Pace Yourself Because Getting Healthy Isn't A Competition
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Pace Yourself Because Getting Healthy Isn't A Competition

We all know that giving up ice cream really sucks.

149
Pace Yourself Because Getting Healthy Isn't A Competition
pxhere

Dieting can be really daunting sometimes. Participating in dieting, no matter if you're planning to lose fat, gain muscle, cut back on sodium or watch your cholesterol, means that you'll have to change your lifestyle one way or another to see the results you want. I think we can also all agree that there is no specific way to achieve one's dietary goals. Some diets, though, work better than others.

I think we've all scrolled through social media and heard about someone trying a new fad diet that is just "working so well" for them. I swear I've seen everything from a ketosis diet to intermittent fasting among people in my social circle. These diets ask a lot of you sometimes, whether it's dramatically cutting carbs or caloric intake at all for long periods of the day. Some people have a will-power of steel and get through these diets no problem, but I am definitely not one of those people.

So what do people like me do? We tend to fall short of completing the fad diets because we're really stubborn about changing the way we eat. Ask any one of my close friends and they well tell you that I am a vacuum cleaner when it comes to food. I will eat anything, everything and your leftovers if you have any. But what I've found works for establishing a habit is just cutting down on the foods that do us in slowly, one at a time.

Don't cut the ice cream out cold-turkey. Don't stop drinking soda if you have it with every lunch outing. Don't stop snacking on chips and salsa whenever you're binge watching "The Office." Just pick a thing you think is hurting your odds the most, and have less of it. Instead of four scoops of ice cream after dinner this week, have three. Cut it down to two scoops next week or the week after. It's the little things that make the whole process of establishing a diet so much easier for people like me. This is also a strategy that works well when you're trying to eat more of a healthy food. When you're out to eat, try picking the steamed broccoli for one of your two sides instead of the fries.

As a college student, there's no way I can just clean out my fridge and replace its contents with healthier food--especially when I share the fridge with other people who don't have the same goals as I do. The most reasonable things to do is cut down what is comfortable for me and to make better decisions about healthy eating wherever I can. This isn't the greatest method if you're trying to shave off fat as soon as possible before the upcoming beach season, but it may help you change your life for the better in the long-term. Slowly dissolving unhealthy habits and replacing them with beneficial ones will only set you up for better decisions in the future and a healthier life. It's a great place to start.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

54137
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

34844
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957207
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

182512
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments