So New Year’s has come and gone and everyone has started working on their New Year’s Resolutions. Some people vow to start spending more time with their family, others vow to quit smoking. One of the most popular resolutions?
Get fit.
Lately, it seems like everyone is obsessed with being in shape. While being in shape is important, it’s more important that you’re taking the right steps to being healthy.
Whether you’re a resident or a commuter, it can be difficult to find the time, energy, and means to stay healthy! Everyone knows how difficult it can be to fit in time at the gym or balanced meals while living on or always being campus.
So I’ve found some of the best tips the internet could offer and combined them for easy access!!
Tips to Eating Right on Campus:
- Start your day with a good breakfast! This could mean grabbing some eggs or fruit at the dining hall or making your self some oatmeal in your room or at home. Either way, have a balanced breakfast so your mind and body is ready to tackle the rest of the day!
- Here are some healthy breakfast choices:
- Scrambled egg whites with veggies!
- Whole-grain toast with fresh fruits!
- Oatmeal with your favorite berries!
- Healthy, sugar-free cereal with skim milk!
- Not ready to completely change your diet?
- Start slowly by making substitutions!
- Skim milk for whole milk.
- Special K/Total/Kashi/Oatmeal for Lucky Charms/Fruit Loops/etc.
- Fresh fruits for packaged fruits (full of preservatives & sugars!)
- Sugar for Splenda/Truvia/Sweet N Low in your coffee.
- Tea (especially if its Green Tea!!) for coffee.
- Drink plenty of water!
- Your body needs a TON of H2O to feel great and stay in shape!! Drink at least 8 glasses a day! I know, this sounds like you’d pee your pants…but honestly, it’s easier than you think. There are even apps you can download onto your phone to keep track of your water intake!
- Stock your room with healthy options!
- Grab your friends and head to a local grocery store to fill your room with delicious AND healthy snacks! Some options:
- Animal Crackers
- Pretzels (obviously not smothered in chocolate)
- Individual Popcorn bags
- Trail Mix
- Oatmeal
- Soups
- Fruit
- Veggies
- Whole-Wheat Crackers
- Hummus
- Low-fat String Cheese
- Low-fat Yogurt
- Water!
- 100% Juices
- Nuts/seeds
- Seltzer
- Rice Cakes
* items in orange are currently stocked up in and on my mini-fridge!
- Dining Hall tips:
- Fill up a salad bowl first! This is fill you up before you can even reach the burgers and fries.
- Fix your salad with a ton of leafy greens, fresh veggies, chick peas, nuts, seeds, and fresh fruits (apples, grapes, oranges, and berries are all great salad add-ins)!
- Skip the croutons, creamy dressings, and shredded cheeses. These just add things that completely ruin your healthy salad-first strategy!
- Try this, not that!
- Grilled or baked foods instead of fried foods!
- Whole-grains instead of refined or enriched white grains.
- Skim or soy milk instead of whole fat milk.
- Baked potato or sweet potato instead of french fries! ( Great substitute for french fry lovers like myself.)
- Try water or seltzer before sweetened drinks.
- Grab some fresh fruits before you dive into a sugary dessert.
Now for some fitness tips!
There are so many different work out plans out there. Which one is right for you? Remember, every one is different and at different levels of fitness.
For beginners, start of by heading to the
Campus Recreation Center and see what they have to offer! They have state-of-the-art equipment for you to learn how to use! The staff are polite and will help you out as best they can! You can shoot pool or shoot hoops! There are also a number of different fitness classes ranging in levels from beginner to advanced. Grab some friends and head on over! If you’re looking for something more individualized, you can pay for personal training sessions at the CRC as well!
If you’re already familiar with the CRC and have your own work out plan, make sure your always prepared for your routine!
– Bring a water bottle!
– Pack your iPod with your favorite high energy tunes!
– Be ready to sweat! If you’re used to taking it easy, push yourself! You deserve to feel great, but you gotta work for it!
If you’re feeling bored with your normal routine and aren’t pushing yourself, it may be time to switch things up. There are a ton of different DVD work outs that can really pack a punch!
Some of the most popular include:
P90X – This is for people ready to commit to working out almost every day for 90 days for about an hour or two a day!! This workout is extremely intense, but doable if you’re up for a challenge!! I suggest grabbing a few work out buddies and to start slow! Research P90X if you’re interested and make sure your safe!! As Tony says, do your best and forget the rest!
Insanity – This is similar to P90X, but does not require any additional items (i.e. bands, weights, etc.). Insanity lasts 60 days and can be done anywhere you have space. Research Insanity if you’re interested and make sure your safe!!
Well, I think that is enough healthy living tips for today!! Remember, stay HEALTHY and SAFE!!! If you are trying to lose weight, be smart and know that it takes time and commitment (AKA no CRASH diets or INSANE workouts!!) Staying healthy and fit is all about your overall well-being so take care of your mind, body, and soul!!!
–Ashley
