We all know how hard it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle while in college. Being a senior at Michigan State University, I can personally testify to the hardships of healthy living while being a student. There are so many things pointing us in the opposite direction of healthy living. Being that we are all in what some would consider the prime of our lives, we may think we can eat anything we want with a supreme lack of exercise and be just fine due to our fast metabolisms. That is TOTALLY NOT TRUE, eventually that week of eating nothing but pizza, ice cream, and beer will catch up to us all. It is not completely our fault that we have a hard time maintaining a healthy lifestyle as college students. When it comes to our food options we are stuck with: not always so healthy (or appetizing) cafeteria food, multiple deep fried, extra cheesy, fast food delivery options, vending machines in each dorm, and unlimited amounts of alcohol (if you are of age, of course). With the busy schedule college students are faced with (classes, studying, homework, participating in various orgs., napping, working, maintaining a social life, and we can’t forget partying), there does not seem like enough time in the day to really get an effective workout in. Of course, we can have the unrealistic expectations of waking up at 5:00 in the morning to get an hour workout in before our 8 am class, but for most us that will only last for about two days, a week at the most. But not to fear, Lettuce Live Well is here! We will provide you with tips that will surely help you transition over to a healthy lifestyle while in college that will last you for a life time.
Healthy Eating Tips:
Do a “Meatless Monday”.
Begin each week with a fresh start with fresh veggies instead of meat. By cutting out the option of meat, you are cutting down the chances of grabbing something fried which in return will benefit your overall body as well as your skin. Meatless options also generally have fewer calories and way more vitamins and nutrients. Don't worry, you WILL make it one day without meat.
Eat more salads.
In majority, if not all campus cafeterias at major universities offer a salad bar. These salad bars have a wide variety of options from different types of veggies and fruit to tuna or grilled chicken, and even low calorie dressing options. Try to substitute that burger and fries for a hearty, fulfilling salad for lunch. *Extra Tip* Try making your own dressing with lemon juice, olive oil, and seasoning instead of going for that high in sodium caesar dressing or high in fat ranch dressing.
Limit your alcohol intake to Friday and Saturday.
With all the “Three Dollar Tuesdays” and “Thirsty Thursdays” that bars throw at us, it's hard to not partake in all the alcohol festivities during the week. Many people seem to forget that alcohol packs a ton of calories and can also leave us feeling terrible and bloated the next day. Try leaving the drinking games out of your weekly schedule and treat yourselves on the weekend.
Go for the whole grain options.
When going to your school’s local sub place opt for the whole grain option of bread. According to the USDA, consuming foods such as whole grains and brown rice are high in fiber and may reduce constipation as well as help with weight management. *Extra Tip* Try asking the staff in your university's cafeteria for brown rice and whole grain noodles. Many cafes do not have those options out in the open but have them available at student’s request.
Pre-pack snacks for class.
We have all had it, that hunger pain strikes right in the middle of class. We have two options: starve for the remaining two hours and five minutes of the course or get that chocolatey, heaven sent candy bar that will put our hunger to an end, temporarily. But, wait! We have another option, pre-packing our class snacks to ensure we have some hunger-killers handy when needed. *Extra Tip* Try packing different snacks on Sunday for the entire week, like almonds with a dark chocolate square or whole wheat crackers and cheese.
Drink more water.
Try to replace every two out of the three drinks of the day with water. Drinking more water is a simple, yet super effective way to release the toxins of the body as well as get clear, healthy skin. Make it easier for yourself by getting a cute water bottle that holds at least 64 ounces, which is equivalent to 8 cups. This will make water more accessible and portable. *Extra Tip* Cut up fruits and veggies, like lemon, cucumber, and watermelon to give your water that extra pizazz!
Began couponing and looking for deals.
You do not have to be a soccer mom to began extreme couponing, in fact it can actually be a fun thing to do with a group of friends. If you are a college student that no longer has access to campus’ cafeterias, this tip is vital to your healthy food journey. This step will make it so much more easier for you to purchase healthy food items without spending your entire paycheck. Sunday papers are stocked with coupons, which can also be found online. Many stores offer special deals to students so be sure to keep your student id handy when grocery shopping.
Easy Workout Tips:
Walk or bike to class.
Instead of catching the bus, why not enjoy the scenery and the weather by walking or biking. This is an easy way to incorporate daily exercise to your schedule. This is also a sure fire way to ensure you will make to class on time, because we all know the campus’ bus system is definitely not always reliable.
Have scheduled workout times in your planner.
Set aside time in your schedule just for working out. Mark in your planner and on your calendar as well set alarms. This way it becomes a part of your everyday routine and your body and mind becomes adjusted to it. This limits the chances you using the old excuse of not having time in the day.
Add a workout course to your class schedule.
I personally find the easiest way to make sure I am getting my workouts in is to enroll in a kinesiology course. The great thing about these courses is that there is a deep assortment of options from yoga to zumba to swimming to wheelchair basketball. There are also options of beginner to advanced in these classes. By enrolling in a workout course not only are you getting your body right for Spring Break but your getting an easy 4.0 on your transcript!
Join free or cheap workout classes in your area.
The everyday student can not afford to pay a leg and an arm for gym memberships when they have just paid their left eye and right foot for course books. Many gyms and yoga places around big universities offer inexpensive, maybe even free classes and/or memberships to students. Just call around to local gyms and compare prices, also don’t be afraid to ask about student discounts and free classes. *Extra Tip* If you are in the East Lansing, Michigan area be sure to check out East Lansing Yoga’s free hot yoga class on Saturdays at 4.
Workout during spare time your dorm.
Create a mini workout for yourself that you can easily do in your dorm room. Try to do 25 squats as soon as you get out of bed and then 25 more before you get dressed. BOOM! You just knocked out 50 squats before you even started your day. You can also incorporate a little game for yourself where you do crunches every time a food commercial comes on tv and jumping jacks every time a workout commercial comes on.
-LisaLenora
