During my first year in college, I've really tried to prioritize my health while I'm on my own. It's been tricky, exhausting, and felt unfruitful at times, but throughout the year I've had some realizations that have really changed the way I think about health and fitness in the long run.
1. You're not going to be perfect
It's easy to watch a bunch of health and fitness videos on YouTube and think working out for an hour is no big deal, but after going to classes all day, and with exams, projects, and papers due the next, it can almost seem impossible. If you're going to have a busy week, make sure to give yourself some leeway and take off days when you need them. If some days you don't have time to make healthy food or you just don't feel good enough to get out of bed, let yourself rest and try again the next day.
2. Make a routine that's *really* flexible
I grew up with parents that wake up everyday at 5AM to go to the gym before work, and if I've learned anything while being in college - that is not my style. I regularly don't go to bed until later at night because there's just so much to do, and waking up that early isn't a viable option for me. Make a routine that works for you. Maybe you're an early bird, maybe you like to workout at night, maybe you hate routines and do a little bit of both depending on how you're feeling. Creating a healthy lifestyle isn't a one-size-fits-all approach, especially as a student, and you really have to tailor your fitness habits to what works best for you in the moment, even if it's not the rigid routine fitness buffs swear by.
3. Convenience is key
Don't make things harder on yourself! Don't worry about cooking every single night. Try and meal prep beforehand so you don't have to worry about it every day. If you're really struggling, it's okay to buy the microwave meals when you need to, just try and make healthier habits easier for you on a daily basis. If you can't make it to the gym, try a lazy day workout that you can do in bed. There are so many options to make healthy habits easier to access, you just may have to be creative.
4. Long term solutions are better than short-term
If you're trying a diet that forces you to constantly resist temptations or you feel dread while walking into your next workout, whatever you're doing isn't right for you. You may be able to stick with it for a month or two, but when it means incorporating it into your lifestyle to form long-lasting results, it's just not viable. If you don't like whatever diet or routine you're doing, don't force it and waste your time. Scratch it off the list and move on.
5. You really have to experiment to find out what works best for you
You may try a ton of diets or routines that don't work for you, and that's okay! We're not fitness models, we're just people trying to live healthier lifestyles. It may take years of failed attempts to develop sustainable habits that work for you, but as long as you keep trying, there's no harm in that.