Before I began my freshman year of college, I was pretty active and I tried to make decent meal choices. Once I actually started my classes and got into a normal routine, it seemed almost impossible to eat healthy, workout, go to classes, have a social life, do homework, and sleep. The first semester of my freshman year, I always felt sluggish and not energized because of the lifestyle choices I was making. It wasn't until the end of my freshman year that I decided I needed to make a change when it came to how I lived my everyday life.

Flash forward to now, my second semester of my sophomore year, I have maintained a routine of going to the gym three to four times a week, while also making healthier food choices. Here are a few things I did to get myself into a healthier routine.

1. Wear your gym shoes on the days you plan to go the gym/always have a change of gym clothes in your backpack.

When I first tried to get myself into the routine of going to the gym multiple times a week, it was definitely hard. On the days I planned to go the gym, I would always wear my 'gym only' shoes around campus. I would also always carry around fresh gym clothes in my bag, so I would almost 'force myself' to go. Now, I've learned to enjoy working out and staying in shape, so this isn't as much as an issue. However, this was definitely one way to keep myself motivated.

2. You can definitely have 'treat yourself' days.

I didn't decide to go on some crazy diet or anything when I decided I wanted to get into better shape. Really, all I did was reduce the amount of sugar or sweets I was taking in on a weekly basis. This doesn't mean I never eat sweets, I think I would die if I couldn't have chocolate a couple of times a week. However, I just make sure I don't do this everyday.

3. Always eat breakfast!!

I cannot even express how much this helps me start my day off right. Whether it's just a cup of yogurt, cereal, or a granola bar, it's so simple to add breakfast into your daily routine. Some people say that they feel sick in the morning, and can't bear the thought of eating right when they wake up, which is completely understandable. However, there is nothing wrong for a packing a granola bar with you in your backpack and eating in later!

4. One word: Water.

Luckily, I've never been a fan of soda or any type of energy drinks. However, I definitely am a sucker for sugary fruit juices. I try to avoid drinking these on a daily basis, and drinking tons of water instead. I am constantly filling up my water bottle when I am on campus. After being more conscious about the amounts of water I have been drinking daily, I have noticed my skin has gotten a lot clearer, and I feel like I have a lot more energy. Being hydrated constantly is key to feeling better!

5. Keep your lunch light.

My usual lunch consists on a bagel, fruit, and yogurt. Eating a healthier lunch gives you a lot more energy to use for the rest of the day. This is also a great meal to eat before going to the gym because it's not 'heavy', and it fills you up enough to not make you feel gross during a workout. (But this doesn't mean I don't treat myself to some Chick-fil-A sometimes!!)

6. Set goals for yourself.

It may sound extremely cheesy on paper, but setting goals for yourself is really important. When I wake up, I plan what my entire day will consist of. This not only includes schoolwork goals I want to achieve, but also fitness goals. For example, I may make it a goal to finish a paper by the afternoon, and then go to the gym to run three miles and work on my legs. By setting goals and knowing exactly what your days will consist of, it makes life so much easier!