We all know that dieting in college can be a hassle when there are so many good food options on campus.
Whether you have gained the freshman 15, or have surpassed your set point weight, the fact is that college students are busy, and don’t realistically have time to count calories or work out. This may sound disheartening, but there are a few easy tips that will help you stay in shape without messing up your schedule.
1. Always Plan Ahead
Whenever you know a particular day or week is going to be very busy, always write out a menu and prep the food for the week, including snacks. This is great because you won’t have the pressure of feeling like you have to grab fast food or other unhealthy food to quench your appetite.
2. The Meal you should never skip
It’s no secret that eating a healthy breakfast fuels your body for the day. If you have time, make something simple such as eggs with toast or a fruit smoothie. But if you’re in a rush, have some fruit and oatmeal.
You could also try eating some fruit or whole grains like wheat toast or cereal, which contain fiber. The better the breakfast, the less the chance of filling up on junk food.
3. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Sometimes, it is hard to differentiate between whether or not you’re hungry or just dehydrated. It sounds strange, but studies show that people eat most when they’re dehydrated.
A foolproof way to make sure that you’re actually hungry is to drink a glass of water. If, after a few minutes, you still feel empty, then eat a light, healthy meal. To know how much water you should drink per day, divide your body weight in half, and that will be the amount of water you need in ounces.
4. Read the Fine Print
Ingredients tell us a lot about the food we eat, ranging from sugar count or if it is processed with chemicals. You only have one body, so you should always know—or try to figure out—what is going in it. A simple rule of thumb to decipher what’s healthy is to see if you can read and understand most of the ingredients listed. If you can, then it’s healthy.
5. Change It Up
Whenever I ask people why they don’t like working out, I hear the typical response of “it’s too repetitive” or “it gets boring fast,” but it doesn’t have to be. The days of watching boring workout videos are long gone.
There are so many fun and exciting ways to stay active. From kickboxing to yoga, there are a variety of workout options that can get your blood flowing while you have a good time. Currently, the Rec/IM is hosting free fitness groups that give EMU students the chance to work their hearts out. The classes are available from 9 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. Some classes include power yoga, Zumba, an abs circuit and boot camp.
Some programs even offer discounts—like being a student or signing up with a group—so check with your local gym to see what classes are being provided.
For more information visit emich.edu/recim/fitness/classes/.
