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If you have recently embarked on your fitness journey, this article is for you. 

This is one of the best times to start a new routine — the New Year is underway and everyone is motivated to stick to the goals they have set for themselves. During winter break (if you are at home) you have access to things you would not necessarily have access to at school. For example, a full kitchen lets you store and make healthy foods – a simple task that a mini fridge and microwave could make tough. I also have more free time when I am home, so I always have time to squeeze in a workout even on my busiest days, whereas at school you can spend ALL day in the library without even thinking of getting to the gym if it is not part of your daily routine yet.

 

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When I am at school, I always find myself running around from class to class or club to club and don’t really have time to go food shopping and cook a healthy meal every day. But just because I don’t have the time during the day does not mean I am eating badly. I just have to think ahead and bring food with me. That being said, everyone is different. What works for me may not always work out the same for you, but they can help!

Here are just a few tips to make sticking to your routine at school easier:

  • Prepare snacks/meals the night before. Doing this will allow you to choose healthier (and!!) sleep an extra 15 minutes in the morning. You won’t be rushing around to make sure you have everything you need, and you’ll be more likely to choose healthier options, instead of quickly grabbing a Pop-tart out the door if you set the time aside to do so. Something as simple as putting some baby carrots in a Ziploc can make a huge difference in the morning.
 

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  • Use syllabus week as a learning week. Don’t come to school with a set schedule because you will most likely not stick to it if other things get in the way (bookstore lines, seeing friends, meetings) and this can discourage you altogether. Give yourself the first week of the semester to learn your new schedule and see when you have free time to workout. Then you can make your new schedule according to what works best for you!
  • Set a weekly food budget. It is so easy to say yes to wing night or half-off apps with your friends every night when you get back to school because everyone is excited to see each other and have fun. Setting a budget and sticking to it will limit the amount of times you are going out (oftentimes late night eating/drinking at unhealthy places). Does anyone ever feel energized and ready for the day after nights like these?? *Added bonus: it will also save you money* 
 

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  • Try to get enough sleep. Before you laugh and say that this is impossible in college, understand that this is vital to accomplishing your goals. Lack of sleep will make you feel sluggish and unproductive. I know that it can be unrealistic to have a set amount of sleep each night, but just make good choices! Instead of watching ‘one more episode,’ choose the extra hour of sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.

Some of these tips will be hard to manage at first, as they take some getting used to. Finding the balance between school, life, and everything in between is difficult, but with effort and your goals in mind, it’s nothing you can’t accomplish! Happy 2016 and have a great semester!

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