Growing up, my parents never went out to eat nor did they ever keep a lot of junk food in the house. My brother and I were always eating relatively healthy meals and were constantly staying active outdoors. However, freshman year of college living in a dorm room and living off of only meal swipes had me introduced to the world of ‘bad dieting and unhealthy living’.
Everyone wants to look great and feel great, but when you're in college, being healthy and feeling your best just doesn't seem to always work, especially with the limited fast-food choices on most campuses. Yes people, freshman 15 is alive and real and it doesn’t go away sophomore year either! Currently approaching my junior year of college, I’ve found a lot of awesome ways to stay healthy and eat healthy which in return, makes me feel better about myself. Not only does it make me feel better, but it’s pretty important for your overall health too.
Of course being a college student, you're going to encounter stress, and probably a lot of it too. Stress doesn’t just affect your mind, but it affects your entire body. When people get stressed, they usually can't get a good night of sleep and they turn to binge eating those delicious comfort foods (yes, it happens to everyone). Luckily, there’s a better alternative to helping your stress; try doing Yoga classes offered at your school gym in order to get the negative energies you're having out of your body. Yoga also helps with concentration and focus as well as giving you a pretty good calorie burning workout too! So, throw out that box of Kit-Kat’s ladies and enjoy some Namaste.
Of course exercising and going to the gym a few times a week is a great way to get healthy and fit, but lets face it, the gym can be pretty boring especially if you’re already unmotivated. Try signing up for some Zumba classes or Kickboxing classes with some girlfriends and you won’t have any trouble getting in your Cardio for the week! Exercising is easier when you're having fun. But, if you're not so much of a gym-guru and you have a better liking to the outdoors then try finding a nearby mountain to hike with some friends, or a fun trail to hike or bike on!
So, do college kids even know what sleep is anymore? Probably not after pulling a week of all nighters studying for finals. Getting 6-8 hours of sleep daily is CRUCIAL for your brain and body to recover and prepare for the day! Getting more than 8 hours of sleep has the same affect on your body as getting less than 6 hours of sleep. So, try to go to bed early, get 6-8 hours of sleep, and wake up early too! This will have you feeling rejuvenated and ready for the day, and it will also give you the whole day to be productive before your friends wake up around noon and are calling you to go grab a quick and easy, greasy fast-food lunch with them.
Eating healthy is probably one of the most difficult tasks to achieve being a college student, especially if you're dependent on those meal swipes and aren't able to have access to your own kitchen. For starters, try cutting back on certain unhealthy foods that you eat and try replacing them with healthier options. Also, cut down on those sugary drinks and start drinking a lot of water because water is what keeps our bodies hydrated and keeps us healthy. Thirst and dehydration can also be mistaken for hunger, which could cause you to be eating more when really, you should be drinking more water! I know it’s tough to chug down 2 liters of water in a day, especially if you're used to drinking drinks with a little more kick. So, have some fun and put a few berries or lemons in your water to get that fruity taste so you can enjoy it! Sorry ladies, but it’s time to take your daily dose of Starbucks Frappuccino to a once a week ordeal. Finally, do some research on how to maintain a healthy diet. Everyone’s bodies are different so check out some online health journals and figure out how much protein, fiber and calories you need in your daily diet. Don’t forget about those fruits and veggies too!
It’s extremely important to learn about your body and to get healthy before your metabolism is shot and you're at risk for any health related diseases. Plus, who doesn't like to look good and feel good on a daily bases? So keep in mind when you're in line at your college Wendy’s, are you going to order the Baconater with fries and a frosty, or are you going to think about your body and mind, and order an Apple Pecan Chicken Salad with a bottled water? :)
