Whether you’re in college or in grade school, staying fit while going back to school is a big deal. In grade school, things are a little easier--eat at your scheduled meal times--breakfast, lunch, snack time and dinner, go to gym class and participate in afterschool sports. In college, it gets a little more complicated. With planning your own schedule, you need to find time to schedule your meals and workouts. Here are a few tips for staying healthy--even after the pressure to look good in a bikini fades.
Whether you are in college or in grade school, staying fit while going back to school is a big deal. In grade school, things are a little easier–eat at your scheduled meal times–breakfast, lunch, snack time and dinner, go to gym class and participate in after-school sports.
In college, it gets a little more complicated. With planning your own schedule, you need to find time to schedule your meals and workouts.
Here are a few tips for staying healthy–even after the pressure to look good in a bikini fades.
1. Make a schedule and stick to it.
Making a schedule is a great way to not only make sure you fit in four or five meals per day, but also that you are making time for your workouts. Getting into a routine that works for you is the first step to sticking to a healthy eating plan and workout regimen.
2. Carry snacks.
You may find yourself busy between classes, extra-curricular activities and work. In these cases it is important that you also find yourself with snacks in your backpack to ensure that skipping a meal does not mean pigging out on all kinds of junk later! Nuts, apples, carrot sticks, grapes and string cheese make great snacks when you are on-the-go. Try pairing a high protein food like nuts, with a high fiber food like an apple, to make a healthy snack that will keep you full for a longer period of time.
3. Whether you are at the dining hall or making food in your dorm–make half of your plate fruit or vegetables.
Making sure that you have fruits and veggies with each meal is a great way to ensure that your meal will not only be filling and low in calories, but also full of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Remember that lots of color means your plate will be nutritious.
4. Make time for exercise and sports.
Whether you like running on the local trail, biking around the city, playing intermural soccer with your dorm friends or are a more serious athlete considering club or varsity sports–make time for physical activity. College is a great time to stay involved in athletics. You will never have resources like this to stay in shape. Take advantage of it!
5. Eat protein at each meal and snack time.
Having protein at each meal and snack time is very important for bone health, maintaining muscle mass and recovering after workouts. Making sure that you have regularly spaced meals and snacks with protein each time will make sure you are maintaining muscle mass and will help burn fat mass. Protein helps to keep you full for longer and will add less to your waistline than its carbohydrate and fat macronutrient-rich counterparts.
6. Take study breaks.
If you are a book worm, it is important to take breaks to go for a walk, refresh your brain and then hit the books once again. It is also a great opportunity to stretch your legs and burn some calories. Try hitting the gym, going for a walk or run when you need to give your brain a break. Taking a break will also help you refocus when you get back to the desk or library. Studying burns some calories too!
7. If you don’t have time for the gym or sports practice today, do a quick 15 minute workout before getting ready for class instead.
Squeezing in workouts can be tough in any phase of life. Life often happens and unless it is an integral part of your routine, sometimes you forget to workout. Make it a part of your routine. If it is finals week or just a day where you are so busy you can’t get to the gym, pick three to five calisthenic exercises and do a circuit workout in your dorm. You don’t have to be a gym rat to stay fit. Squeeze in 15-minutes of exercise before you shower in the morning or evening.
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