Get Back to Healthy After Finals Week!

Finals week is FINALLY over! Now that you tackled that Z score on your stats test, performed the perfect monologue for theater, and so eloquently analyzed Modernity in your English thesis on Edith Wharton, you feel like you have taken care of everything!

Everything… except for yourself.

The epidemic runs rampant through our campus every term: Countless Lawrentians camp out at the Mudd Library with their Red Bulls and whatever junk food their remaining Culinary Cash can buy them, pulling all-nighters to get their work done. For many of us, the approaching deadlines of projects and papers were more important than adequate amounts of food, sleep and exercise we needed to keep our bodies going.

So now that Finals week is over, you may be feeling a bit out of it - emotionally and physically. How can you get those skinny jeans to fit again and feel awesome? Follow these simple steps to re-invigorate your diet and fitness lifestyle and get back on track!

Go Green: Not only do green vegetables contain the goodies (Calcium and Vitamin K), but they are high in water content and fiber. Incorporating 6 to 8 servings of vegetables throughout the day is a low calorie option that will make you feel fuller, longer. Reap the benefits of this heart-healthy food group by eating the following: broccoli, spinach, asparagus, kale, green onions, green beans, green peas, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, cabbage, and the list goes on and on.

And if you’re not a big veggie eater, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered, literally! Spruce up your greens with flavor by adding olive oil, sparsely sprinkling some salt and pepper, and/or dipping them in your favorite low-cal salad dressing!

Limit your soda and up your water intake: H2O is your friend, my fellow HC-ers. Did you know that over half of your body is plain ol’ water? So give your body what it wants AND needs! Your body loses water every day through processes that the average girl doesn’t think of. For example, every time you speak, exhale, raise your hand in class, etc… you are constantly reducing  this hydrogen and oxygen compound that keeps you moving. This can have effects on everything from your skin to your attitude. So do yourselves a favor, and keep filling up that Sigg.

Do you want fries with that? NO! There’s nothing more appetizing than carbs. Here’s the good news: You can consume them, just don’t eat them fried! Cut out those French fries, onion rings, and chicken fingers. Replace the fried temptations with the following meal alternatives: baked red potatoes, stir-fried onions, and grilled lemon herb chicken breast. Simple solutions, less fat intake. (Your body will thank you, I promise.)

Along with these hints, make sure to get at least seven hours of sleep and lace up your running shoes multiple times a week! Remember, however, not to be stressed about your progress. Getting back into shape and feeling good about yourself is a process, and everyone gets there in their own way!

Take this all with a grain of salt, love your body and treat it as a temple. At the end of the day, it’s not about how you look but how you feel. After your hard work at the end of the term, you deserve to treat your mind and body with respect. Yes, fitting into those skinny jeans is your goal, but it’s not the be-all-end-all. Good luck!

Photo Sources:
http://www.babybellies.ca/index.php?pr=How-Much-Water-Do-We-Really-Need-Article
http://www.sallybernstein.com/food/recipes/entrees/herb_chicken.html