How to Stay in Shape in College

If you want to avoid the Freshman 15, making healthy food choices and exercising regularly can go a long way. A friend of mine lost 80 pounds last year and she attributes it to managing her calorie intake and moving often. Here are 9 ways you can stay in shape at college.

1. Bike. Instead of driving a car, paying for insurance, and filling up with $4/gallon gas, get your muscles moving and bike to school. Especially if you live close to campus and have a bike, you have no excuse! Just be sure to use a bike lock, otherwise you may be bikeless soon.
2. Eat breakfast. Skipping breakfast can mess with your metabolism and cause you to gain weight, so take some time to eat breakfast every morning, even if it’s just toast or yogurt and granola. For more delicious breakfast ideas, check out our Quick and Easy Breakfast Ideas blog.
3. Drink lots of water instead of juice, soda, or alcohol. These liquid calories add up quickly. Staying hydrated will help you be more alert in class and feel more full than you would otherwise.
4. Walk. Why not walk to and from school everyday? You’d be surprised at how toning walking is for your body. My sister-in-law goes for a brisk 30 min. walk every morning ad has lost a bunch of weight as a result.
5. Take an exercise class. If you’re in a martial arts, swimming, or track class, exercising will be automatically built into your schedule. And you’ll get a grade for it, too!
6. Grab a friend. Having someone with you as you shoot hoops,hike, run, mountain bike, or dance will be a lot more fun and engaging than doing it solo. You’re less likely to let yourself off the hook if you have someone to be accountable to. Plus, if you’re exercising outside after the sun goes down, you’ll be safer than if you were alone.
7. Go to free exercise classes on campus. Most colleges have a pool and gym facility that you can use with your student ID and even free classes like pilates and yoga.
8. Eat healthy snacks. Instead of the Twix bar and Doritos, opt for healthier snack alternatives like popcorn, trail mix, baby carrots, and dried fruit.
9. Reward yourself. If you eat well and exercise for 5 days straight, give yourself permission to do and eat whatever you want to on Saturday. Like that cheeseburger or popcorn with extra butter. Calories don’t count on the weekend!

Staying in shape isn’t just about how you look, it will affect how you feel. Anyone would agree that college is a stressful time and exercising regularly will help you manage stress, feel better about yourself, and improve your outlook on life.