Coming from an exercise addict, it's hard for me to admit that I have lost more weight doing less than when I was putting in the countless amount of hours in the gym and eating like a rabbit. Now don't get me wrong, I am not just sitting around eating chips and Netflix binging, for I have just found a maintainable lifestyle that any college student can obtain while tackling the school year.
Walking
The beautiful thing about college campus is the ability to have every class and activity within walking distance. With having multiple classes, meetings, dinners, and internships, I walk to every event and accomplish to fill every apple watch achievement. Now trust me, it can be tiring to walk from Reese Fifer all the way to North Lawn. My best advice is to always have a water bottle in hand and have an enjoyable playlist ready for you as soon as you're on your way to your next destination.
Eating In Moderation
The biggest problem many college students face is eating with their eyes rather than their stomach. It is normal for students to overeat from fear of not knowing when and where their next meal will be. If this is you, planning specific times to eat or meal prepping will allow you to not overeat. Having a balanced meal Is also Important even when not doing extra physical training. tricks include protein no bigger than your fist, more veggies than carbohydrates, and carbs such as rice, potatoes, and beans, are good for feeling your body.
Snacks
Some students feel that rewarding themselves is a must when achieving a goal throughout school. This is true, but note if you're rewarding yourself more than once a day. To limit this, schedule a time that best works for you to indulge in whatever makes you happy. It is important not to deprive yourself of these items because this can lead to overindulging and Is not good for maintaining a balanced diet and weight. If you can't go for long periods of time without a treat, reward yourself in small portions. If you want that candy bar, eat half and save the rest for another time.
Gym Time
School schedules can get hectic and at times my body is not physically capable of pounding out an hour at the gym. Although I cannot get on the gym grind every day, I try to reward myself with a scenic run that is not only a stress reliever but good exercise. It is good to step away from a long study session and exercise is the perfect break. If you cannot workout frequently, make time in your agenda to devote a time in your day to run on the treadmill, doing some weight training, or your favorite area of exercise. If you have a lack of motivation, take a group workout class, find a workout partner, or even hire a trainer for peer motivation.
Stress Management
Its hard to make college a anti-stress time of your life, but there are tricks to limit unneeded stress. Whether you choose to do yoga or have a minute of unwinding time with a book or a movie, find what works best for you. It is important to always stay on task, but remember that you are human and checking in with your mental and physical health is just as important. Stress is also the main factor that causes weight gain for many students. Once I have learned to overcome this issue, I found that losing weight was easier, noticeable and satisfying.