[blockquote quote="You have as many hours in the day as Beyoncé." name="Everyone In 2016"]
Those 10 words seem to have become somewhat of a motto in the past year or so, the perfect clichéd slogan to remind yourself of on those days you want to snooze your alarm or wrack your brain trying to find an (in)valid excuse to skip a gym session. It'll come in handy especially in the first few weeks back at college when your schedule hits you right in the face and deadlines swing round faster than you can drink a shot.
There's no denying feeling fit, motivated, bright eyed and bushy tailed is ultimate #goals but often doesn't quite go hand in hand with the all nighters, house parties and caffeine fuelled study sessions you'll embrace the next 10 months. When you're pressed for time and money, that spin class looks less and less attractive. We've all been there. But fear not - here are 5 tips to help you stay motivated!
1. Make It A Date
Start by scheduling your gym class like you would a meeting or class. Setting it in ink will make you more likely to see it as a commitment and see it through, if you have nothing else planned for that hour, you may as well get your session done! Once you have your timetable for the semester, pick the best classes or time slots for your workouts and try to make them weekly commitments. A routine of just 3 sessions a week is not unachievable to stick to, but is super productive for busting stress and upping your endorphins and fitness levels.
2. Get a Gym Friend
Most things are better with friends, and the gym is one of them! Going with a buddy is a surefire way to boost motivation when you're not in the zone, and push your competitiveness when you are. Above all else, it makes it sociable and just more fun.
3. Book A Class
Classes are brilliant for getting some structure into your routine and workouts. If you're new to fitness, or wanting to start more resistance training, classes such as Circuits, Tabata and Pump will give you a brilliant full body workout. Having the guidance and motivation of a trainer definitely helps you to focus and work harder. The time will whizz by!
4. Mix It Up
Look at your schedule in blocks of 6-12 weeks. If your timetable changes every semester, this would be a perfect chunk of time to set your workouts, before switching or mixing them up after the summer or winter holidays. After this period boredom and a plateau in progress will likely set in, so it's a great opportunity to take a break and come back to a new routine. Maybe set a new goal or area to focus on. Do you want to get stronger, run a 5k faster or just try something new? Be selective in choosing something you really love to do, but be open minded to keep things fresh!
5. Keep Going!
When the going gets tough it's so easy to quit the things we see as unnecessary in a bid to prevent feeling overwhelmed. Is the gym that thing for you? Neglecting your health and fitness in exam periods might actually put far more stress on your body and mind. As studying takes over we often increase our caffeine intake, rely more on packaged convenience food, and see sleep as a total inconvenience. Staying active through these periods will not only make you feel better but probably increase your productivity and academic performance. Stepping away from a screen and putting your headphones in for just 30 minutes working up a sweat gives your cloudy head a total break and really energises a lethargic body.
So there you have it - follow these top tips, stay fuelled, stay focused and balance it out with some serious letting your hair down. Mission: best year yet? Accepted.
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