“Holy crap! When did I get a beer belly?” he thinks.
“Did I always have these thunder thighs?” she wonders.
BEFORE
205 lbs
![]()
- AFTER
145 lbs
It’s the middle of winter and many students have packed on the pounds. Some may only need to drop ten pounds due to a few too many study snacks . However, in other cases, often due to poor lifestyle choices ranging from a lack of physical activity to consistent poor dietary choices, some students may have to lose 50+ pounds. Whether it’s because spring break is around the corner, or if it is for health reasons, the weight has got to go. Here are five easy tips to shed the pounds and achieve better health. Trust me, they work. I have been using them since I was eighteen, and I have lost sixty pounds!
1. Eat a Well-balanced, Nutritious Diet
This means eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and avoiding foods that are high in calories and fat. A good way to start is by visiting http://www.choosemyplate.gov/. This site makes it super easy for you to create a healthy diet customized for your specific needs.
2. Get Active!
That’s right, get off your butt and start moving! Take advantage of the $123 RPAC fee that you already pay for in your tuition, and start working the weight off with at least one hour of physical activity a day. You can do this on your own, with a friend, or through free group fitness classes. If that is a little too intimidating, start off by simply walking.Whether it’s using the stairs instead of the elevator, or parking further away from the entrance to the grocery store, every little bit helps.
3. Less is More: Portion Control
This is a big issue especially when eating out in restaurants. Most restaurants tend to give diners massive portions. Plan to leave the restaurant with leftovers. A good way to start is by eating only half the meal and seeing if you are still hungry after waiting at least 20 minutes. Also, try sharing a meal with a friend. When at home, be sure to measure out food by using nutrition labels as a guide.
4. Beverage Replacement
Did you know that a can of Coca-Cola has about 150 calories in it? If you had one can a day every day for a year, you would have consumed 54,750 empty calories. Try cutting back on the soda and try drinking water, 100% fruit juice, tea, coffee, or low fat milk instead. If you really must have soda, stick to the diet versions, but limit it to only a few times a week. As for water, I recommend the rule of eight. This means drink eight 8 oz glasses of water a day.
5. Keep Track
This is very important. Whether you write it down in a notebook or use an app on a smart phone, if you keep a record of what/how much you eat and how much you work out, chances are you will receive way better results.
Good Luck!