Summer is around the corner, and the gym has been packed. But what if you’re working hard and counting your calories, but you’re not seeing results? It’s easy to get overwhelmed and forget how beautiful you really are. Here’s a few tips on how to adjust and keep positive:
1. Carbs are not bad, but avoid over eating them.
Carbohydrates are where your body gets the most energy; they aren’t bad for you until you go overboard. If you eat too many carbs (more than 50% of your diet) your blood sugar will spike, once your blood sugar crashes you’ll feel hungry again and want to keep eating. We all love our breads and pastas, and they’re not all bad for you, but it’s important to know which kind of food does what. For example, wheat bread is the best breat to be eating because it has the lowest glycemic index (or concentration of carbohydrates.)
(http://www.myfooddiary.com/Resources/nutrient_facts/nutrient_carbohydrat…)
2. Drink water!
Water is necessary for your body to function, and it’s recommended to drink 8 cups of water every day. The average Camelbak waterbottle holds about 3 cups, so if you finish about 3 water bottles, you’re in great shape! Don’t forget that when you’re working out and sweating you need to compensate for that and drink a little more water! Bring your water bottle around with you to class and drink it throughout the day so your intake is spread out.
3. Cut down on your alcohol intake.
Don’t stress about counting every single calorie, especially on the weekends, but keep in mind that alcohol is very high in calories and is one of the major setbacks for college kids trying to maintain weight (hence, the freshman 15). The average beer contains 150 calories per 12 ounces, for just one or two it’s not a big deal, but in the span of a weekend it’s easily overdone.
Blue Moon: 164 calories
Budweiser: 145 calories
Rolling Rock: 134 calories
Coors Lite: 104 calories
(http://www.efficientdrinker.com/beer/)
4. Do what you can.
If you’re one of those girls who like to run 5 miles a day with weight training on top of that, great, if you’re not, it’s totally fine! It’s important not to overwork your body at the gym. And if you’re having trouble with motivation, treat yourself to ice cream, candy, or heck, a nice cold Blue Moon later that day just for going. The hardest part is getting there, once you’re at the gym it’s easy! Making a work out plan before you go is the best way to instill confidence in yourself while you’re there. Pinterest has a lot of work out options for any area you want to work on, and you can vary on intensity based on how much you want to do that day.
5. Workout Wear.
I don’t know about you, but when I have some cute shoes on and a nice work out outfit to match, I can conquer the WORLD. Splurge a little on an outfit you’d be comfortable in at the gym, because we all could use a little confidence at the gym, and it’s a little motivation to get your butt out of bed and work.
Top: Lululemon $48
Bottoms: Target $37.99
6. Love your body.
The most important thing out of all of these tips is to love your body! We are YOUNG ladies! Skinny isn’t always healthy, and your body is beautiful no matter what. If you want to eat a whole loaf of bread by yourself, DO IT, if you can out drink the boys at the bar, YOU GO. It doesn’t matter! As long as you’re keeping some healthy habits and you know what you’re feeding your body, it shouldn’t matter. A number on the scale does not define the wonderful, smart, beautiful individual that you are!