The college life isn’t synonymous to a healthy lifestyle, so it’s no wonder that many college students gain weight during their studies. If you want to keep your weight stable or even lose a few pounds, try the best ways to lose weight in college.
These simple tips will help you navigate the temptations of college life and make a few healthy eating habits that you’ll be thankful for later on. Here’s how to lose weight in college and keep fit without losing out on anything.
Stay Away from Vending Machines
The first rule of losing weight in college is to simply avoid dorm vending machines. The only thing that you should get from them is bottled water. You should skip every other beverage and food from the vending machine because it will either be packed with sugar or swimming in salt and unhealthy fats.
Keep Track of What You Eat
One of the best ways to lose weight in college is to simply keep track of every meal and snack. That’s easier than ever with the help of complex apps that count calories and set limitations for you. The best diet and fitness apps can also notify you when you should be eating a meal or a healthy snack so you don’t overindulge late at night when you’re very hungry.
Have a Good Breakfast
Getting the education you need is the most important thing in college, so having a good breakfast helps in more than one way. First of all, it’ll help you focus better during your courses. It will also give you enough energy so you can make it to lunch without snacking on any junk food. Eat fruit, dairy, whole grain cereal or eggs for a healthy breakfast.
Skip the Cafeteria Tray
One of the best ways to lose weight in college is to simply be a bit more disciplined in the cafeteria. Forget the tray, it will only encourage you to eat more. Carry the food in your hands so you’re not tempted to pack on extra salad dressing or double desserts. Another golden rule in the cafeteria is to avoid any fried foods.
Get Healthy Snacks
Be in charge of your own snacks and make the right decisions. If you keep junk food around, you’re much more likely to eat it late at night. Instead, focus on fruit, nuts, whole wheat crackers and vegetables with a light yogurt dip. If you have healthy snacks handy, you won’t seek out unhealthier options.
Say No to Sugar
You’re already getting plenty of sugars from foods you didn’t even know contained it, so adding it voluntarily is a mistake. Go for diet or natural low-calorie sweeteners instead of adding sugar to your drinks. Avoiding sodas and sweet teas also helps, but sometimes the only change you need to make is to eat less ice cream.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking as much as you can is one of the best ways to lose weight in college. When you’re feeling thirsty, you’re already dehydrated, so keeping a water bottle close is a good way to prevent it. Once you’re drinking more than 8 glasses a day, you’ll also benefit from the weight loss effects of staying hydrated.
Control Your Drinking
Even if you avoid most temptations when it comes to food, one of the best ways to lose weight in college is to make sure you’re not getting too many calories in liquid form. Binge drinking and games like Beer Pong can quickly make a difference in your weight. When you do drink alcohol, try to always drink water too. That way, you’ll avoid bad hangovers and also help the alcohol flush out faster from your system.
Take a Fitness Class
You might have access to a gym for free on campus, but the right way to make sure that you’re getting enough exercise is to take a fitness class. You can also try a sports class. The most important thing is that you’re making the commitment for at least a full semester and you also get a few elective credits more.
Be Realistic About Your Goals
Even when you’re trying the best ways to lose weight in college, you might not see the changes you want overnight. It’s important to weigh yourself at the same time each day or week, so it becomes part of your routine, but you don’t have to dwell on any temporary setbacks that are probably unavoidable during college life.