Virtually everyone's New Year's resolution is to lose weight/be healthier in 2018. And by now, most of the people who had that resolution have given up. The problem with making a resolution is that it can become to strict and binding, hence why people cave and give up. So if this is you, this is your pathway for redemption. These 5 little steps are not resolutions, but instead small changes in your habits and mindset that can allow you to achieve your desired goals.
1. Walk.
Walk to class, down into your college town, or to the store. Avoid using Ubers and buses if you could easily walk - you'll save money and get some easy LISS [Long Intensity Steady State] cardio done. Check your Health app [preloaded onto iPhones] at the end of the day to show how many steps/miles you walked. Try to hit a baseline of 10,000 steps/day and document how many miles you walk. By implementing this small change, you'll be surprised just how much ground you cover.
2. Don't eat late.
Try to avoid eating dinner at 5 p.m. and then another one at 10 p.m. when you're hanging out with friends or doing homework. We all know how tempting Pizza X is and how convenient is it to order off BTown Menus. Having a satisfying dinner early will allow you to avoid that sluggish feel the morning after having greasy Chinese at 11 p.m. the night before.
3. Don't drink [jk! Just cut back a little]
If you choose to drink, be smart about it. Instead of drinking 4-6 nights a week, cut back to maybe 2 or 3. Or instead of mixing drinks with regular soda, use diet. Alcohol has tons of useless, empty calories that have zero health benefits. And trust me, you won't miss that excess amount at all.
4. Substitute instead of cut out.
Cutting out a food/treat entirely can lead to bingeing and caving. Instead of your vent blended frappuccino [with whip please!], do a cool lime refresher or switch full-fat milk for almond milk. Save the extra whip for a "treat yourself" moment once in a while. That way, you never really cut anything out entirely, but instead, savor the times you get your treat.
5. Get enough sleep
Pretty self-explanatory, but the more sleep you get, the less you'll crave sugar, fatty foods. Going to sleep earlier and having a good night's rest will allow you to avoid oversleeping and reaching for the most convenient food option [Pop-tarts, sugary cereals, donuts] when you're running late.
