The second my roommate wakes me up for that early morning workout before class, I immediately turn to the other side. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know, exercise makes us feel “great” and “alert.” But, that doesn’t mean getting there and being there isn’t a struggle and a half.
1. Peeking at the machines of the people next to you
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We have all been guilty of catching a glance of someone else’s speed, resistance, or incline. Is he going seven miles per hour? I’m only on 6! Oh my gosh, he is on an incline too. I need to step it up.
2. Tucking in the muffin top
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Spandex pants are only slimming when you get them to perfectly cover your love handles. Whether its doing abs or running on the treadmill, you have to make sure your pants are hoisted up to your belly button to suck everything in. We all know the struggle of those pants that just never just seem to stay up. If you wanna try and avoid worrying about this, check out this muffin top melter workout.
3. Dealing with that greasy hair mop
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Usually we go to the gym with our hair already looking pretty bad. Headbands always seem to slip or fall out, and those slick ponies or cute messy buns turn into a disaster. Once you start to workup a sweat, there is no hope left for a decent hairstyle.
4. Thinking about food
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Let’s face it, if you hit the gym right before a meal (as most college students do… one trip, duh) it is impossible not to think about food. Thoughts run through our head about how many calories we are burning and if we worked hard enough for a reward. Usually, the night ends up with a spoon clinking into an empty bowl of ice cream. We deserve it… right? In order to remain guilt-free, try these great post workout snacks.
5. Cardio in general
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Cardio is probably the number one struggle of the gym, not much more needs to be said about that. I am not even sure any person, male or female, does not struggle in this area at least once. Are we POSITIVE this is good for us?
6. Feeling inferior in the weight area
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Being surrounded by jacked people and division one athletes does not help our confidence in the weight area. Half the time I’m not even sure if I’m doing it right (or even doing a real exercise to start with). But hey, at least we’re trying!
7. Searching for an available machine
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Everyone has that one favorite activity they do at the gym. It’s so hard to fight back the anger when the last stair master gets taken. And during the prime hours? Forget about it. You’re lucky if you can even find a mat to stretch on. May the odds be ever in your favor.
8. Trying to find every excuse to avoid the gym in the first place
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Nothing is more difficult than trying to get out of bed and basically sleep-walking into the gym. Trying to fit it in later in the day is almost equally impossible. No matter when you go, there is always a mini-debate between the devil and angel on your shoulders over whether you really need to go today.
We’re in this together. You can do it. I believe in you.