near my university with a group of friends, and it motivated me to keep on moving. Sharing this experience just demonstrates that many will start by going to the gym, jogging, cycling, pilates, or any activity that keeps you moving. But it does not mean that the activity you start with will fit you perfectly. However, it is important to never lo6se faith and give a try to any new fitness hobby.
In other words, it is important to never give up on finding one that is, as to how it is part of the process of keeping that balance, and of actually succeeding on it. These tips do not want to criticize those who haven’t been successful in keeping that balance, on the contrary, they seek to show the benefits and how effortless it is to succeed in it. In the end, having a good balance between your academic and fit life will improve your mental and physical health. As college can be a stressful experience for students, doing activities that will release serotonin and dopamine chemicals will improve your mood and perception of life. It will fight that stress and convert it into a new and improved lifestyle that you definitely won’t regret getting yourself into.