Convincing myself to work out has never been easy. I like to run, but I’m not planning on taking up cross country anytime soon. Going to a gym where I’m forced to sweat buckets in front of complete strangers does not sound appealing to me whatsoever. Exercise is important, and I wholeheartedly believe that it’s necessary. Learning to manage my eating habits has been a little easier, though it’s difficult when ice cream is your favorite food. Eating well is important and also necessary. Being healthy overall is a fad in our society that won’t go out of style anytime soon. It should always be a priority, but then again, should it control every aspect in your life?

Reflect on yourself for a minute. Do you reject dinner invitations, afraid that the restaurant doesn’t offer a healthy alternative or that you’ll be swayed to pick something that’s not considered “healthy”? Do you wake up at some absurd hour solely to cram in a morning run? Have you adapted to a primarily salad and water diet? Have you resorted to skipping meals? If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, stop. Collaborate. Listen. Laugh at my shameless pun (thanks Vanilla Ice), and keep reading.

For starters, you are beautiful. Never let a magazine or a BuzzFeed article or a “10 Tips to Lose 10 Pounds” graphic on Pinterest convince you otherwise. You don’t have to have the flattest stomach or the clearest face or the best hair to feel beautiful. We all have attributes we like as well as those we wish we could change. It’s a human condition and one we, unfortunately, have to accept. That being said, few things are permanent, and with a little perseverance and determination, some of these so-called “flaws” can be tailored to your personal preference.

First, let’s tackle exercising. There’s plenty of ways to break a sweat and get moving besides going to the gym or hitting the pavement for six miles. If you’re like me and can’t convince yourself to roll up to the gym, find a friend who loves the outdoors and go on a hike. Walk to class instead of taking the bus, or if you’ve got a ways to go, drag out your bike from the dusty confines of your basement and tune it up. Take a walk around campus or your neighborhood in the evening. Who knows? You might have the opportunity to watch the sunset, and that’s worth every step. There’s also alternative opportunities for sports if you’re not a collegiate athlete. Form a team for an intramural or club sport. You don’t have to be the best basketball player - in that environment, no one expects that. It’s about having fun! Use YouTube for something besides procrastination and funny cat videos. Follow along to Zumba videos in the safety of your dorm room. Practice yoga. Whatever method you choose, have fun with it! Exercise isn’t something you should feel forced to do. It’s something you should want to do.

Speaking of other wants, college students are stereotyped as beings that are never full. We’re always eating. Meals in the caf, late-night runs to the coffee shop, binge-eating during finals week. At the time, eating seems harmless, but from someone who fell victim to the Freshman 15, it will catch up with you. College teaches you to manage your time effectively, so use those skills to your advantage. Save money by not buying a cup of coffee every day or stock up on junk food when you go grocery shopping. Limit yourself to one dessert a day or certain days a week. Brush your teeth at a decent hour so you aren’t coerced into snacking late at night. It’s all about moderation, not swearing off sugar and tasty things forever. That being said, if you feel like you need improve your eating habits, research healthier alternatives. Not sure if you like broccoli? Give it a chance. Are you an ice cream enthusiast like myself? Opt for the sugar free or other low-calorie version of your favorite flavor. Trust me, they don’t taste all that different. Eating healthy isn’t supposed to be a punishment. It’s required to live, so might as well enjoy it!

So what’s the whole point of this? Being healthy is awesome, but don’t let it make your life worse. Remember, moderation. If you like working out every day, go for it, but don’t feel bad if you only do so every other day. Salads are delicious, but they’re not required for every meal. It’s okay to splurge every now and again as long as you remember to treat your body to some healthy foods as well.

I could go on, but there’s a knock at the door. My pizza’s here! I’ll have a salad tomorrow.