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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Failing to be fit

November 19, 2018

What’s harder than taking candy from a baby? Sticking to your fitness goals. Every year, I make plans to get toned, fit and snatched. I scroll through the gram and see the videos of women squatting and doing crazy ab work and I say “YES! That’s gonna be me soon”.

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I go as far as creating routines, getting equipment and workout wear. The first day arrives and I’m all pumped and ready to go. I do 10 leg raises, manage 4 crunches, get halfway into doing a push-up and then plop! I’m lying on my carpet panting for air, wondering when I got so unfit.

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And when it’s not working out, it’s eating. I tell myself I’m going to limit the amount of junk food I consume. I’m going to eat my veggies and my fruits and drink water. In 2 days time, I’m doing homework while dipping a slice of pizza in Creamy Garlic dipping sauce.

pizza

(I mean, technically pizza sauce is made from tomatoes, and tomatoes are veggies. Cheese is rich in both calcium and protein so cheese isn’t bad for me. And garlic is a healthy herb/spice. So pizza is healthy.…… At least that’s how I justify it)

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Point is, sticking to fitness and eating goals is hard as hell, especially as a student who has to juggle work and school. How am I supposed to keep my waist snatched, have abs, work, get good grades and maintain my sanity?

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But I’m trying. I really am. Here are some things I’m doing to get and stay as fit as I possibly can:

  • I’m trying not to buy junk food when I do groceries. I tell myself if I don’t buy them, they won’t be in the refrigerator and therefore I won’t slip. Makes sense right? I make a list before going and I try really hard to stick to it. Veggies, fruits and healthy snacks.

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  • But at the same time, I give myself cheat days. If it so happens that I have fast food once in a while, I’m learning not to beat myself up. Life is short. I hate to be morbid but something will kill us at the end of the day. I don’t know about you, but I’m okay with dying from consuming ice-cream.

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    • I try to take my water bottle with me every day and I walk around with it. I tell myself “I don’t need to buy juice/drinks, I have water.” I’m trying to avoid buying pop and other juices which tend to have a high sugar content. Plus I’ve heard it can help me to have better skin.

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    • Instead of buying food from the cafeteria or from fast-food restaurants, I try (key word: try... it doesn’t always work) to grab or make something from home before heading out. It saves money plus since I make it, I know what ingredients are in it so I can guarantee that it’s healthier. If I happen to grab something from the cafeteria, I try to get a salad or a healthy snack box.

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      • Working out after a long day is anything but easy. However, I try to do at least 15 minutes every day. I don’t go to the gym. I stay right at home on my carpet. I’ve found home routines and so far, I’ve done well sticking to them. It’s pretty beneficial. I find that after working out, I’m in a better mood and in higher spirits.

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The thing about fitness, I’ve realized, is you will never achieve your goals overnight. It all takes time. Making small changes every day can make a big difference. And someday we will all taste...

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