Summer break is in full swing. That means chilling at the lake, walking along the beach, grilling at family barbecues, and, of course, perfecting those summer body goals.
What are these goals exactly? What’s the best way to get there?
Many students are feeling motivated and maybe even pressured to get “swole,” but they are not taking into consideration what their health should feel like, not just what it should look like.
Your goals should not be oriented solely towards how you look. You should also value how you want to feel and how healthy you strive to be.
This means making changes in diet and nutrition along with changes in exercise. Being healthy is a commitment and a lifestyle choice, not something you put effort into once a year so that you can make heads turn at the beach.
You need to take a look at yourself and understand that pushing yourself to achieve certain goals — especially if those goals have been set by society — may not be achievable within a few weeks, and may not even be healthy.
Shay Mitchell is one of my idols. She is an amazing actress and a beautiful goddess, but she explains that it takes hard work and dedication to look and feel amazing. She explains how important it is to eat right, but to also eat how you want once in a while.
But can just anyone follow her diet and exercise plan? I mean, if I want to look like her, I should just follow what she does, right?
The thing is, there will always be role models in society, especially among celebrities and people in pop culture and media, who set standards for us. It isn’t intentional, but it happens. This is where the unintentional harm comes into play.
Not everyone can follow the same plan to fitness and health, as everyone is on a different journey. We might have the same end goals in mind, but how we get there is going to be very different.
This is just based off of different environments, backgrounds and lifestyles. That is why it is so important to step back after making your summer body goals, and think about what it is that you really want, and what all it will take to get there.
Go to professionals who work in health care and can provide the educated support that you need to lead a healthier lifestyle. There are now two dietitians on staff at Kennesaw State University, and there are many other resources on campus such as the Center for Health Promotion and Wellness, Counseling and Psychological Services and the Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery.
Most campus resources are free for students to use, so why not take advantage of these resources and build the body and lifestyle that you deserve and can carry on throughout life, even past this summer and past your years here at KSU?
Hot celebrities and bloggers may look amazing and their plans for their own wellness and physical fitness may attract you, but don’t lose focus on what matters: YOUR health. Do what you know is best for YOU.