Let’s face it, the freshman fifteen is very real. Often times, it is an understatement for the danger that lies ahead with the freedom to run to any fast food joint at any time you want because your parents are no longer there to tell you no. I may be exaggerating when I say danger, but for me, the amount of weight I gained since starting college was no joke. I gained about twenty pounds and on a short girl like me, those pounds are noticeable.

I have discovered that getting into a healthy lifestyle is more of a balance than an exact science. It’s a balance between exercising and portion control. So go ahead, have that chocolate cake that your grandmother makes for your birthday every year, but say no to the second slice she offers when you finish.

Over the past few months, I have realized that I can still eat all of my guilty pleasure foods, just in moderation. I am known for watching my Netflix shows at night and having a bowl of ice cream in hand, but you will also find me up every morning running my thirty minutes a day. With this balance, I have already lost ten pounds (out of the twenty I gained freshman year, yikes) and I haven’t even changed my life drastically.

Below are a few small changes I have made:

• 64 oz. of water a day, no more soda

Many people don’t realize how bad these sweet tasting, sugary drinks actually are for you. As soon as soda is swallowed, your pancreas rapidly begins to create insulin in response to the sugar. Insulin transports sugar to the bloodstream, where cells use that sugar for energy. After a measly 20 minutes, your blood sugar level spikes and the liver responds to that spike by turning that sugar into fat. Whereas water serves many functions in your body, such as: lubricating joints, helping remove waste from liver and kidneys, and keeping you hydrated.

• Pretzel chips and hummus for a snack instead of potato chips

This is one of my favorite things I have done because not only does it taste so good, but the health benefits of switching are a giveaway. 100 grams of hummus is only about 170 calories whereas the same amount of potato chips are 536 calories. Think of how much more hummus you could eat without jeopardizing how many calories you eat that day.

• Only eat fast food when a “necessity”

I will admit, this is one of the harder switches I have made because of how convenient fast food is. My trick is to always have a few granola bars in my purse so if I’m ever stuck in a bind where I can’t make it home to make a meal, I have a snack to tide me over. IF you do find yourself stuck with fast food being your only option, go for a more healthy option on the menu; such as a grilled sandwich versus fried and nix the fries altogether or get a salad. Not only will this help in improving the quality of foods you eat, but your wallet will thank you later.

• Set aside 30 minutes 4x a week to exercise

This is crucial to your success in changing your lifestyle for the better. For me, if I go running in the morning, I am less tempted to make poor eating decisions later in the day that could potentially negate the hard work into my exercise.

So put that soda down and go for a jog around your neighborhood. In just a few weeks of following these simple tips, you’ll notice the results and I promise you won’t be disappointed