I apologize in advance for this, but spring break is in just under a month. With that shocking realization in mind, it’s time to get those Spring Break bodies poppin’. If you are like any other college girl that works out a maximum amount of twice per year, the gym can be a bit intimidating. As an expert in pretending to be healthy, I have found that there are many ways to appear fit and healthy without actually doing very much or ever setting foot in a gym.
- Fitness Websites
There are hundreds of websites with short, specific workouts on the internet. The perk of these is that you don’t even have to leave your home and all it takes is around twenty minutes to get in a decent sweat session. Some of my favorites are Tone It up, Pinterest (really!), and various sources of motivation from Tumblr.
2. Drink as Much Water as Humanly Possible
I always drink 24-36 ounces right when I wake up to boost my metabolism, then another bottle as I’m getting ready and more throughout the day from my giant water bottle that I bring with me to class. Staying hydrated is the easiest way to keep away excess bloating because it cleans out the digestive system and keeps everything flowing smoothly.
3. Stop Drinking Your Calories
A typical “girly” drink from Starbucks can have as many as 550 calories in it. Soda typically has 100-200, and diet versions cause bloating. If you are a person who has to have flavor in his or her drink, try herbal teas or making a detox water with fruit and vegetables in it.
4. Walk/Run/Ride a Bike Everywhere
Yes, I understand that it is cold. I understand that Fraser is all the way across campus from Daisy Hill. But I also understand that young adults are supposed to take roughly 8,000-10,000 steps a day, while the average person only takes under 5,000. The additional calories burnt by simply walking can be in the hundreds if you stick to it.
5. Meatless Monday (Or Whenever)
I would say the easiest way to lose weight without ever lifting a finger is to be a vegetarian for a bit. Previously, I was one and lost around 9 pounds within the first two weeks. If you are a meat lover though, and stopping completely seems impossible, picking out just one or two days a week that will be dedicated to being meat-free is enough for your body to do a bit of a cleanse.
6. Low Calorie Snack Packs are Bull
Try to avoid the snacks that claim to be low calorie or low in fat because they are almost always high in other things such as sodium – a main cause of bloating. If you have a craving for something that is not the healthiest choice, just eat it. One bad food will not make you lose progress and abstaining from it could cause a binge later.
7. Sleep
No one believes me when I say that sleep is the most important aspect to looking and feeling healthy. There are so many ways that it benefits you: sleep promotes cell regrowth and is the body’s natural cleansing cycle. Studies have shown that you are less likely to eat when you are not hungry at night, and of course the body requires energy throughout the day.
Even the most unmotivated, fitness-hating college student can look like they try with just a tiny bit of effort. Spring break has never been easier to plan for with all of the extra time you will have by not going to the gym!