So it's 2020, and the new year means new resolutions. For a lot of people this includes working on health and fitness and I am totally on board. Since this is my first post of 2020, I though it would be a good idea to post about my fitness journey and share what has been working for me.
For a couple months now I have been making a stronger effort to be healthy and work on my fitness. I went from going to the gym......eh a few times a semester to going at least once a week. I've always been a person who has been very up and down with my physical activity, while I had no problem with working out I just didn't have the push to make it apart of my routine. Then after having a really busy semester last Spring, the excuse was that I didn't have the time.
When I started my fall semester this past September 2019, I had several goals in mind. I could describe these goals in one word: Balance. I didn't want to keep building these habits of studying, studying, studying, without focusing on other important aspects of my life. I just want to be the best version of myself in everyday, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. And so since September I've officially started my fitness journey and I hope that I continue this journey for my lifetime as I continuously thrive to be my best self.
So with all that being said, here are some things I want to share that I've learned so far. Stay tuned for my favorite workouts and tips.
Finding the Motivation
By far the hardest part in my opinion is just starting to workout. It's getting up in the morning half-asleep and actually getting up and going to the gym when you could be using that time to catch up on sleep. I mean-UGH! It is honestly not easy, but I found that just like other things, building a habit and keeping a schedule worked for me.
One of the first things I did I was schedule a time that I would workout every week. I put it in my google calendar for 10 am every Sunday, and no matter what I would try my best to keep it up. As I started it got easier and easier because it became a part of my schedule. Eventually I started looking forward to my Sunday workout!
The next important thing I learned is that working out with friends makes all the difference. Having my friends join me each week made it much easier to get going to the gym. So I highly suggest getting a gym buddy! Shout-out to my friends for joining my every week!
Finding What Works for You
Another aspect I had to deal with was finding confidence in the gym. I was really intimidated to go into the weight room when it seemed like everyone else knew what they were doing....and I didn't. What I told myself was that this was just like any other new and uncomfortable situation in life, you don't get better at it or more confident at something unless you start.
A great thing about choosing to be more physically active is that there are so many ways to do so! You could be a runner, a gym-person, a dancer, a group-workout person, whichever works for you.
If you're at UMD, our tuition gives us access to a variety of classes that you can try. You can find out more here: https://recwell.umd.edu/activities/fitness/group-fitness
Once you find what works for you and what makes you enjoy your workouts then that is the best step to starting your fitness journey. Today I want to share some routines that I found worked for me personally.
My Favorite Workouts
At the Gym:
When I get to the gym, I like to follow this routine if I am doing an all-over workout: cardio, legs, arms, abs. I'll usually spend about an hour at the gym, it will change every time I go but here is my general routine.
1.Stretch all-over
2.15-20 minute cardio: treadmill or elliptical
I like to start off with cardio because I find it really gets my heart pumping.
3. Next I like to do weights and resistance workouts:
I use my resistance bands as I do some leg and lower body workouts, I like to do squats and lunges. I'll use the barbell and dumbbells to squat with. I will usually do about 15-20 reps of each.
Some of my favorite machinery includes the leg extension, hip abductor, leg curl, and I love using the power tower for abs.
4. When I'm done in the weight room, I would move over to the smaller exercise rooms. Here, I usually focus on abs or any other body parts I didn't target. I'll be sharing some great workout routines that are perfect for this room.
At home/without equipment workouts:
I actually really enjoy without equipment workouts. Sometimes all you need is a resistance band, yoga mat, and dumbbell. Here are some routines that I enjoyed. These workouts I usually aim to do for about 30-40 minutes. This is when I released that it didn't take a lot of time out of my day to get a workout in:
Arm Routine
20 biceps curls
20 lateral extension
Arm circles - 30 seconds each side
20 squats and arm raise
20 lunge with weights
10 tricep dips
Repeat 3 times
Arm and Shoulder
15 shoulder press
15 front raise
15 bent over reverse fly
12 burpee
Repeat 2x
15 curl and press
15 side raise
12 modified pushups
15 upright row
Repeat 2x
GLUTES!
15 squat cross over
15 squat hip abduction
15 butt lift
15 hours bridge and abduction
15 fire hydrant
15 jump squat
Legs and Lower Body
15 jump squat
15 squat
24 walking lunge
Repeat 2x
12 squat walks
30 glute kick backs
12 goblet squat
20 alternating lunge
15 straight leg dead lift
10 sumo broad jump
Repeat 2x
Core
30 seconds plank
10 burpee and tuck trunk
Repeat 2x
12 Bent leg raise
20 mountain climbers
Repeat 2x
20 straight leg jackknife
20 Oblique crunches
20 X-plank
Repeat 2x
24 Russian twist
12 squats
Repeat 2x
12 bent leg sit up
10 inchworms
Repeat 2x
30 second commando
10 bend leg jackknife
My Fitness Journey
Spring 2019
Fall 2019
More and more my eyes have been opened to the importance that our everyday choices have on our health. I really hope that I can continue to incorporate going to the gym and working out into my weekly schedule. I think the special thing about a fitness journey is that it is a personal journey, its about finding happiness and things that make you feel good and are good for you! I have honestly found a lot of peace from going to the gym. I have also tried some mini yoga sessions in between study sessions.
Some of my next goals include going from once a week to two times a week during the semester. I also hope to continue cooking my own meals and try to eat more fruits and vegetables and less processed snacks.
I hope you all have enjoyed this blog and I would love to hear your thoughts! I also hope that everyone is having a great start of 2020.
xoxo,
Kye