Staying healthy in college isn’t easy; the struggle of healthy campus habits
By Mollie McKinley // Staff Writer
I strode down the Kester International Promenade, the cool night air hitting my face, making my nose red and my eyes water. One rapid step at a time, I approached the one and a half mile mark. With my FitBit Surge weighing heavily on my wrist, I looked down at its small, backlit screen. I was running a 14:30 mile pace.
I must confess, running has never been my strong suit.
You see, I used to be a gym rat, heavily influenced by all things health and fitness. I was an avid swimmer in high school (hence being terrible at running), I wore a size four in blue jeans, and the buttons on my button-downs never pulled apart in retaliation. My sophomore year was no different; I drank protein shakes every day, ate strictly kale salads with one boiled egg and lots of grilled chicken and rice.
I reflected on that glorious time in my life 30 pounds ago as I collapsed on a black bench outside of the Qubein School of Communication. “‘Till I Collapse” by Eminem ironically began to play through my headphones.
How had it come to this?
It was quite possibly the result of how convenient french fries were, and still are, on this campus. Maybe it was because I had a car and instead of walking to class, I drove. By the disapproving look on my mother’s face when I told her I needed to buy a bigger size in jeans and shorts, I knew that my life was taking a bad turn. The winter depression had me packing on the pounds like a hibernating brown bear. Apparently, my body couldn’t afford those changes in habit.
So, this March, shortly after getting home for Spring Break, I vowed that I would not let my unhealthy choices run my life anymore. I hated how I looked, but it was mostly because my body deserved much better.
And that’s how I got here, sweating and panting in the most unattractive fashion in front of my college peers. I know what you’re thinking; all college students make those vows to themselves at one point or another. They are meaningless proposals, empty promises, and they will be back to their old, unhealthy ways in a week. While that’s exactly how I thought it would go for me, I turned out to be surprisingly adamant about it. With social media being the way it is, it’s hard to not want that Victoria’s Secret model tummy, or that fitness guru’s amazing legs, or that body builder’s incredible strength.
Want to know what no one wants? A pudgy, pale, 20-year-old, mozzarella-stick-loving body.
I’m a firm believer in the saying “you do you,” because I feel it’s important to be who you want to be, look how you want to look, and do what you want to do. Personally, I didn’t want to weigh 163 pounds anymore. So, on March 13, I began the trek. I was excited for the new lifestyle, yet dreaded it simultaneously. How hard could it be?
Very hard.
The first run was hell. This isn’t one of those stories where I tell you that when I went for a run, I had a magical, enlightening experience. No. It was grueling, sweaty, and I wanted to cry the entire way. But I have to admit, since that first day, I have run two miles every single evening. Call it determination, call it a crippling desire to look good in a bikini. Despite my quite pitiful times at the end of each session, I began to feel more and more impressed with myself. That was what was important to me—making me happy.
But what do I know? I’m an English Literature major with no experience in personal training or motivational speaking. Well, I’ll be the first to say that I hate being preached at. But I firmly believe in this lifestyle because it’s already affected my life in many positive ways. So, in hopes that I might help someone through their journey, I’ll let you in on a couple of important details that made these past two-and-a-half weeks a success.
1. I’ll start off with an easy one. It’s no secret that your body is mostly made of water…so replenish it with water! Drinking a gallon of water a day will make you feel better, it’ll clear up your acne, and it will curb your appetite. I’m not saying this is fool-proof, because you’re still human. You’ll always have groggy days here and there, your face might always be acne-prone and you might always be craving chocolate. However, your body will thank you in ways you didn’t know existed.
2. Learn to love fruits and vegetables. There’s really not an explanation for this one, but I will say, if you can enjoy a salad or a fruit cup, you’ve already cut out half the calories you would eat in a normal day. Just don’t ruin it with salad dressings…those are tricky. Our cafeteria offers amazing fruits and veggies every single day, so never make an excuse. This brings me to number three…
3. Stop making excuses. You might be big-boned, but it is still possible to look good in college. Stop telling yourself that you hate working out, because you might love it. Stop saying you will do it later; do it now. If you’ve got some free time, it’s never a bad idea to go on a walk, run, bike ride, what have you. Whatever you do, make sure you aren’t underestimating your abilities as a living, breathing human.
4. Sleeping is the most important part of your day. At that, you’re going to sleep much better when you start living healthier. Dreading that 7:50 a.m. class? Go for a run in the evening and then see if you want to stay up late. I’d put money on you being asleep by 10 p.m. Not only does working out help you sleep, but nourishing your body with healthy foods helps you stay asleep, and in the morning, stay awake. After all, a rested human is a happy human.
5. Patience is key—results aren’t instant. After one run or session at the gym, you won’t see results. Even after a week you won’t. You’ll feel a difference before anything else. In my opinion, that’s been the most fulfilling part. Feeling overall better about my body makes me want to continue the healthy lifestyle that I’ve adopted. In time, you’ll start shedding those pounds.
6. Lastly, be positive and believe in your abilities. Yup, go ahead and put that on a corny motivational poster with a mountain setting in the backdrop. Laugh at it all you want, but it is what’s going to make all of the previous five tips remotely possible. Surrounding yourself with negativity is the worst thing to do.
In your endeavors, I hope that you can succeed in dropping the Freshman Fifteen, or however many pounds. If it isn’t weight loss you’re looking for, I hope that you can become healthier and happier.
And if not, there’s always pizza.