Exercise is a truly great thing. It is great for your physical body and health as well as your mental health. A good workout can be the cure to almost anything. But this of all things can be challenging in the summer, especially if you are anything like me and are a lazy worker outer. Being in college doesn’t make this easy, stress eating it what it’s all about, in order to combat those late night study session snacks, you need to add a little exercise into your routine. This can be especially tough if you tend to stick to using the gym at school.
This summer after being too exhausted to drive to the gym after work, as well as lacking the time and overall motivation, I decided to do something I’ve never done. Break out of my elliptical, treadmill, bike, and a little ab workout routine. I didn’t want to sign up for a gym, so I’d need to figure something else out. Not looking for a huge commitment or workout, I wanted just enough to balance out my daily treats.
I would start working out in my room for three days, then taking an off day and starting all over again. I’ve stuck to it because of a few reasons. I quickly learned the secrets to a good summer workout.
Start off easy and simple.
I wrote a list of 10 exercises that requires no equipment and less than 20 minutes to do. I didn’t challenge myself to do sets or a vigorous challenging workout. My plan was to increase the amount of each exercise after I noticed I no longer felt challenged by it. Till this day I still feel a very big burn and often am sore after, so I think it’s working.
Don’t make it a big deal.
If you aren’t used to working out don’t try to be extreme. After I didn’t workout for months I tried to go to a spinning class to challenge myself. Bad idea. If you start off small and work up it will be immensely better. You can turn this into a daily routine and it won’t be as hard to work into your schedule if it’s small and not as daunting.
Make it something you can divide up.
If your plan is to run and then do sit ups, try to split it up some days. Do your sit ups when you first wake up, then run after dinner. I find myself doing some crunches before my shower, then Russian twists after. Slowly I will accomplish it all, and motivating yourself to do one exercise is easier than ten. After you have one set done you will be more invested and wanting to complete your workout.
Entertain yourself.
Plan your workouts around TV shows you like or put something on Netflix to motivate you. Maybe even only allow yourself to watch a certain show if you are working out. This will make it easier to workout since you are entertained and can split up your workout based on segments of the show.
Do not work out every day.
You need a rest day. I cannot emphasize that enough. If you don’t give yourself a rest day you won’t see any results. Most critics advise that you only work out three or four days in a row, then take a day off and repeat.
Be strict…but not too strict.
Make sure you are hard on yourself at first, in order to truly break into this routine. But if you had a rough day at work and your to do list is never-ending…start over tomorrow.
So there you have it, a beginner’s guide to working out in the easiest way possible. Don’t know where to start? Follow my lead: 75 crunches, a minute-long glute bridge, a minute long plank, 30 seconds in a wall sit, 25 Russian twists, the hundred, 25 scissors kicks, 25 leg lifts, 25 reverse crunches, 25 squats, and finish off with 25 jumping jacks. It’s a good start that is not too daunting. Not meant to promise tremendous results, just meant to start you back into that healthy workout routine.
Featured image via Nathan Cowley on Pexels
