I hate to break it to you, folks, but we are aging. Like fine wine, we are (supposedly) becoming more mature, and with that maturity comes responsibility. We no longer have our pubescent fast-acting metabolisms. Before, we could hide all evidence of stealing an extra cookie before bedtime. But now, although we have become sneakier with age, we now can’t hide the evidence of the pudgy pounds we’ve started to acquire as we enter into our 20s. Myself included. And with spring upon us and summer approaching, I am working on being more mindful of how I take care of my body by what I am putting into it. No, I am not dieting, but I am making some small adjustments within the ballin' budget of a broke college student as to what I stock in my dorm room.

First, I had to toss out the bag of Reese's I keep tucked away in my running shorts drawer. Oh, the irony with that stash spot. Anyways, now I am being a bit more mindful before I pick up a sweet treat. Like our mothers always told us, don’t spoil your dinner! Eating things like chocolate or chips before having an actual meal can lead to empty calories with no nutritional benefits. So instead of reaching for a Snickers, ask yourself if you’re really hungry. And if you are, instead of a Snickers, have a snack with protein like a small can of tuna or a cup of nuts. If you’re really dying for some sugary sweetness, have some natural sugar by having an orange or a kiwi or two. Kiwis are filled with good stuff, including more potassium than a banana, and not to mention all the vitamin C.

Second, I deleted Papa John's phone number. Pizza is delicious, because it's about 60 percent greasy bread with tons of carbs. Although carbs are important to fuel us for our daily activities, most of the time we have too much of them. So before filling your plate with pizza and pasta at the dining halls, get about a handful sized amount of chicken or another meat for protein and a handful of veggies. Yuck, I know. Nobody likes vegetables, so add a little flare to your veggies by adding peanut butter to celery and carrots, or maybe just a smidgen of ranch. If you eat all of your veggies and protein and find yourself still hungry, then it’s okay to go hit up the pasta bar. You’ll notice you’ll have a lesser appetite for pure carbs after having these healthy choices beforehand.