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Getting Back into Sports/Fitness while Studying (after 4-year break?)

So I'm an undergrad student finishing up my final year at university. I'll also be starting a master's later this year. I did a lot of sports at school, but for various reasons I just never got into sports at university, don't attend the gym and never work out on a regular basis. I have generally lived a pretty active lifestyle nonetheless, doing a lot of walking and have worked at part-time jobs which require me to be on my feet for 8 hours.

I have a good metabolism and have never been overweight, but this year I've been less active and have spent a lot of time at my desk studying. Result: I've put on about a stone since the start of the year. This has freaked me out a bit so I'm now on a diet of 1500 calories per day, doing 10,000 steps if I can and following 15-30 minute long cardio videos on YouTube daily.

My master's degree will be quite full on and I will have to get a job this summer and possibly during my degree, so I'm generally a bit clueless about how I can maintain fitness and lose weight alongside this and I was wondering if anyone had any advice about how best to do it.

My main problems are that I have asthma and I'm quite self-conscious about doing any sort of sports activity in front of other people, especially after such a long break. I know that no one is thinking about me, but I'd rather follow a workout video in the privacy of my tiny room than go for a run outside when my stamina level is at 0. Everyone who I see running in parks etc always looks perfectly composed and never like they are completely out of breath!

I enjoy basketball and tennis and I'm thinking of joining some casual teams at my new university, but I want to get my fitness to an ok level beforehand so that I don't end up embarrassed in front of other people. I'm also a bit nervous about joining a gym and the various classes they offer because it's expensive (though I think there is a heavy discount for students) and I don't know how it all works, how you use the machines properly and what the gym etiquette is etc.

I'm sure I'll work this all out for myself somehow, but it would be useful to get advice or any tips from people who have been in a similar situation or are otherwise a lot more knowledgeable than me.

(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 1

AMac86

The first thing I'd say is honestly try not to feel self conscious of what others think if you go out running - I'm a very keen competitive runner and can absolutely guarantee there's people of all shapes, sizes, and fitness levels out in parks and streets (with the vast majority being quite casual and "uncomposed") - so don't worry about what you think others might think, they'll be caught up in their own world and won't be paying you a second thought.

Pretty much every uni or commercial gym will offer inductions where they'll talk you through how various machines work etc... also absolutely tonnes of "how-to" videos on YouTube. Personally I find gym motivation hard without a wider sporting goal, but of course plenty of people absolutely love the gym by itself.

On fitting exercise in when you're working/demanding degree etc... For me it's about making the most of the mornings before work (I work in a reasonably demanding professional career with hours of roughly 8.30am-6pm), up early and make the most of that time before the working/studying day starts. Being efficient with lunch hours too (I'll do a 45 min run in my lunch break a few times a week). I do a little bit in the evenings but for me and most of my sporty friends we're predominantly early birds

If you find something you enjoy I find the motivation comes much more easily so I'd find that casual sport you enjoy and just get stuck in, and that'll give you the motivation to increase the wider fitness and healthy habits.