Elle

It's honestly weird knowing this is my last blog post. At the beginning of the semester, I thought this would just be another assignment, but it ended up becoming something I actually liked doing. It gave me a place to reflect on everything that was happening during senior year instead of just rushing through it.

Looking back, this blog became a lot more than just talking about the gym. It turned into a way of documenting all the ups and downs that came with this year—being sick, losing motivation, balancing school and social life, spring break, hockey tournaments, stress, routines, and even social media. I think the biggest thing I learned is that growth isn't always obvious while it's happening. Sometimes you only notice it when you look back at where you started.

One thing that stayed consistent throughout all of it was the gym. Even during weeks where I felt exhausted, overwhelmed, unmotivated, or completely thrown off schedule, it was always something that helped me reset mentally. It taught me discipline, but it also taught me balance. I learned that not every week has to be perfect to still count as progress.

Senior year itself has been emotional in a way I didn't really expect. Everyone always talks about how fast it goes, but you don't fully understand it until you're actually at the end of it. There were stressful moments and tiring weeks, but there were also so many fun memories that I know I'll miss later on.

I think this blog helped me realize how important it is to appreciate things while they're happening. Whether it was a workout, a random walk with friends, a hockey game, or just a normal school day, those little moments ended up meaning more than I expected.

As I finish this final post, I feel excited for what's next, but also grateful for everything this year taught me. Senior year definitely challenged me, but it also helped me grow into a stronger and more self-aware version of myself.

Since I already spent time this week thinking about social media vs. reality, I've also been trying to be more aware of how much time I actually spend on it. I didn't fully realize it before, but I scroll way more than I think, especially when I'm bored or tired. It's almost automatic, and most of the time I'm not even paying attention to what I'm looking at.

After doing that assignment and writing about it, I started noticing how different I feel when I'm not constantly checking my phone. I feel less distracted and honestly less stressed. It's like my brain gets a break from comparing, overthinking, and taking in so much random content. I didn't completely stop using social media, but I've been more intentional with it.

I've also realized that when I'm off my phone more, I'm more present in everything else. Whether that's working out, hanging out with my friends, or even just doing schoolwork. It's so much easier to focus on what I'm actually doing instead of thinking about what everyone else is doing.

This connects a lot to my gym routine too. When I'm not comparing myself to what I see online, I feel more confident in what I'm doing. I'm not overthinking my progress or feeling like I'm behind. I'm just doing what works for me, which makes everything feel more genuine.

This week, I actually had an assignment where I chose to write about social media vs. reality, and it really made me stop and think about how much it affects the way I see myself and my progress. It's something I feel like everyone talks about, but not always in a real way. After working on that assignment, I started noticing how often I compare myself without even realizing it.

On social media, especially with fitness, everything looks perfect. People always seem consistent, motivated, and making progress 24/7. You don't see the days they skip workouts, feel tired, or just aren't feeling it. It creates the idea that everyone else has it together all the time, which isn't true at all.

I've definitely caught myself scrolling and thinking I should be doing more or that I'm behind somehow. But when I actually step back and think about my own routine, I know that's not the full picture. I've had weeks where I was sick, less motivated, or just busy with life, and that doesn't show up in a highlight post.

Doing that assignment made me realize how important it is to separate what you see online from what's actually real. Social media is usually just the best moments, not the whole process. Real progress includes setbacks, breaks, low motivation, and everything in between.

I think this week was a good reminder for me to focus more on my own journey instead of comparing it to what I see online. At the end of the day, consistency looks different for everyone, and what matters most is what I'm doing for myself, not what it looks like compared to someone else.

This week has honestly been one of those weeks where everything just feels harder than usual. School has been really busy, and I've had a lot more work than I expected. Usually, you'd think spring semester senior year is light, but it's most definitely not! On top of that, I've just felt really tired overall, like no matter how much I rest, I'm still low on energy. It's not even that anything is going wrong... It's just one of those weeks where everything feels a little heavier.

Because of that, my motivation has definitely been lower. Even simple things feel like they take more effort, especially going to the gym. Usually, it's something I look forward to, but this week it's felt more like something I have to push myself to do. There have been a couple of times when I've considered skipping, just because I didn't feel up to it.

At the same time, I've realized that weeks like this are normal. Not every week is going to feel productive or motivating, especially during senior year when everything starts piling up. I think I've been learning that it's okay to not be at 100% all the time. Some days, just getting through what you need to do is enough.

This week hasn't been about pushing myself to the max or making big progress. It's been more about showing up when I can and giving myself a little bit of grace. I'm starting to understand that consistency doesn't always look perfect. Sometimes it just means doing what you can, even when you're tired.

So... It's finally getting warmer out!!! After months of being stuck inside, it's actually nice to be outside again, and it's definitely changed what my workouts look like. Instead of always going straight to the gym, some days I've been choosing to go on walks around the lake with my friends.

At first, I didn't really think of it as a workout. It doesn't feel the same as being in the gym, lifting, and pushing myself. It's slower, more relaxed, and honestly feels more like just hanging out. Part of me keeps thinking, "This isn't doing anything," or that I should be doing something harder instead.

I'm still making sure I don't miss my main workout days, like back and bis or legs. I still go to the gym and stay consistent with those, so I'm not losing track of my routine. It's just that walking around the lake feels less intense compared to doing stairs or the incline treadmill, so it sometimes feels like I'm not doing enough.

But at the same time, I've realized that it still counts in a different way, I'm still moving, I'm still getting outside, and I'm also spending time with my friends! It might not be as intense, but it's definitely better than doing nothing. And honestly, after a long day, sometimes that's exactly what I need.

This week has made me rethink what a "good workout" actually is. It doesn't always have to be intense to be wroth it. Some days it's about pushing yourself, and other days it's just about staying active and enjoying it.

Spring break was actually insane in the best way possible. Being on a trip with around 170 people from my grade, plus people from other schools, it was AMAZING. It was nonstop. Always something going on, always people around, and honestly just an awesome break from normal life. For a week, I wasn't thinking about school, schedules, or anything I tend to stress about daily. I was just living in the moment.

But coming back... that's a different story.

One thing I definitely didn't keep up with on the trip was the gym. I never had time to workout besides a short and quick ab workout here and there. We did walk a lot since the resort was MASSIVE, but that's pretty much all the movement I did. I was mainly focused on having fun because this is a once in a lifetime trip. But now that I'm back, I can REALLY feel the difference (and it's definitely not pleasant). It''s not even just physical, it's mental too. I am so sad that it is over and it makes me realize how close senior year is to coming to an end. On top of that, getting back into my routine has been harder than I expected.

The hardest part after a break is starting again. It's like my brain is trying to convince me to stay in "vacation mode," even though I know I need to get back on track. The first workout back is always the worst. You feel weaker, more tired, and not as into it. But at the same time, there's also this weird excitement about being back in your routine and feeling like yourself again.

As fun as it was to take a break, I honestly missed the structure of my normal routine. The gym isn't just working out for me, it's something that keeps me grounded.

So this week is basically my reset. Not trying to be perfect, definitely not going all in right away, just getting back into the rhythm, and showing up again.

This week has been a bit different because of the state hockey tournament. In Minnesota, this tournament is a HUGE deal. Thousands of people come to watch, and the games are played in an NHL arena with over 20,000 fans. The atmosphere is intense, and honestly just really fun to be a part of. A lot of students from all over Minnesota, and parents as well, plan their week around it because it's such a special event.

Because of this tournament, there has been a lot more social activity than usual. People are traveling to the games, spending time downtown before, and stressing about getting good seats. It's one of those experiences that makes senior year feel extra special, since everyone is there supporting teams and enjoying the energy of the entire stadium.

Although this is such a fun time of year, it is very stressful. It is 10x harder to balance everything. Between schoolwork, the gym, and social life, I feel like I don't have enough time in a day. I want to go to every game, but I also want to keep up with my routines and responsibilities.

This past week was frustrating in a different way. I was sick for about 9 days, which meant no gym, no daily routine, and honestly no energy to do anything. All I could do was sit in bed and sleep as I hoped to get better, which made me feel defeated. All I could think about was getting back into the gym and being productive.

When you take time off, even if it's not your choice, it tends to feel like you lost progress. For me, I get weaker (especially after being sick), and I continue thinking, "What if I have to restart?" or "What if I can't get my progress back?" It's strange how quickly your mindset can shift from feeling confident and consistent to feeling like you're way behind. Even though I know one week doesn't erase all my hard work, it still felt like I was starting over in a way.

Going back for the first workout after being sick was honestly a mix of nerves and excitement. I wasn't lifting as heavy as I was before, and I definitely felt more tired. But through all of that, I was just happy to be back. I felt like myself again in my "home away from home." I was reminded that progress isn't strictly about weight or strength. It's about showing up consistently, even after a setback.

Senior year has never failed to remind me that setbacks are going to happen. Whether it's getting sick, falling behind in school, or just feeling off mentally, you can't always feel 100%. What matters the MOST is how you respond.

Being back in the gym after a tough break has made me much more grateful. I've noticed that I take my health and abilities for granted sometimes, and these reminders are definitely beneficial.

It's very important to appreciate what you have in life overall, even when you feel defeated!

Senior year has been a strange mix of excitement and pressure. Between schoolwork, prepping for college, and trying to enjoy my last year of high school, it's overwhelming. At the start of this year, I realized I needed more consistency in life. Something that helped me mentally and physically reset while building my discipline. That's when going to the gym became a bigger part of my life.

I have always gone to the gym, but it was never one of my top priorities. I would take breaks here and there and never took it very seriously. Going to the gym gives me breaks from constantly thinking about what comes next, and it's comforting in a way. After a while, it turned into more than just exercise. It became a space where I could focus on myself, build discipline, and create a consistent routine that balances out the chaos of school and social life.

Prioritizing the gym hasn't always been easy. Some days I feel overly exhausted from school with no motivation to go, while other days the gym is what gets me through the day. Learning how to prioritize it has been a struggle, but I now understand the importance of self-care.