My Personal Experience
Growing up, my relationship with the nuclear “healthy” lifestyle had been quite fluctuant. Coming from a traditional Indian household, where my mother usually prepared my meals, and only really exposed to any consistent exercise from physical education classes I was made to attend, I had not truly conceptualized a routine where my bodily health was at the center of my productivity. I did not take proper charge of my eating habits or curate a workout regiment that would benefit me whilst also seamlessly integrating itself within my schedule, characterized by overwhelming coursework and extracurriculars. As a result, I had developed a very intensely negative self-image, wherein I would internalize sharp feelings of jealousy towards other women and girls who I found myself wanting to emulate but had no clue where to start – many of whom were on the front cover of magazines, or posted on social media that I would come across whilst “doom-scrolling.”
Navigating Freshman Year
Upon entering my first-year in university, despite not having many skills in cooking, meal preparation or even calorie-consciousness, I was determined to take charge of my health; attempting to finalize a strict routine of physical exercise and healthy eating habits that would assist in boosting my self-confidence and contributing to my overall well-being. However this would manifest in a somewhat unhealthy manner – having access to a dining hall, many times filled to the brim with food that was either high in fat or simply inedible for me considering my dietary restrictions as a vegetarian, I began skipping meals.
Reflection, and Next Steps
This is simply not healthy, in any way. I jumped into independence without any foresight or guidance into how to care for myself in a sustainable way; contributing to cycles of self-punishment as my insecurities grew and prospects of proper self-care began to drift away. Having the summer to contemplate the year in detail, however, drove me to realize that centralizing core tenants of healthy living, such as diet and exercise, were dependent on my self-regulation skills – not a pre-tailored, one-size-fits-all dogma that would suit individuals in a universally-applicable sense. I needed to understand my own preferences first before diving into such an exploration of the self. Thus, it became important to me to educate young women and girls on approaching health and wellness with a mindset grounded in self-awareness and flexibility.
Meal Plans and Campus Life
As a first-year, I lived at Parkside Residence – an off-campus facility associated with the University of Toronto. During my time there, I was on a year-inclusive meal-plan, essentially giving me access to prepared food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is a common thread for many residences to offer relatively unhealthy options throughout the day, leaving students, such as myself, at a loss on how to make balanced choices. In conjunction with unlimited access and an unreliable schedule, I often was not able to properly nourish myself with a proper meal, instead relying on quick fixes to provide energy boosts. In order to combat this, I suggest students do their best to mix-and-match from different stations, such as salad bar(s), fruit stands, and the like in order to construct a custom balanced meal. Additionally, opting for pre-made dishes inclusive of the major food groups, such as vegetables, protein and whole grains, may also serve to build a habit of mindful eating. Moreover, I encourage small changes such as choosing water over sugary, highly-caffeinated drinks whenever possible.
As a student myself, I am aware of how difficult schedules may get in the way of maintaining consistent food-intake, often having classes overlap with allotted dining times. As a solution, I found myself setting alarms throughout the day as little reminders to nourish myself with resources that were available to me – opting for protein bars, small salads and fruit cups to supply me with the energy I needed to finish my day.
Adjusting to being your own arbiter for the first time can be an overwhelming, and often frightening, experience. However, prioritizing yourself is not a crime. In fact, caring for your mental and physical health is essential for growth and long-term success.