The days are getting colder. Assignments, quizzes, and midterms are piling up. You have less time to cook meals for yourself and you usually end up buying fast food right? OH and the gym! No, not today? You haven’t been running lately or working out, and you find yourself in a sitting position, studying for hours straight, right?  Suddenly, BOOM – extra 15 (more or less) pounds gained. But don’t freak out! With all the new changes in your environment, it’s only natural.  So this is what you can do to battle the extra weight gain.
STOP EATING AT THE WRONG TIME! Try to get in, at most, 3 meals a day with snacks in between at the APPROPRIATE timing. That means no eating a full meal at 1 a.m. right before bed.
STOP BUYING JUNK FOOD! Yes, we should treat ourselves once at a time, but do not rely on fast foods for daily meals.
GET THOSE GREENS! As human beings, we need a balanced diet, so as much as you hate them…fruits and veggies are friends, not foes. Eat them as snacks or dress them up with sauce to make a delicious meal! Your body will thank you!!
STOP SITTING ALL THE TIME.
There are 24 hours in a day, so get up and move! You don’t need to work out for an hour, but a 15-minute high intensity workout is just as good to burn calories and get the heart pumping! You can also repeat the 15-minute workout throughout the day, for example before bed and before class!
WALK! Walk, cycle, or run to your classes instead of taking the bus. Walk to and from home. Even if you live far away, this is a great daily exercise that your body will become accustomed to. Before you know it, you’ll have built up great stamina!
Remember, moderation is key. Don’t starve yourself, but don’t stuff yourself. Don’t over-exert your body, but don’t sit still all day either. FIND A BALANCE THAT WORKS FOR YOU!
And don’t stress! It will definitely be worth it in the end as long as you feel healthy and comfortable with yourself! YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL THE WAY YOU ARE!