Whether you skimmed through a magazine with skinny models, people watched for an hour on the beach or just flat out want to be healthier, there is some motivation for you wanting to get in shape. Although this may be the case, only a small percent make it out with REAL results to show for it. The rest of us (myself ALWAYS included), seem to get sidetracked somewhere along the way. Join me as we explore why our poor college wallets give us a reason to look away from the organic section and why trying to get in shape is not the same thing as getting in shape.
1. Full on motivation.
You are so ready to go that you could basically run a half marathon right there and then. Just kidding, but you have some serious adrenaline pumping right when that motivation hits. Workouts start immediately!
2. Throwing away all the junk food from your pantry.
This is generally followed with hating yourself because you now have no food to eat, but you are still feeling empowered. Next stop is the grocery store, where the veggie and fruit section becomes a whole new world for you. In the past, this was just a quick stop - where they have all the avocados- on your trip to the grocery store, but this time, the veggie haven took up most of your time!
3. Buying all new workout apparel.
I will address this as the highlight of all the stages. Buying new workout gear may or may not be at least 50 percent of the reason that people decide that the want to start getting in shape. There are so many athletic wear and athleisure wear brands out there that it’s hard not to kill it on the fashion side of things!
4. Cheese is OK to eat, right? I’ll order a pizza.
Maybe you have roommates, or maybe you’re reminiscing on last Thursday’s dinner - the one you had BEFORE you decided to get in shape. Nonetheless, stage four is where we start wanting some of our old treats back. We start to think of how we can make our newly-stocked healthy pantry snacks taste as good as the unhealthy alternative. The answer is, yes, you can eat cheese or any type of dairy, but no, pizza doesn’t count. We’ve all been there.
5. Remorse workouts.
Now, you are at the point where you think to yourself, I’m not going to give up now. You started working out and eating well, and you even bought all new work out gear! A pizza is not going to get in the middle of you and success, so let the remorse workouts begin. The treadmill and elliptical become your best friend for a few days just so you can feel assured that the horrid decision of eating pizza is eliminated.
6. So sore! I’ll take the next few days off.
Then comes the opposite, workout remorse rather than remorse workouts. You are so sore that stairs become Mount Everest, and sitting down is difficult to do without making a squinty face. This is the moment when you pat yourself on the back for committing to getting into shape and reward yourself with a few days off.
7. Repeat ENTIRE cycle.
This few days off leads you down a dark hole that takes about two to three weeks to crawl out of. The cycle is then repeated, leaving you with rotting veggies, sore muscles and a constant splurge on now workout clothes. Kudos to those that somehow truck through the process of getting in shape. All I ask is that you too write an article for Odyssey explaining to all of us how you do it!
