I’ve been on this fitness journey of mine for almost two years now and I’m still not where I want to be. I’d like to lose a few more pounds and gain some muscle mass but for the ten eight months, I’ve been finding it hard to stay motivated. I hurt my knee back in February that pretty much prohibited me from all exercise until about April; I got into the habit of not working out and despite finding my will again, I still find it hard to stay motivated. Especially now that my junior year of college has started, it’s even harder to find time and get in a solid hour of exercise every single week day but somehow I’ve managed and I’d like to share what I do that keeps me going!
1.Netflix, Netflix and more Netflix
I owe Netflix a lot of credit; getting back on the treadmill, the elliptical and bike hasn’t been easy but Netflix was there to help me through. Over the summer, I watched both seasons of Marvel’s Daredevil as well as Marvel’s Jessica Jones. After that, I moved onto Marvel’s Avengers Assemble (a Disney XD cartoon; don’t judge me) and once I’m finished with that, I’m plan on watching Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. before the first season of Marvel’s Luke Cage comes out (my excitement for this series is unreal).
2. Books are a girl's best friend
Now that school has started, I’ve taken to reading the majority of my class material while on the treadmill. This material always varies; sometimes I’m on my tablet, reading an interlinear translation of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales for my Major Figures in British Literature class, to Young Adult novels for my Young Adult Literature class. I’ve had an easy schedule this week when it’s come to my school work so now I’m reading a book for my own pleasure, Grey by E.L. James. I get absorbed by each and every thing I read, so having a book in my hands really helps me to go through a workout that’s typically grueling and seems to be never-ending. If you’d like, hit me up for reading suggestions!
3. No better time to learn new music
I learned of the rapper G-Eazy a few months back, after his collaboration with Britney Spears was announced, but I didn’t pay much attention to him. After watching their performance at the MTV Video Music Awards this year, my interest was piqued and before I knew it, I’d spent about forty dollars downloading his music. I get distracted very easily so there was no better time for me to listen to and learn his music than when I’d go for a run on the treadmill.
4. Friends are okay, I guess
I’ve always been a loner when it comes to working out. Not many of my friends are interested and on the off chance I’ve wrangled them into a workout with me, there’s a slim possibility they’ll want to do it again. However, about once a week, my friend Rachel and I go to our local park and walk for an hour or two, usually with her dogs in tow. There’s no better motivation to get off your ass and be active than to meet up with a friend, catch up and gossip; it doesn’t even seem like exercise, just a casual evening with a good friend.
5. Do what you love
Admittedly, I’m not a fan of running, walking, biking, weight-lifting, or really anything. I’m lazy and I get bored easily. However, I’m at my best shape in the summertime and I owe that to my hours spent in my pool. Water is the main love of my life and I’m constantly in it by myself, or even with my dad. We take turns swimming laps across the pool for ten or fifteen minutes when we’re together, take a break and tread water, just to do it all over again. People really take for granted how amazing swimming is as an exercise; they say that while swimming, you use every single muscle in your body. I’m so dedicated to my water workouts that once my pool closes, I’m going to start going to my college’s swimming pool during the winter months.
Everyone has different things that motivate them and they all matter. I’ve known people who absolutely hate music when they workout and I’ve known people who only workout if they have a friend or two with them; to each their own, right? Do what you love and love what you do. Take your dogs for a walk, take your child and go for a run, like my friend Valerie does. Grab a book or flick on your favorite film; all that matters is you move.
