It’s not easy to live a healthy lifestyle while at school. There are just too many temptations that could lead you through the front doors of a Burger King or Chipotle three days a week, and we all know that's not a good idea. And so, to make sure the unwanted pounds don’t find their way into your favorite pair of jeans, here are some helpful tips to stay happy and healthy during the semester:

1. Get yourself a workout buddy!

The best motivation is having a buddy that’s willing to hit the gym with you. Whether it's waking up early together for a morning workout or pushing each other to get some cardio in after class, having a friend to help you along the way is essential.

2. Healthy snacks are key!

Yes, healthy food is delicious! You didn't know? Well, veggies, fruit salad and popcorn are a great way to satisfy your taste buds and your conscience.

3. Elevator vs. Stairs

Stairs! Stairs! Stairs! I get it. The elevator is God’s gift to the dorm world, but really, the stairs are the perfect way to fit in some exercise when your schedule is a little too cramped to get a workout in.

4. Drink a lot of water!

A snack after class is always great, but food after 10 pm is NOT your friend. There’s a serious difference between hunger and boredom. Learn it because although Domino's at midnight sounds great, it will not help you reach your summer body goal. Instead drink some water! Drinking water will help to fill you up with no calories or regrets.

5. Avoid all fast food. I mean it.

Just don’t. Trust me, although it tastes great going down, you will not feel good after eating it.

6. Don't get discouraged!

It’s okay if you don’t lose weight one week! Don’t stress over it! Just because you didn’t lose weight on the scale doesn’t mean that you didn’t lose fat. There is a huge possibility that you lost five pounds of fat, but gained five pounds of muscle in return.

Go with how you feel, not with what the scale says! And so what if you only lost a pound? That’s awesome! One pound doesn’t sound like much, but one pound is also four sticks of butter! So guess what? You lost four sticks of butter, not “just one pound!” Keep going!

7. Cheat days are acceptable.

There will be days where a bacon cheeseburger is the only thing on your mind. Eat a bacon cheeseburger! It’s okay to cheat every once in a while. One bad meal will not ruin everything. Eat the cheeseburger, keep the mindset, and keep moving forward.

8. Stay with it!

You can do it! Just think, by the end of the semester you're going to look and feel great!