Going into my freshman year of college my biggest concern was the freshman fifteen. I was terrified that I would gain weight but also hopeful because I hadn’t worked out at all in high school so in terms of lifestyle not that much was changing. Regardless of whether you’re trying to maintain your weight, lose weight or avoid gaining weight, staying healthy is still important. When your body is well taken care of it’s easier to perform well in your classes and balance all of the things college demands of you.
Get enough sleep – I think getting enough sleep is simultaneously the easiest and most difficult thing to do in college. It’s easy to get caught up in everything going on around you, or stay up late studying or staying out with friends and with early classes it can be hard to regain that lost time. Making sure you get enough sleep will help everything else fall into place and will help recharge you, especially if you can follow a schedule and go to sleep around the same time every night.
Take a fitness class – Most schools offer health and fitness classes for one credit that you can easily add to your semester. This year I’m taking yoga and it’s a great way for me to make sure I’m taking a little bit of time each week to breathe, relax and get in a little bit of exercise. By taking a class for credit it forces you to spend 2-3 hours a week in the gym or outside and is especially helpful if you’re like me and try to avoid going to the gym.
Find a gym buddy – If you can’t fit a class into your schedule, the next best thing is to find a gym buddy! Before I got to college I had never been to the gym before so I didn’t go until I had someone to go with me and show me what to do. When you have someone to go with you can encourage each other to go and it’ll help ensure you go more frequently!
Buy healthy snacks – It’s easy to eat fast food and greasy foods when you’re on campus and have limited options, but if you keep healthier snacks in your dorm or apartment and bring them with you to class it’ll be easier to maintain healthy eating habits. My roommate loves Harvest Snaps snap pea crisps, but skinny pop is one of my go-to’s. It’s also great to have apples, bananas or fresh fruit on hand.
Infuse your water – Drinking more water as a way to be healthier is nothing new. The easiest way to drink more water on a daily basis is to get a reusable water bottle and bring it around so you always have water on you, but if you don’t like drinking plain water buy a lemon, mint leaves, or other flavorful ingredients you can add to your water to encourage you to drink more of it! Of course, the only downside is having to clean your water bottle more frequently if you do this.
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