Lazy Girl’s Guide to Getting in Shape

It’s summer and after years of giving the summer whatever body I have at the moment, i’m finally giving this season the body it deserved all along and I’m seeing results. I thought I’d share some advice with you all for a few of reasons a) I’m a regular degular college student, not a trainer, not a fitness guru, just a girl who had a goal, b) I am lazy, like super lazy, so this will be for the girls who don’t have the motivation or the time to be dedicating an hour or more to the gym, I get you girl, and c) I talked about body image and influencers a couple of weeks ago and decided to share what I’ve learned during my journal

1. Have Fun With It!

Look, the gym is not for everyone. It’s barely for me. Sometimes I really don’t want to go to the gym so I have a couple of apps on my phone that will give me workouts and I’ll focus on my abs for a few minutes, then I’ll do some squats because, well you all know why, and then I’ll literally dance. Yes, I dance. I will set a timer on my phone for 20 to 30 minutes then turn on a playlist on my Apple TV and I’ll blast Destiny’s Child, Ciara, Rico Nasty, Britney Spears and I will give an entire show, and when I say I am exhausted by the end I mean it and I enjoyed myself while moving around. Weights, treadmills, and stairmasters are cool and all but sometimes just taking the time to move is what you need to get in shape

2. Set a Weekly Workout Goal

My weekly workout goal is 3 times a week. That includes going to the gym for 30 minutes to an hour, taking a Zumba class with my mom (I love doing any and everything with my mom), or the previously mentioned dance alone workout I’ve created for myself. Having a goal gives me something to work towards and also helps me focus more on the exercising than when the results will come

3. Count Your calories

Note: this does not mean obsess. Just keep track of what you’re consuming and how much (it really works). I use the app Lose It, but there are tons out there.

4. Watch What You Eat

This is in addition to counting calories. 200 calories worth of vegetables is way better than 200 calories worth of chips. Be cautious of what you’re consuming, I promise you’ll be able to tell the difference.

5. Pace yourself

You’re going to have hard days and you won’t see the results immediately but if you’re consistent they’ll come, just pace yourself and don’t rush your process.

6. Don’t Get Discouraged

You’re going to mess up your diet, I honestly did it this entire weekend. You’re going to struggle, and you’re going to want to compare your journey to other people’s. Take it step by step. Trust me sometimes I obsess with getting my stomach flatter and why it looks bigger than it did the day before (like I didn’t just eat something), but in order to be successful we have to get out of that space.

How do you stay fit? Let me know in the comments I’d love your suggestions and opinions. Remember to love yourself and make your fitness journey about you and not what society tells you to be. Stay Beautiful!