Temptation lurks around every corner in college…and so do calories. Between midnight McDonald’s, piles of pizza, and all the sodas you drink sitting in your dorm or apartment, those adorable plaid lounge pants are starting to squeeze in all the wrong places. Starving yourself is never in style. Instead, kick these five excuses to the curb and jog over to the gym!
Excuses, excuses, excuses:
1. “I don’t know how to use the equipment.”
This is college, ladies. We know darn well how to get help by this point. If you find asking an employee too intimidating, go with a friend who knows her way around. If you’re feeling bold, ask that cute guy in your night class if he could show you a workout plan.
2. “I’m too embarrassed by my body and ability level.”
Two words: yoga pants. Not only are they stylish, they cover a little more than workout shorts. Ignore the temptation to wear them to class—if you set aside “workout clothes” and wear them each time, it helps you put on your game face. Furthermore, ability doesn’t matter. You aren’t competing with anyone; you can settle into a machine and work at your own pace.
3. “It’s awkward.”
Much like investing in yoga pants, spending a few bucks on an armband for your iPod will help you escape into your own world. Remember, others are at the gym for the same reasons you’re sweating over the elliptical. Try not to think of sweating as awkward or unbecoming—view it as a sign of victory and wear your flushed cheeks proudly.
4. “I never see any results.”
Just as with the research paper you have due next week, you will not achieve perfection overnight. That “ideal bod” of your favorite celebrity has personal trainers, Photoshop, and plenty of free time going into its upkeep. Make manageable goals—then reach them! Start with goals like, “I want to lose five pounds before Valentine’s Day,” or, “I don’t want my arms to jiggle so much by the end of this semester.” The more small goals you make, the more often you can celebrate success and keep yourself motivated.
5. “I don’t have time.”
The great thing about exercise is you do not need to be in the gym to do it. If the gym is closed when you are available or is too far away for your comfort, work out at home. Buy a yoga DVD, look up office exercises on YouTube, or turn your music up all the way and dance around your desk. Bargain with yourself: if you want to go out with the girls on Friday night and eat Sweet Frog, tell yourself it will cost you forty crunches before you go out. The burn in your core will remind you to watch your portion size.
As you can see, these five examples of excuses are just that—excuses. Confronting yourself about the real reasons you avoid the gym will help you overcome your reluctance. That way, you can have your cake and eat it too!