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It can be one of the most difficult obstacles to overcome
during the years of independence, finding a balanced way to maintain a healthy
diet. We live in a time when the healthiest choices aren’t
always the most enticing options. And when there is hardly a time that some steamed carrots
and broccoli sound better than a hot fudge Sunday. For many people this is an entirely new
concept, and the first time in life when providing food becomes a
responsibility. In many cases, this
quest for nutritional health can become a mental battle that becomes full of
anxiety and stress. Eating healthy foods can
seem like the most unattainable goal, and an extremely intimidating
lifestyle to adapt. I think this has
resulted because currently there are so many different definitions and degrees
of nutritional health.
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With plans like vegan-ism and the all smoothie diet, we may feel like we have to adhere to strict
regulations in order to reach the desired goal.
Health does not have to be such a difficult aspect of life. It takes small changes for your body to
register what is happening. Don’t let
the pressure get the best of you and accept your accomplishments. Too many times people cheat one day on their
diet plans and completely self-destruct, reducing the entire operation to
failure. You can always start again the
next day and figure out why things didn’t go according to plan. Part of the fun is figuring out what works
best for you and how you can fully appreciate making smart decisions. This means that if you don't enjoy drinking blended vegetable mystery shakes you don't have to! A healthy
diet helps improve mental alertness, concentration, and memory. You will have more
energy and confidence to do the hundreds of things that are on your to do list.
Below I have compiled a few basic points of advice when beginning to tackle a
healthy eating plan. Let these ideas
help you find your motivation and realize that health is a life journey not a
30 day detox plan.
- Drink water and then more water. I know that everyone has been telling you to drink water your entire life. At this point in time we also know that water really doesn't do it like coffee can, and will probably fall to the end of the list on drinks of choice during the weekends. Regardless of whether you like water or not it is an amazing regulatory liquid for your daily diet. Beyond the hydration effects, water promotes a healthy internal cycle that nourishes all aspects of the body. Your hair, skin, and internal organs will thank you.
- Don’t forget about the Veggies. I will go to the grocery store and have a major health kick going and fill my cart up with every vegetable I can find. Three weeks later those not so cheap groceries are wilted and brown, forgotten in the produce drawer. The key to utilizing and being able to enjoy your fresh produce selections is to immediately cut them up and portion them out. Do something that will allow these nutrient rich foods to be more easily prepared for when you are ready to incorporate them into a well-balanced meal.
- Let yourself enjoy it. This may sound extremely contradictory but many times trying to stick to a rigid schedule can become intimidating and lead to you to take your frustrations out on a pint of ice cream and 4 slices of cake. I will never tell anyone to say no to chocolate and or ice cream. Healthy eating is a lifestyle change that takes time. You are allowed to enjoy a little bit of everything. If you are already making the effort to choose the side of fruit rather than the fries you can feel confident when you split the slice of cake with a friend instead of having the whole thing to yourself. As these decisions become more natural for you, it will only seem logical to moderate the less nutritious choices. Beer and pizza won’t kill your progress, just don’t make it a daily event.
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| Credit: Fatlossdiet.net |
- Figure out your staples. As the healthy decisions come you will find a few items that are good for you that you truly like (believe it or not!). Some quick easy examples are oatmeal, fruits, nuts, etc. Establishing a few that you can actually appreciate will make a trip to the grocery store much more fulfilling, literally!
- Figure out where fitness fits in your life. Some people can function by working out for hours at the gym while others enjoy a half hour jog around campus. It all depends what works for YOU. One of the hardest parts about making healthy decisions in college is feeling like you don’t actually enjoy any of the fitness activities your friends like. Check out the gym, see how you like biking, group fitness, intramural sports, or meditation to name a few. Everyone has different preferences. Some of the best fitness plans are the ones that incorporate a new activity every day. Spending merely 30 minutes a day doing something besides sitting in front of a computer can make all of the difference and leave you feeling more energized. *more posts to come soon about daily fitness*
- Don’t rush into it. Just because you made the resolution to eat healthier doesn’t mean you have to hit the nearest Whole foods and have celery for dinner. Let the changes happen naturally. When you chose to integrate healthy decisions instead of force them on yourself, you alleviate the pressure of reaching your goals and are able to focus on how good you feel and recognize the positive changes.
- Chew it over. It takes your body 10-15 minutes to realize it is full, and about 7 minutes to respond to the amount of food that you have eaten. This is why after inhaling a Chipotle lunch you may feel like you just ate a brick. Give your body time to register what is happening. It will thank you for slowing down in between bites.
Great Tips for Young Women on Living Healthy
Staying Zen in both Mind and Dining Hall
-RV
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