If you’re anything like me, the week or so before spring break is all about being healthy. Whether this means strictly limiting my food intake, hitting the gym every day (well, at least trying to) or throwing out all the sugary snacks in my room before they tempt me, I go psycho-fit in the days leading up to break. I mean, since spring break usually revolves around the 3 B’s (Bikinis, the Beach, and Boys…) it definitely provides a lot of motivation for collegiettes to slim down, ASAP.
But can seven days of being a health nut really make a difference in the long run? Sure, you may drop a pound or two and temporarily feel better in your bathing suit, but spring break is (sadly), only a week long. So what happens after break? What happens when you notice your tan fading, but your cocktail-and-ice-cream-on-the-beach-food-baby staying put in the pit of your stomach? The truth is, though we may spend the week before spring break being extra-healthy, the week of spring break itself tends to undo all the hard work. It’s been three weeks since break ended, and now I’m starting to feel semi-bloated, pale, and pretty much ambition-less to keep up with my healthy ways.
But you know what ladies? While Spring Break only lasts for a week, summer lasts for three months… and it’s right around the corner! So instead of a “get thin quick” diet with little substance, now is the perfect time to start seriously focusing on making a real commitment to looking your best. There are five weeks until Posties, and that’s enough time to make some new, positive and EASY choices about exercise and diet.
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Of course, I’m always skeptical when someone uses the word “easy” to refer to diet and exercise. But with our busy class schedules and demanding extracurricular activities, a collegiette truly needs to find an uncomplicated fitness routine. The FDA indicates that 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise most days of the week is all it takes to be in your best shape. This means if you work out 4-5 days of the week for 30 minutes (just enough time to elevate your heart rate and break a sweat), you will lose weight! The treadmill and elliptical are perfect for this kind of exercise. Put on your headphones and pound away, 30 minutes will be over before you even notice.
If you like exercising with others, the awesome classes offered at the gym are a good fit too (I love Cycle N Tone and Ab Attack). Also, now that the weather’s nicer, you can try to think outside the box with your cardio routines: Walk to Simply Yummy with your friends instead of driving, go for a jog on the Reynolda trails or on the track or just jog to freshman parking (…kidding!)
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Since it can be hard to make time to go to the gym, especially because it’s always crowded at the most ideal times (between 5-8 pm), focusing on caloric intake is a great, straightforward way to be healthier. Here a few tips to losing weight, without actually lifting a finger!
1. Cut out all fried foods. Just because they have hamburgers and fries in the Pit every day, doesn’t mean you have to get hamburgers and fries from the Pit…every day. In fact, avoid the grill station altogether (unless it’s the one day of the semester when they actually have grilled chicken).
2. Keep healthy snacks in your room. You’re bound to get hungry at some point during the day or night. Reaching for almonds, raisins or low-fat granola is so much better than munching on a snack like pretzels, which are just empty calories.
3. Know how much hummus is too much hummus. There’s a misconception that hummus is healthy no matter what. While it is full of fiber, iron and protein, it’s also chock full of fat. If you opt for Pit hummus as a side with your wrap/salad/hot meal, make sure you enjoy it with carrots instead of chips.
4. An apple a day… Getting off campus to enjoy a meal at The Loop or Midtown is a joyous occasion for any collegiette. Since you’re so ecstatic about not having to eat Pit food, you may be tempted to gorge on a not-so-healthy meal. In order to prevent this, try eating an apple before you head out with your friends. It will help you feel full faster, that way you’ll only eat half of your barbecue chicken pizza, instead of the whole thing!
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Collegiettes, in the large scheme of things, dropping a few pounds really isn’t that big a deal. But with summer coming up, I know it can sure feel like it! Instead of going “fitness OCD”, make a promise to yourself this time to make long-term healthy changes. Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather by going for a walk or jog after class. Replenish your pantry shelves with smart snacks that you won’t feel guilty about eating. And if all else fails, just sit out on the sun deck! It’s been proven everyone looks better with a tan.
Happy fitness!
*Photography by Lauren Friezo and Grace Boatwright