Even though I’m not in college anymore (**sniff, sniff*) I still have a soft spot in my heart for dishing out advice on being healthy in college. Hey, this bloggy blog actually started while I was a senior at NYU learning how to balance my new passion for fitness and almond milk while also being a constantly stressed out theater major. I get it. Also, those early on posts are really embarrassing.
In honor of my alma mater starting classes this week, and in honor of seeing my precious neighborhood get overrun by 18 year olds (yay Greenwich Village!) this week is all about college, baby! Whether you’re a freshman or even just graduated and navigating life out there on your own, this week I’m covering the bases on all things healthy in college.
First up, how to stay healthy in college (and not drive yourself crazy in the process)
|| All things food…
Eat breakfast every day
Isn’t it funny how this habit our parents instilled in us goes right out the window once we move into the dorms? I often times had dance class at 8:30AM so literally had to eat breakfast first thing in the morning for fear I would pass out in the middle of a sweaty African dance class.
Your breakfast doesn’t have to be elaborate and take place in the dining hall– something as simple as a banana with peanut butter, a peanut butter sandwich or a power bar with simple ingredients (Lara bars are one of my faves!) will start your day and your metabolism on the right note.
Stash your room with healthy snacks
The dorm kitchen situation at all colleges is different– I had a kitchen in the dorm starting my sophomore year and also had the option for a suite with a kitchen freshman year.
Even if you don’t have a full kitchen in your dorm, keep your room full of wholesome snacks for when late night cravings hits. Trust me, they will and all you’ll want is dominoes pizza while you’re writing a stupid essay at 1AM on a Tuesday.
I’m such a peanut butter lover so always had a jar in my room plus rice cakes. Fruit is always an easy option– bananas are always easy because they don’t require refrigeration. Make use of that meal plan and stock up on some fruit 🙂 If you can have one, mini fridges and microwaves are such an easy life saver when you don’t have a full kitchen.
|| All things fitness…
Make movement a part of your life
Going to college in NYC meant I did a TON of walking just to and from class every day. Even if you go to a more “traditional” college so to speak, make walking or bike riding part of your daily commute to class. It’s literally the easiest way to get some movement in your day. I love that my iPhone now tracks the number of miles I walk every day– let that or a FitBit encourage you to hit certain metrics of movement every single day just by walking.
As a theater major I was also required to take dance classes all 4 years. Some kids hated this, I personally LOVED it and wish they required it of all college students. Even if your major doesn’t have a movement requirement (okay, that’s probably the case unless you’re in the performing arts…) use those electives to take a fun dance class or something else in the movement spectrum that’s offered. It’s so much fun and a great way to force yourself to break a sweat.
Make time for working out
Senior year was when I really started getting into fitness– I’m talking 6 days a week of working out. My friends would often times ask me how I found time to workout between my busy school schedule and being in shows. Honestly, I made the time for it because it meant a lot to me.
For me, that meant waking up at 6:15AM so I could go to yoga before class. For you maybe that’s bringing your sneakers to class so you can hit up the gym immediately afterwards and have no excuse.
Bring a friend to the gym
I don’t think I would’ve gone to the gym at all freshman year if it wasn’t for my friend Tory. We’d make it a date to walk to the gym together and then food shop afterwards. Once we got to the gym we went our separate ways, but it was just the motivation I needed to walk over there when it was super cold out.
But don’t workout because it’s what you’re supposed to do
I was SO guilty of this my freshman and sophomore year. I’d drag myself to the gym and felt like I was punishing myself. BREAK THAT CYCLE, IMMEDIATELY. Find a workout method you enjoy. Don’t know what you like? Try it all. A lot of college offer amazing free fitness classes at their fitness center. Take advantage of it!!! Seriously, you’ll never have so many free fitness opportunities again.
I know not everyone loves working out. All I can do is encourage you to go in with a different mindset– instead of seeing it as punishment, look at is as nourishment. You are doing something good for your body and mind.
I ended up falling in love with fitness when I realized how amazing it made me feel mentally. As a stressed out theater major my sophomore year, it was the release I needed.
|| But one last thing…
Don’t stress out about it.
I made some really stupid health mistakes in college. Exercise wasn’t always a priority. During my whole fall semester sophomore year I probably averaged 4 hours of sleep every night. I ate mac and cheese easily 3 times a week. I consumed more caffeine than I care to admit. I did an all nighter on the streets of Time Square to audition for a Broadway show… and slept through my really important alarm the next day. I could rarely resist the delicious cookies in my dorm’s dining hall.
It happens.
And that’s what college is also about– finding balande. While yes, you should take care of yourself and your body and create healthy habits now, don’t stress yourself out about it and don’t let it ruin your college fun.
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