I'm at the end of the first semester of my freshman year (thank god!) and I have managed to avoid the dreaded freshman fifteen!
I've never been the skinniest girl but I've always been in pretty good physical shape. I played sports in high school and my parents really stressed the importance of eating well. This summer, I got on a big health kick and worked out for at least 90 minutes every day. I had it in my head that if I conditioned myself to working out daily for long periods of time, when I got to college working out wouldn't seem like such a chore. While this was all done in good faith, naturally that is not the way things worked out! Let me tell you, it is much easier to dedicate yourself to working out when you don't have three labs, two tests, and four quizzes in one week.
Have Your Voice Heard: Become an Odyssey Creator
As much as I enjoy working out (and I really do), it is hard to find the motivation during the week when I am so busy! The two hours of free time I actually have, I just want to sleep. Despite my laziness, I've managed to avoid gaining a single pound and this is how I did it!
1. Commit to cardio at least twice a week.
Go for a jog, bike to class, hop on the elliptical, dance. Whatever your cardio may be, make sure you get it in at least twice a week for at least thirty minutes. It's so vital to your physical and mental health! Give yourself a break from studying and commit to making your body stronger.
2. Take the stairs.
On my college campus, there seems to be an elevator at every corner and it is soooo tempting (especially at 8AM) but try to avoid using them. I've made it a point to take the stairs to my third floor apartment, in the library, to class! It's something to add to your daily routine that will make a difference in the long run.
3. Pack snacks to class.
Anyone that knows me knows how seriously I take my designated snacking times. I try to snack as often as possible so that I don't overeat when a meal comes around! Packing your own snacks means avoiding the vending machines and actually putting food of substance in your body. I like almonds, granola, apples, oranges, celery, peanut butter. Whatever floats your boat! This will also save you some money!
4. Make sure to eat!
My biggest problem at the beginning of the semester was simply forgetting to eat. There is so much going on in the first few weeks of school that meals will be few and far between. The problem with only eating one meal a day means that when you do eat, you're eating crap and you're eating a lot of it. Make sure you're eating at least three times a day and snacking in between. Your body will thank you!
5. Join organizations and activities.
Please get involved! There are days when all I want to do is lie in bed after class and nap/eat/cry. This is not good and it's not healthy. That isn't to say that every once in awhile you don't deserve a rest day but make sure it isn't an everyday thing. Get involved and join clubs that require your attendance. This will force you to leave your dorm room and move! Even better, it's a great way to make friends and make you feel better about yourself in general!
