One Month Challenge: Gymvember, Week Two

[Everyone’s got a vice, a bad habit, something they know they need to change. Unfortunately, everyone also has a million excuses why they just can’t do it. Not anymore. Every month we will be following a different CollegeCandy writer as she takes on a personal challenge. This month, Melanie is putting her health first and going to the gym....every day....without excuses. We watched her suffer through her first week, so how did she handle week 2?]

By Melanie

So I’ve made it through week two, and surprisingly, it’s gotten better every day. I’ve been pushing myself and have discovered the joys of OnDemand exercise videos featuring Jillian Michaels, which I use to warm up before I put in my time at the gym. I asked you all last week for some tips and tricks to get through this and I was overwhelmed with the responses. The encouragement you guys dispensed made me feel great and it made me feel even better when some of you indicated that you’d be joining me for Gymvember!

One piece of advice that I wish I had heeded this week came from a comment warning me, “Obviously if you are not a morning person do not workout in the morning. You are just going to hate it and your performance will reflect your feelings.” (Thanks “A Dude”!) However, I had a lot to do after work one day and knew I wouldn’t have time to go to the gym at night. So, I begrudgingly woke up an extra hour or so earlier and went to the gym. That was awful. I hate mornings and it absolutely did reflect in my workout. I was sluggish, cranky and felt like a zombie afterward. I think I’m going to stick to my evening workouts from now on; the morning does nothing for me, especially before I’ve had my iced coffee (yes, I realize it’s November… I mean, Gymvember).

Otherwise, I feel freaking great!

I feel like my weight loss and health goals are finally becoming attainable. Although I refuse to weigh myself, I already feel a difference in the way my clothes are fitting. I already see a shift in my eating habits to accommodate what I’m doing at the gym. Even though it really, really grosses me out, I’m drinking protein shakes at the advice of my friend. I even scooped up a Dry-fit Nike sports bra, which I love. As for my questioning of my endorphins? I know they’re there now. I’ve been way less irritable and moody, plus that lethargic feeling (you know, when you just want to drown in your bowl of leftover Halloween candy and immerse yourself in the lives of Real Housewives) only occurs on weekends now.

I know it might sound stupid or like I’m bragging (I’m not), but this is coming from a girl who would rather order food than walk a couple blocks and get it and who avoided the gym like it was the weird snot-nosed kid in pre-school… I’m proud of myself. I haven’t tripped up or skipped a workout in the past two weeks.

Halfway there! Bring it on, Thanksgiving! As always, please leave any advice, workout songs or motivators in the comments!

[Check out the other One Month Challenges we've taken on! And if you've got a challenge you want to tackle (and be held accountable for), email us and we could feature you next month!]