Winter break is a period in life meant for spending quality time with the family, getting cozy with that special someone, going to awkward parties with people you once thought were cool, and, last but certainly not least, eating enough food to feed a starving community in Africa.
Nowhere included in this combination is the necessity to restrain one’s appetite at the dinner table, the dessert table or in front of the refrigerator. Also not included is the desire to get off of one’s expanding butt and go for a four-mile run. Most students see winter break as time off from all of the stresses associated with college, and that often includes one’s diet and exercise regimen.
But, as many of you know, spring break is three short months away. And that means bikinis, beaches and boys. A frightening prospect, I know, but it is one that must be faced, especially when we’ve all reserved a special place in the back of our closets for that pair of jeans with the uncooperative button.
Luckily, I have good news— it’s only January. That means you have more than enough time to get back into fighting shape before the holiday five turns into the freshman (or sophomore or junior) 15.
How to go about this transformation? It’s easy: A (mostly) healthy diet, sufficient exercise, bottles on bottles of water and an ample dose of relaxation. I recognize this is all easier said than done. But if you get down the basics, I promise the rest will come easily.
Over the next three months, I want to help y’all achieve the body you envision frolicking on a beach during spring break. I want to make each and every one of you feel confident enough to take off your cover-up and ask that cute guy to put sunscreen on your back. Life is meant to be enjoyed, especially while you’re in college. Nothing can or should restrain you from being the confident girl you secretly are, even if it takes a little digging to find her.
But before we embark on this journey, it is important to note that I am NOT encouraging y’all to become size 2’s. We all have different body types (as hard as that might be to understand sometimes) and not all of us are meant to wear sample sizes. If you have a lot of muscle tone from years of playing sports, like me, you probably shouldn’t be trying to fit into your model-thin friend’s jeans. But if you are naturally thin and dainty, there is nothing wrong with wearing a small size. I don’t mean to sound cliché, but we are all different, and you will gain absolutely nothing from comparing yourself to those around you.
So before you do anything, take a few minutes to sit back, relax and accept the body you have right now. I once read that guys can’t even tell when a girl has gained five pounds, so don’t worry that your boyfriend/hookup will suddenly hate you if you ate too many cookies over break. But there’s nothing wrong with trying to be a little healthier, and that’s something we can all aspire to do, especially in the spirit of 2012. After all, if the world really is going to end, I’d at least like to go out looking hot. Who’s with me?
Check back next week for tips on how to eat for both nutrition and pleasure.