From Flab to Fab

Four years ago I arrived in the sunshine state to begin my freshman year of college. I enthusiastically immersed myself in my school’s culture that centered around Greek life, Lilly Pulitzer, top shelf liquor, and shameless partying, and I fell in love with the weather, the beaches, the frat bros, and the glamorous nightlife. I loved dressing up with my sorority sisters to go out downtown or to parties, and running around the beach in a neon bikini with my friends was one of my favorite activities. Unfortunately, I soon found out that margaritas and beer do not get along well with bikinis and little black dresses.

I had heard horror stories of the “freshmen fifteen,” but I never believed it could happen to me. Before beginning college my weight and body image were never a problem. I had been a competitive athlete most of my life as well as a beauty pageant competitor, and I was always in great shape. However, after one semester of college life, I realized I had been wrong to assume my body was invincible. With the dining hall food options, endless drinking, and late night drunken pizza ordering, weight gain was inevitable. On top of that, between classes, homework, sorority events, partying, and often waking up with a massive hangover, finding time to exercise seemed outside the realm of possibility. Having previously been a competitive athlete before coming to college, I was used to getting intense exercise every single day, and now I was getting none.

Like many college girls, I faced a classic dilemma: I wanted to be skinny, and I wanted to party all night long. Sadly, these desires often do not work together, and I realized that unless I wanted to continue putting on the pounds, I would need to quickly pick up a drug habit or make some difficult lifestyle changes. I opted for the lifestyle changes. Throughout the past few years I have been learning how to stay healthy and fit while maintaining my fun and exciting life. I have learned that fitness is a lifestyle, the gym is not just a place to check out hot guys, and you can never have too many pairs of colorful norts (Nike shorts).

            Now at age twenty-two, I am a graduate student, and a fitness enthusiast. I am constantly finding and creating new ways to stay motivated and achieve fitness goals. From personal experience I know that losing weight and getting in shape is a challenge, and it can be frustrating and discouraging at times. I hope my blog will help you stay fit and fabulous. Stay tuned for fitness, workout, and diet tips as well as anecdotes and advice from a betch with a passion for fitness and all things neon.

            Yours truly,

            Betch In Norts