171228 - Guest Post - Janell - A Busy College Student's Perspective on Fitness
Each and every one of us at the gym is insanely busy with life. Between friends, family, significant others, pets, work, kids, etc., it can be hard to find the time, or even the motivation to get to the gym. As a college student in my senior year at Colorado State University, I definitely know what that is like, especially during finals week or a week when I am just swamped with deadlines. I am not perfect with my CrossFit attendance, my nutrition, and sometimes I have weeks where the gym is the last thing on my mind. However, there are some tips that I follow to keep myself accountable on my nutrition and attendance because I am sure we can all agree, a good workout really just makes you feel….better! I hope some of these tips can be helpful to my fellow college students and those who also have a hectic schedule.
1. Set a time: I personally go to CrossFit at 6 a.m. every morning throughout the week. This is before I have my 8 a.m. class and am on campus until 9 p.m. or 4 p.m. I do not enjoy working out in the evening, so I know, if I just set my alarm and wake up without thinking about it, I’ll get to the gym. If working out after a long day in the evening is what helps you the most, then go with that. Just find a time that always works for you and you hardly have other events that will interfere with this time. Using Zen Planner to schedule this time helps me stay accountable because the coaches see that I am planning on coming in, and so do other athletes.
2. Make friends at the gym: Another thing that gets my butt to the gym is the people. At Choice City, we have such a strong community that when I miss a couple days, I get text messages asking where I have been. This holds me accountable to my attendance, and reassures me that other members care about my fitness and me being there just as much as I do.
3. Meal prep: I know this is said to you all the time, but its true. After getting done with CrossFit at 7 a.m., I am in a rush to get back home, grab my bike, and get to my 8 a.m. class. Meal prep saves me on this on this short time frame. Before I leave for my class, I grab a container that has my breakfast in it, a container that has my lunch, and for the days that I am on campus until 9 p.m., I grab a container with dinner. By meal prepping, you will save so much time, have less stress, and it will allow you to focus on your day instead of deciding where to eat.
4. Go to the gym during finals and crappy weeks: I cannot stress this enough. As hard as those weeks are, getting a good workout in will allow you to take a mental (and physical) break from your day, as well as help you stay more focused afterwards. On days when I have a big exam, I ALWAYS make sure to get to the gym beforehand. It allows me to relax, let go of some nerves, and get into a positive and rewarding environment first thing in the morning
5. Cut yourself some slack: When you slip up on your nutrition or getting to the gym because you’re so busy, don’t focus and fixate on it. There are some days where you’re up really early, you have class all day, and then have work until late at night. On those days that you cannot possibly make it to the gym, let it go and try again tomorrow. Each day is a new day to get back after it, and stressing all day about how you can’t get to the gym, isn’t going to do you any good.
WOD - CFHQ Test 3
Tabata Squats (8 rounds, :20 work, :10 rest, score is lowest round)
4 Sets of Max Muscle Ups