Balancing Books and Barbells

I started going to the gym and committing to consistent workouts in February of last year. At the beginning of my journey, it was challenging to adapt to a proper routine and learn how to perform each exercise correctly. I wish I had found an article in my school newspaper to help! So here is one I wrote to try and give you guys the advice I wish I had been told. 

For me, the first step was simply finding the motivation to go to the gym—whether that meant going every day or just a few times a week. To build that motivation, I sought out workouts and cardio activities that I genuinely enjoyed and looked forward to doing. Through trial and error, I discovered that I love leg and back days, so I began incorporating those into my routine. I also turned to TikTok to help me understand and learn some basic workouts. As the year progressed and schoolwork became more demanding, it became increasingly difficult to stick to my routine. I needed to find a way to balance my academic responsibilities with my fitness goals. 

What worked for me was planning a weekly schedule that fit into my life. For example, on Mondays, we had LA Fitness during school, so I would work out then. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I went right after school and got home around 6 p.m., which allowed me plenty of time to finish my homework. On Wednesday mornings, I would go for a walk or run, which helped improve my mindset and boost my dopamine levels throughout the school day, all while fitting in a workout. 

My advice to you all is to plan ahead, make a list of your priorities, and understand that they’re all important to you. Just as school may be a priority, you also need to think about your health—and vice versa. If you're always focused on the gym, make sure to leave room for other things too. Finding this balance hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve learned what works for me over time. Most importantly, I’ve realized that it’s okay to miss a day—it’s not the end of the world.

By Orli Sharbani