10 Realistic Tips for College Students Wanting To Live A Healthier Lifestyle | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

10 Realistic Tips for College Students Wanting To Live A Healthier Lifestyle

Because who ACTUALLY drinks a gallon of water a day??

38
10 Realistic Tips for College Students Wanting To Live A Healthier Lifestyle
Work It Daily

Whether you're fresh into college or fresh out of college, the "Freshman Fifteen" is a real thing. However, it isn't the end of the world. To get back in shape and love your body again (or just rediscover a healthy balance), here are ten realistic tips for college students looking to get back on track!


1. Drink half a glass of water every hour.

I know from experience it is quite difficult to drink eight glasses of water a day (especially when you don't drink eight glasses of anything in a day), but if you cut the water consumption into intervals, it makes it much easier to get through. Even if you're only awake for twelve hours, that's still six glasses of water, and I'm sure that's more than what you usually drink, anyway.

(Also, always order water when you go out to eat. It will save you calories and money!)

2. Swap chips for popcorn.

My whole world changed when I discovered Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP. Not only are her Sea Salt Popcorn and Lightly Sweet Popcorn healthier alternatives for fried potato chips and other sweets at 35 calories per cup, but when you need a fix, she also offers eleven additional flavors guaranteed to blow your mind and your taste buds.

(You can find BOOMCHICKAPOP small bags at Walmart and Target, sometimes on sale at Crest, or you can order bigger bags via Amazon.)

3. Wear fun socks when you work out.

I'm a former college athlete, and one of my favorite parts of game day was wearing my fun socks under my pants. We also had crazy sock contests at morning workouts to lighten the mood. Socks are cheap, and they become a motivator to go to the gym, so you can show them off. (You could even have a weekly contest with your workout partner to see who buys lunch!)

4. Have a vegetable with every meal at lunch and dinner.

As much as I wish otherwise, french fries aren't a vegetable. However, that doesn't mean you should eat a burger or chicken nuggets by themselves. Buy some frozen veggies, keep them in the freezer, and then make a batch for the week to go with your meals. You could also buy some fresh and dip them in hummus or light ranch as a snack.

5. Invest in a baby crockpot.

A one and a half to two-quart crockpot costs around $20, and it makes just the perfect amount of food for you (with leftovers) or you plus one. A crockpot is ideal for college students on the go because you throw the ingredients in, turn the dial, and you don't have to do anything else until it's time to eat!

6. Work out when and how it is convenient for you.

I use workouts in the morning as a way to wake up, and I like to get them out of the way first thing. However, if you dread when your alarm goes off, don't workout in the morning. When you're up at midnight binge watching Netflix, you could use that time to hit the gym instead.

As well, don't feel like you need to be at the gym for hours on end (unless that's what you enjoy). You can get just as much done in a concentrated 30-45 minutes as you can stretching out your workouts.

7. Swap out regular pasta and bread for whole grain.

Bread and pasta aren't great for you anyway, but whole grain is definitely better for you than white. It's less processed, and it provides more nutrients than regular bread/pasta. Throw in a can of tuna, and you have a quick, easy, and tasty pasta salad with good carbs, protein, and fats (or you can add a boiled egg and some light mayo to the tuna for the same effect on a sandwich!).

8. Get your sleep.

I know this is easier said than done, but I also know you can find ways to get more sleep. Whether it's a fifteen-minute nap in between classes or going to bed an hour earlier, sleep is essential for your physical and mental health and productivity.

9. Have two cheat days.

To be completely honest, it just isn't realistic for me to go six days straight with no mishaps (and I know I'm not alone!). Contrary to popular belief, it is okay to have two days a week to treat yourself. It's so much easier to go two or three days with a break, and this personally helped me stay consistent instead of having a cravings meltdown on healthy day four or five.

10. Moderate your alcohol intake.

I won't even lie to you... I love wine. However, I can't drink a bottle by myself every night and expect nothing to happen. You can go out with your friends on the weekends, or have a drink at home after a rough day of class, but be mindful of how much you put in your body. You can overdrink your calories just as much as you can overeat them.


So college friends, take care of yourselves. Find your balance and get back on track to a healthier you. You can do it!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

188286
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

13710
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

456950
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26079
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments