For most students, school takes up a lot of energy and time. Making healthy choices can be difficult when your are living the student lifestyle. Students are often too busy with school, homework, part-time jobs, extra curricular activities, and social engagements to find time to stay fit. As a full-time student with a part-time job, I find it takes a lot commitment and self-control to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
Over the years, I have fallen off the fitness wagon many times all for the same reasons. I didn't have time to make a lunch so I grabbed an unhealthy food, I had too much homework to exercise, or I was just too tired or lazy to care about my health. I ended up feeling tired, depressed, unmotivated, and stressed out.
For me a healthy lifestyle entails being in a state of general mental and physical well-being as the result of exercise and proper nutrition. When I am following this kind of lifestyle I feel energetic, confident, happy, and motivated. Feeling this way inspires me to keep trying when I fall off course. Even though I still struggle with making healthy choices, I have found some techniques that help me to to be healthier.
Here are 5 fitness tips for students:
1. Plan and prepare
As a student I spent my days running from home to school, class to class, school to work, and work to home. By the time I get home I am either too exhausted to think about what to cook or have too much homework to cook a healthy meal and exercise. So to make healthier food choices throughout my day, I plan ahead. Every Sunday I plan what I am going to eat that week for every meal. I write down the groceries I will need and I make sure to go and buy them.
Next, I try to make meal time easier by preparing some of the food I will eat that week. I cut up all of my vegetables and put them into little plastic bags so I can grab it and go. I make a big fruit salad and put it into 5 containers. I also put nuts and fiber cereal into small plastic bags so that when I'm making my lunches and food for the day, it is ready to go.
I do the same for my dinners. I cook chicken breasts, brown rice, and make whole wheat pasta so that I have healthy dinner ready in my refrigerator. Planning and preparing my meals allows me to make quick and simple healthy food decisions.
2. Choose a FUN workout
Yes, I said fun! There are plenty workouts and exercise programs out there that are tough but still fun to do. You are not going to workout if you hate what you are doing. I get bored very fast so I switch my workout routines. I don't enjoy going to the gym so I do high energy DVD workouts like Chalean Extreme and Turbo Jam. I also do hot yoga at Moksha once week for something different.
Whatever you choose to do make sure you schedule your workouts. I find that it is best to exercise first thing in the morning. It's hard to get up sometimes but I am usually too tired when I get home after school and work to do it. Also, remember how good you feel after a really hard workout, use this to motivate you when you don't want to do it.
3. Keep track of your goals and progress
Whatever your goals are make sure to write them down and keep track of how you are doing. If your goal is to lose weight than have a target outfit. I don't like weighing myself because it can be discouraging. Your weight can change depending on how much water you drink, your hormones among other variables. Having an outfit that you would like to fit into is a great way to motivated yourself and see how well your are doing. If your goal is to simply feel healthier, keep a journal of how you feel, your energy level, and your mood.
4. Don't turn to food when you are under stress
My biggest weakness is turning to junk food when I am under pressure or feeling down. Eating junk does make me feel better while I am eating the chips or cookies, but it makes me feel much worse after the fact. So instead of stuffing my face, I find taking a walk, talking it out with a friend, meditating or stretching, or taking a break as better ways to relieve stress.
5. Get enough sleep
Students often suffer from extreme sleep deprivation. I find that when I am lacking sleep I crave carbs and starch. I feel hungry when really I am just tired. I schedule my sleep time like I do the rest of my day. Make sure to get at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep at night to prevent the exhaustion cravings.
If you are sleep deprived and craving unhealthy food try taking a nap, drinking a tall glass of water, or going for a walk before eating something.
These tips are meant as guidelines to help you reach your health goals. The most important thing to remember is to find out what works for you!
