10 Tips for Healthier Living and Eating

         I know I haven't been on in a while, sorry about that! I've been busy getting ready for school, packing, planning and fitting in last minute plans at at home. I'm just beginning my Sophmore year at UNC and I'm hoping that it's even better than first year. To me, the start of semester at school is a little bit like New Year's for everyone else. We make resolutions to "get more involved", "meet new people", "eat healthier", "improve/maintain our grades" and other things that don't always a) happen or b)pan out like we thought. One of my resolutions this semester is to be healthier. Last year I managed to lose some weight and get into better shape instead getting the "freshman 15" and I want to continue the trend this year. Now, many of my healthy habits aren't quiet habits yet, so sometimes I need a reminder. I'm sharing my list with y'all, so that hopefully you can gain some info, ideas and more for this on coming year.

10 Tips for Healthier Living and Eating:

       1. Drink water, especially one bottle just after waking to boost metabolism and stay hydrated and full longer

       2. Limit to one sweet drink a day to limit caffeine, sugar and general liquid calories which may be delicious but rarely makes you feel full.

       3. Chew slowly, so your body can react to the food you're eating. It also always you to enjoy the food. Not always the best with campus food, true, but it might make that piece of pie or sushi (yes, we have sushi here at UNC...) even better.

       4. Exercise every day, but mix it up. Increase levels and change focus so that muscles get confused and thus you don't plateau. Example? Don't do crunches every day. Instead trade off with planks, bunny hops or running in place.

       5. Choose proteins. They make you feel more full plus give you more energy for the day. Proteins also help build muscle, making exercise more effective and useful.

       6. It's okay to snack, small snacks tide you over and give your body a steady amount of fuel. This also helps prevent binging later in the day.

       7. While small snacks are good, you want keep foods out of reach, and pause before getting seconds. This gives you time to consider if you really want that extra handful of chips or serving of sushi.

       8. Watch out for mindless eating. If you decide to have a snack while watching New Girl or Bones,

have a set portion ready (I recommend about a cup full, about 1 serving), eat slowly and keep refills out of reach. Hopefully your urge to keep watching will overpower that urge for one more Cheez-it or Pringle.

        9. Give in to cravings. It's okay to eat that slice of cake, piece (or two) or candy, or that even beautiful, glaze covered, sugary donut. The more you deny yourself whatever you're craving, the more you want it. So give, have piece, and move on. 

       10. Last but not least, instead of focusing on eliminating the bad food from your diet, focus on adding the good foods. Drink more water, sub out white for whole wheat and grab and juicy, sweet apple on your way out instead of a cookie or other sweet treat. It's all in the mind set, so take baby steps that will last rather than trying to sprint and tripping before the finish line.