Going to the gym and staying in shape while you're living at school seems ideal. It may seem like an easy task to get yourself to the gym, but on a college campus, that's easier said than done.
Netflix and your bed sound so much more appealing.
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On the days when you're so tired, who wants to go to the gym? Especially when you can be wrapped up in a blanket binge watching your favorite show. But then you realize that four episodes is enough and you should do something with your day.
Your busy schedule.
Some days, you really want to go to the gym. Whether you've been on a great streak of going and want to keep it or you're just feeling like going for a run, the gym is on your mind. But then you realize. You have a paper that you wanted to finish before lunch, then you have class all afternoon, followed by dinner, a meeting, and rehearsal. You won't make it back to your room today until at least 10 pm. By that point, let's face it, you won't be making it to the gym today.
The walk there.
The walk to the gym is one of the hardest obstacles there is to conquer. I'm about to go burn off calories from exercising, I don't need the extra steps. And it makes for a very miserable few minutes if its raining or cold on your way there.
The minimal amount of machines and the abundance of people.
College gyms can only be so big; there isn't always enough space to go around. And it always happens that your perfect gym time is everyone else's perfect gym time. There's no space open on the mats, not one treadmill is available, and all the weights are being used. Looks like that walk to the gym was the only workout you'll be getting today!
Feeling like everyone is watching you.
With so many people flooding the gym, more often than not it feels like someone is always watching you. Sometimes its nice to just do your own thing and not have to worry about other people's opinions. But when the entire school population is at the gym waiting for the machine you're on, it feels like you are being watched like a hawk.
The walk back.
As if your pre-gym walk wasn't bad enough, you now have to do it again on the way back. This one is much more difficult, because at this point your legs feel like they can't take one more step and the idea of walking all the way back to your dorm is daunting.
Being sore for the rest of the day.
Doing a leg workout sounds ideal, but then you realize you live on the third floor of your building. The amount of times you have to go up and down those stairs creates a whole new workout for you. It takes you twice as long to go up and down them because your body can't move anymore.
Eating back all the calories you just burned off the second you arrive back in your dorm.
We all go to the gym for different reasons, but I think the most obvious one is to stay in shape. Burn off some stress while burning calories in the process. One of the hardest things about getting back from the gym is trying with all your might not to eat those cookies in your room. You tell yourself you don't need that ice cream after dinner, that it will defeat the purpose of the workout you just completed. But those cookies are just too tempting and before you know it you're back to square one. Oh well, better luck tomorrow!
