Confession time: I am not a fitness junkie.  I don’t follow Insta moguls that made a name for themselves by posting their workouts and pictures of their tight abs.  Whenever I try a cycling class, boot camp, etc., my mind shuts down because I loathe competition and people yelling at me.  Don’t get me wrong–I appreciate the people who enjoy these activities and they have my utmost respect.  Those classes are not for me and that’s okay!  The beauty of fitness and/or a healthy lifestyle is that you get to choose what works for and motivates you!

I love to dance and practice yoga.  However, my current location (a rural town in Virginia) and position in Residence Life do not offer much in terms of accessibility to classes that fit my level of interest or ability.  My saving grace is the sidewalk.  Ever since I can remember, I have enjoyed walking.  Even if it is sweltering hot or frigidly cold, I will hit the street.  My soul and psyche both crave something only the outdoors and a moderately paced walk can provide. This is especially true when I am stressed.  I also really enjoy taking pictures of nature and posting them on my Instagram.  I give myself bonus points if I get a picture of the sunset (#nofilter). Taking the time to notice small things while outside recharges me and helps me find my center.

So how do I motivate myself?

I walk to my appointments and meetings throughout the day to help reduce the effects of my sedentary work environment.  Most SA pros sit for more than 5 hours a day (unless they are staff members for outdoor activities or they work in an office that has standing desks).  Break up the monotony!

I remind myself throughout the day (especially when I handle or respond to incidents) that I will walk next to the grass and listen to upbeat music.

When I am tired of my workout playlist, I will utilize some office time or my lunch break to discover new music on Spotify.  Selecting the songs I want has the added benefit of giving me a burst of energy while I’m in the office.

(The most important part of my routine) When I get off of work and walk into my on-campus apartment, I immediately change into my workout clothes.  This way, I have no excuse to sit down and get lost on social media or Netflix.  I pop in my headphones, turn up the music to get my blood pumping, and walk out the door before I can convince myself that I’m too tired.

One last point: I really try not to give myself a hard time if I miss a day.  Some days will be hard and some days you will think to yourself “is this even worth it?” Please know it is absolutely worth it!  You deserve to feel healthy, mentally and physically.  No one but you can make you get up and move or carve the time out to do so.  You have to be your body’s advocate.  A year from now, your body and mind will thank you.