Every week, a workout regimen is taped to my calendar and every week it goes undone. Healthy living is desired by everyone, but seems hard to obtain with such a busy lifestyle. 

We are all stuck in the normal routine of life and even if it is chaotic and constantly changing, it is still relatively predictable.

According to the American College Health Association, in 2013 22.9 percent of students did not go to the gym. Sleep difficulties were ranked at 27.9 percent and difficulties handling academics were at 46.3 percent. 

When time is spent being tired and dealing with studying, working out is put off and frequent naps and cram sessions take the place of being healthy.  

Many health experts like Jillian Michaels, and online blogger Leo Babauta, constantly say to make being healthy a habit and to not put yourself down or give up. 

Brandon Faris, local business owner and certified nutritionist and personal trainer of Faris Fitness, helps Sacramentans find their personalized routine to make working out and healthy eating a daily habit. 

“Each small step towards getting healthy will get you closer to the next.” Faris said. “Small changes in diet and lifestyle will bring rewards to motivate you to take the next step.”

It only takes a block of time to head to the gym, shower up and get back to class or studying. Students who find the time to get a workout in their routine are masters at it.

“Every student has hard classes, so they have to find time to study and are busy going to class,” said sophomore civil engineering major Brandon Kong. “It’s mind over matter. I go four to five times a week and am taking 12 units. I go whenever I am out of class and usually before eating.”

The difficulty with working out and staying healthy is personal behavior. As college students, it is easy to say “let’s get a beer from Round Table,” instead of “lets go to the Well.” Unless a conscious decision is made and personal accountability upheld, working out and eating healthy will stay on the backburner. 

“Behavior awareness is the first step,” said kinesiology professor Sally Monical. “You cannot change behavior until you are aware of your own behavior. Therefore, knowing as much about yourself in regard to the desired healthy lifestyle behavior you want to adopt is important.”

No more excuses. Put the beer down, get off the couch, set your alarm earlier and get to being healthy. All the advice in the world will be no good if not heeded.