|
It IS Possible to Stay Healthy at College! |
We all know that college students live mainly off of beer, Kraft Dinner and whatever they find on the dorm floor. Sound appealing, doesn't it? Yet somehow, on a limited budget and a terrible diet, they always manage to come home from college a few pounds heavier than when they left. You may think that it is simply not possible to eat healthy while at college, due to your crammed schedule and empty budget, but there are ways to get around those things. Take the challenge, and see if you can go home at the end of the year more fit than when you left!
Let's start with your exercise routine. Did you know that most college dorms have at least one free exercise room equipped with fitness machines, weights, and everything else that is found at a gym? When I was in college, I found out about this room on my last day. (I also went home a bit heftier than when I left!) If you can't find an exercise room on your own, ask around about it, and you may be pleasantly surprised. Another thing you can do is plan your classes so that you can have some time to get out and walk or run a couple of times a week. Prioritize and make time for a fitness routine. Don't let yourself get talked into doing anything else during the time you have set aside for working out. There will always be another party or trip to the mall, and movies stay in the theater for weeks!
Tackling the college diet may be a bit trickier, but I guarantee you can make it work. Start with drinking less caffeine, alcohol and soda, and drink more water. Yes, even if you have to stay up late to cram for an exam. Did you know that drinking lots of water while staying up actually keeps you more awake than coffee? Plus, coffee makes you more tired in the long run; when the caffeine exits your system, it leaves you feeling more tired than you were to begin with. Water will never let you down!
The next thing you can do is try the cafeteria. Forget the horror stories you've heard about it, and give it a chance. Most college cafes have a nicely stocked salad bar, and you can eat healthy there every day. Stay away from the greasy and fatty foods and stick to the stuff that looks more like home cooking, and you should be fine.
One more thing that you simply must try to do is eat regularly. I know that students can have crazy schedules sometimes, and eating regular meals just aren't possible some days, but at least try to have some healthy snack foods on hand. There are a ton of options in your local grocery store. Also, when you are low on food and the cafeteria is closed, instead of going to the closest fast food place, try the grocery store. You would be surprised how much you can get for just $5 or $10, and your body will thank you for not filling it with the fast food. |
