The importance of a balanced diet

A balanced diet is important for staying healthy. Any food taken in excess from any group is not healthy. 

Making your workout, work!

As we all know it's hard to balance a healthy diet and workout routine while we strive for a 4.0. However, there are many tips you can use to slowly change your lifestyle. For example, its so easy to start snacking on unhealthy junk food while finishing a paper or studying. Try to avoid snacking during this time because not only is it a distraction, but you easily lose track of how much you eat. The same applies to watching television. When you don't focus on eating you tend to consume twice the amount you originally intended. Working out can become difficult when you feel overwhelmed with school work and over tired from lack of sleep. In order to maintain a healthy level of physical activity make yourself a schedule for daily or weekly workouts that keeps your mind and body on a schedule.

How to avoid the dreaded "Freshman 15"

         What most college students fear when entering into college is gaining the dreaded freshman 15. Freshman 15, for those who don't know, is the weight gain that is rumored that students entering college experience due to the change in lifestyle and diet. The top causes of freshman 15 are late night meals, choosing unhealthy dining hall choices, snacking excessively in dorms, lack of exercise and alcohol consumption.
         There are many ways to avoid this weight gain. Obvious choices include making smarter food selections. You don't exactly need to eat a salad for every meal, however, only eating junk food is going to take a toll on you mentally and physically. So, consider changing up your typical snack for a healthier option. Next, late night meals. Everyone has late night cravings, especially when you are under the stress of pressing deadlines and finals. By eating larger and more regular meals during normal hours can help you curb your late night cravings to a minimum. Exercise is also very important. Most colleges provide state of the art fitness facilities. Utilize them! working out, running, swimming or even going for a walk with friends will help you maintain a healthier lifestyle.
          Lastly, alcohol consumption. Yes it's college and most of us like to party. However, most of us don't consider what we drink late night as an affect on our diet. With most light beers equalling 110 - 150 calories a can, it adds up after a long night of drinking. So watch what you drink and always drink in moderation. The freshman 15 is totally beatable by changing just small routines in your day and diet.