Whether it is a recommendation by a doctor or a friend's advice on losing weight, you have been given the simple solution to any problem: Eat a healthy diet and get enough exercise. Easy, right? Wrong. What the heck does that mean? Do I have to eat vegetables for breakfast? Do I do cardio seven days a week? This vague response must have a solid meaning, right? Also wrong. Here is what a healthy lifestyle means:
That healthy diet they talk about.
There is no magic pill. There is no "quick fix" diet, skinny fit tea, one-size-fits-all diet. A healthy diet is not a crash diet where you eat no carbs for a week leading up to your date party. A healthy diet is a lifestyle. And luckily, you get to choose what that is! Everyone is different. You have to personally experiment what types of food your body responds to, both good and bad.
Don't know where to start? Begin by cutting back on all processed foods. This means anything with more than five ingredients, and ingredients you can't pronounce. If you cant pronounce it, you probably shouldn't be putting it into your body (Sorry, no more 3 am microwavable mac and cheese.) Whole foods are essential, so be sure to incorporate fresh vegetables to every meal. Don't be afraid to try new things! There are millions of recipes on Pinterest that can be made right in your dorm!
The right way to exercise.
Surprise! There is no "right way" to exercise. Just like a healthy diet, and healthy workout method is custom to your personal preferences. Luckily, fitness has become a huge trend lately. This means, there are a ton of different options to sweat your stress away! The two key elements to a successful fitness regimen are resistance training and cardio. Not one or the other (sorry, cardio bunnies). If you are hitting your university's Rec Center, lift some weight before you make a b-line to the stair-master. Trust me, you won't get bulky and look like a man.
If you aren't into the gym scene, try out different classes. Yoga, BodyPump, Zumba, and Kickboxing are just a few options that can keep your heart healthy and your body strong.
Try to get 30-60 minutes of exercise at least 3 times a week to start. Once you begin to build up your stamina after a few weeks, add an extra day or switch up your routine to avoid a plateau or pure boredom.
It doesn't have to suck.
Eating healthy and exercising should be something you enjoy. Have fun with it! Try new recipes with your roommates, or go to that kickboxing class you've been dying to try. Most importantly, there is no one-size-fits-all to health. Find what makes you happy, and live it out! You will notice a huge change in your happiness and confidence.
Remember: health is a privilege, not a punishment.
