Overcoming college health obstacles
We all know the difficulty in establishing any routine in college, much less maintain a consistently healthy diet and fitness schedule. When you are suffering the effects of the ten too beers you had the night before or your friends are getting ready to go to the club the idea of putting on your gym shorts is less than appealing. Here are a few commons obstacles keeping your from the healthy lifestyle of your body deserves and tips for how to overcome them: Hangovers How many times have you hit up the local greasy spoon for a Texas cheese sandwich or a pile of scrambled eggs, bacon and a stack of flapjacks? Nothing seems better for a hangover than some grease on your stomach. Once the damage is done there aren’t many options for comfort food that will soak up the alcohol besides attempting to cook a healthier version at home. The best defense against hangovers it to be proactive. Alternate water between your drinks, stick to one type of alcohol, make sure to eat a good meal before drinking, take B Complex and L-Cysteine (good for relieving hangover grogginess and lessening the effects of the toxins), drink orange juice before you go to bed the Vitamin C helps you recover, and of course learn to drink in moderation. Parties & Social Events It can be surprising to find out the amount of calories that you have taken in from alcohol. Fruity drinks and beers can rack up hundreds of calories in a matter of minutes. Again a great idea is to alternate water between drinks. Remember wine is the least offensive option for overall calories, as well as offering some health benefits. If you are a hard liquor type of girl try to stick to drinks with low calorie partners (i.e. diet coke and rum, diet tonic and vodka) and obviously lite beers are much lower in calories than the darker options. Easy Fast Food Dollar menus, quick and convenient meals, and the wonderful taste of a McDonald’s hamburger can make you forget your diet in a second. While the ease of running through the local drive thru can make your life easier, it is terrible for your waistline and according to some studies can result in permanent negative effects to your health. Many common excuses for relying on fast food is having no food in your home, not knowing how to cook, and having no time. Take the time to make weekly shopping trips to keep your pantry and fridge stocked with healthy foods. Start with easy meals and develop your talent in the kitchen, and think ahead about your meals. Cooking at home will not only save you the fat and calories of fast food, but in the long run it will also save you money. Lack of a Workout Partner Many college aged women have not yet exhausted the power of their youthful metabolism. The truth is some of them may never have to go to the gym or watch what they eat to remain their slim physiques. For this reason it can be difficult to find a workout buddy, much less one with similar weight loss or health goals. Learn to understand and accept your body’s individual needs and focus on creating a routine for yourself, independent of another person. You will be more likely to stick to it in the long run when your motivation to hit them gym comes from within. College provides you with the perfect opportunity to develop a fitness routine and stick with it for life. Your college probably has a gym full of great machines and weights, a schedule of group classes, and if your lucky an Olympic sized pool and track. And the best part is, more than likely your membership is included in your tuition and its probably located within steps of your classes. There is no better time nor an excuse for not taking full advantage of your available resources. Lauren Blankenship is currently working on her mid-year review, excited about finalizing her wedding plans, and can’t wait to be sipping sangria on the beaches of Mexico.
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