During the first year of college, most college students end up gaining a lot of weight. With poor sleep habits, an unhealthy diet, and a crazy schedule, it’s difficult to stay on top of your health.
Studies show that weight gain from an unhealthy college lifestyle affects 1 in 4 students. Despite how common it is to go up a pant size during your first year in college, you don’t have to keep your freshman 15 forever.
Here are some college-friendly health tips that will help you get fit and keep off unnecessary weight.
Outdoor Exercise
Who says you need to pay hundreds of dollars a year in gym membership fees in order to stay active? Find scenic parks and hiking trails in your area that you can utilize as a free form of exercise.
The best part is that you can bring friends with you to make your outdoor workout even more fun! Go for a morning jog with a classmate or get a group of friends to carpool and go on a big hike. You can stay moving, save money, and be adventurous all at the same time.
Meal Plan
There’s a difference between being reactive and being proactive in your food choices. When you’re reactive, you tend to give in to cravings and end up spending more money on impulsive meals. When you’re proactive, you feed your body what it needs and can budget your money more carefully.
Meal planning is essential for any healthy lifestyle, and if you’re trying to shed weight while in college, it is especially important. Stick to a stricter meal schedule so that you can give your body all of the nutrients it needs to function at its best.
Keep a Routine
If you’re trying to stay fit, it’s important to set up a routine for yourself that keeps you on track with your fitness goals. Routines give you stability in your schedule that helps reduce stress while boosting your productivity and performance.
By maintaining a consistent schedule of weekly exercise and diligent meal planning, it’s a lot easier to avoid extreme weight gain. The best way to keep track of your new routine is to write out your plans on a calendar and create a checklist for each day of the week.
Prioritize Sleep
When in school, it’s tempting to stay up late and attend every fun event possible. However, your sleep schedule is much more important than anything else that might come up.
Help yourself relax at night by running a warm bath, heating up a cup of tea, and reading an anticlimactic book. Do whatever you can to keep your mind off of any unfinished work that might make you feel restless.
