Spring Resolution: Why I'm Getting Fit Now That Winter's Over

Honestly, this may sound so cliché, but it's the simple truth: I'd like to get fit this spring.

Now, before I say anything else, I would like to point out that my 'mission' is to get fit, not to lose weight or get skinny (although those factors are part of the equation).

I'm a pretty average girl; I complete most of my assignments two to three days before they are due, I work at McDonald's and I probably eat more junk food than I care to elaborate on.

I'm also 16. I've heard it said that “all girls have body image issues at this age," and really, I've never felt like that applied to me. I've always been happy the way I am. (And yes, my resemblance to a peach has probably become closer in the last year or so since two cheeseburgers and half a pizza magically became a reasonable lunch option.) Until now, it seems.

Over the past few months, I've been feeling overworked and exhausted. I started at a new school that was an hour and a half bus trip away, I still work twice a week and I remain part of a youth organisation that frequently requires my time - all in the middle of Year 11.

I wasn't doing well because of these commitments. I was getting sick at least every two months and sometimes getting out of bed was my biggest achievement of the day. As the reigning gold medallist of the procrastinator's Olympics (I'll go next year), this was a lot for me. So, I began theorising ways of lightening the workload.

Naturally, cutting down my Netflix intake wasn't an option. I considered leaving work, but my shoe addiction wasn't going to fund itself. I considered leaving some of my other commitments, but I was determined to make it all work. And then, the light bulb moment. I realised, when someone eats badly all day - and whose most strenuous daily activity is the leisurely 10-minute stroll to and from the bus - they are probably going to become a feeble weakling.

At first, I didn't want to believe it. I tried flexing in front of the mirror, but it was like those cartoons where the muscles drooped pathetically downwards. And so I faced the ugly truth: I was a couch potato.

As I became aware of my own problem, I started realising it was shared by the girls around me. No joke, I'm five-foot-nothing with a bird’s nest for hair, but at school I am surrounded by long-legged, graceful amazons. Yet, they too were all ashamed to share their weight even in private moments with trusted friends and thought they somehow weren't good enough. From them, I was provided with lots of different advice.

Eating healthy was my natural first option, but it just didn't seem to be enough. I did consider skipping meals every now and then, but I knew that wouldn’t lead anywhere good. So, my only other option was exercise. (*shudder of horror*)

I went online and found some awesome resources and ideas for exercise plans and cool recipes for healthy smoothies, letting me pick and choose the perfect plan for my lifestyle. I even found this cool app that celebrated girls going out and getting fit, sending encouraging messages each day along with a fitness plan.

So this Spring, my mission is to get fit; not simply to get skinny or to lose weight (although I won’t miss the pinching of my back fat), but because I want to feel better. I want to have more energy, be stronger and be a happy, healthier me. I want to go out feeling confident in my own body and skin. I want to be capable. I want to wear my crown. And this summer, I want to share it with everyone - boy or girl - that I know.

Congratulations to Kiah for winning this writing challenge, answering: Spring Resolution. Kiah wins a $50 Westfield gift card for her submission. For your chance to win, check out our latest writing challenges in our Comps section. Also, be sure to follow this guide on how to win the writing challenge!

Photo: iStock.