Although we all wish this wasn't true, our bodies naturally crave carbs and sugars. There is no need to feel ashamed or frustrated with this urge, we have it to gain nutrition and stay alive. The only issue is that consuming too many of these carbs and sugars tends to cause weight gain, unless you are naturally blessed with a speedy metabolism.
Hundreds and thousands of people struggle with the balance between wanting to eat the foods they crave, and the foods that are healthier. It is especially hard in college when surrounded by pizza and junk food all the time! We eventually tell ourselves that if we cut certain foods out of our lives, we will be skinny, and then happiness will come. Well, maybe that juice cleanse will make your body look spring break ready, but if you want to keep that extra weight off, a lifestyle change is the best solution.
I am speaking from experience when I say that restricting yourself may yield results, but you will feel unsatisfied and unhappy overall. We have to treat ourselves with the foods that our body craves occasionally, while treating it right a majority of the time. Living a healthy lifestyle will make you just as thin as any diet; it will just take longer. And that is okay. Wouldn't you rather learn how to enjoy food the right way, and feel good about yourself for the long run, instead of being miserable for some sort of six-week program?
Here is my advice: incorporate exercise into your daily routine and keep an eye on portion sizes. It is actually that simple. Exercise not only burns calories, but it releases endorphins. It doesn't matter what you do -- run, hike, go to the gym, just stay active. It may seem obvious, but our generation has become so lazy that a little reminder cannot hurt. The unfortunate truth is that sporadically going to the gym once or twice a month won't cut it. Just build time for exercise into your daily schedule so that you never forget to do it. It will make you feel naturally happier and it is the easiest way to shed a few pounds!
When it comes to food, everyone is different. Personally, I lost a lot of weight my senior year of high school by replacing white flour with whole grains, milk with almond milk, and learning to love vegetables. I also stopped snacking when I wasn't hungry; eating due to boredom can be a big problem! Again, this worked for me. Everyone has a unique body and needs to figure out the lifestyle that makes them feel happy and healthy. Of course, it's harder to keep up with these healthy habits when on meal plan, as I have unfortunately discovered, but all it takes is motivation! If you are truly determined to change your lifestyle, I promise it's achievable.
So get that delicious Chipotle bowl instead of the burrito; learn to love fruits and vegetables because you can eat as many of them as you want, and push yourself to watch Grey's Anatomy on the elliptical instead of the couch. I know that working out and eating healthy can seem like a difficult transition that takes a long time to work its magic, but you will love life a whole lot more than if you cut your favorite foods out of it completely.
