Most collegiettes strive to be healthy, well-rounded people, but in our busy lives, often something has to be put on the back burner. If you’re finding you don’t have the time to hit the gym or grocery store as much as you’d like, don’t worry! There are still plenty of ways to get healthier with just a few changes.
Eat Healthier
It can be super hard to eat healthy on a meal plan or a tight budget. The easiest way to make a change is to start small. Try swapping out your favorite sugary beverage like soda or juice with water or flavored seltzer to save calories at dinner, and to avoid some unnecessary sugars (plus, water is usually free!). If you have a sweet tooth, don’t deny yourself the occasional sweet, but limit them! Swap some of your snacking for healthier options like apples and peanut butter. Check out Pinterest for some awesome recipes!
Never deny yourself food when you’re hungry, even if you’re trying to lose weight; chances are you’ll just stuff your face with whatever is available as soon as your resolve wavers. Try eating healthy snacks consistently throughout the day to stave off the hunger monster and to keep your energy up. If your main goal is weight loss or gain, try a free calorie counting app like Lose It!. Don’t get upset if you have trouble sticking to your calorie goals though, especially at first! Calories aren’t the marker of health, but it can be eye opening to see how many or few calories you’re actually consuming each day, and then make small adjustments.
Finally, if you find you often have to eat on-the-go, try bringing portable fruits and veggies as a snack instead of a bag of chips or a candy bar. Not only are they healthier, but also pretty inexpensive. If plain apples or carrots sound sort of bland, grab a small container of hummus or peanut butter to go with it!
Exercise
Getting enough exercise can seem like an especially daunting task for busy college women. However, like eating healthy, there are many ways to fit in a few changes that go a long way.
If you can find ten spare minutes in your day, you can squeeze in a decent workout. Search YouTube for quick workouts that are right for you, like one of the ten minute workouts from POPSUGAR Fitness. These videos are perfect for a few quick routines you can squeeze in between waking up and brushing your teeth. You can also download their app ACTIVE for even more easy workouts! If even ten minutes seems impossible, put your multitasking to the test! Try doing calf raises while washing your face, or pointing and flexing your toes in class. If you have an hour or two but still can’t afford a gym membership, try making daily tasks just a little bit harder on yourself. If you need to go somewhere a few T stops away, try walking instead. If you have class on the fourth floor, take the stairs. If you need something across the room, get up and grab it yourself instead of asking a roommate. You might be surprised how much more you move when you commit to just a few changes.
The important thing to remember is that while eating healthy and exercising are important, the key is balance. Everyone has a different diet, healthy weight, and exercise routine, but hopefully you can implement a few of these small changes into your daily life!