<p>So, I've decided that I need to start living a lot more healthy. I go back to college on Friday, and have a Winter Term in which I'm doing an independent project. What is the best way for me both to get into shape, and to stay healthy once the new semester starts (and thus, dining halls re-open). What eating and work out recommendations do you have?</p>
<p>Eat right and exercise. Burn more calories than you're taking in. Don't eat alot of junk food. Dining hall food is not THAT bad, just don't eat a huge amount of it. That's what is bad for you.</p>
<p>Don't NOT eat. Exercise. Take the stairs rather than the elevator. Watch what you eat.</p>
<p>If you can't envision the food walking around, growing or being picked/collected, don't eat it. So a piece of chicken, you can picture the chicken running around, it's good to eat. You can imagine a carrot growing, so you eat a carrot. You can't do the same for Twinkies or Mountain Dew, so you don't eat them.</p>
<p>Jack, that's a very visually amusing philosophy. I like it.</p>
<p>Jack, thats awesome! ....almost facebook worthy....</p>
<p>That's awesome. Really amusing. Useful, too, but I gave up on living healthy for the time being in college....and then in law school.....and then when I'm a wall street lawyer.......oh, forget it.</p>
<p>I think the best thing you can do in college is exercise, because that is alot easier than eating really healthy. Obviously, don't eat really bad foods (anything super-greasy, loaded with Tons of Fat, or things like regular mayonnaise) but I think moderately eating pasta or bread or things like that is fine. Also, another good thing to try to do is only eat grilled or baked or steamed things. Grilled vs. Fried chicken, etc. Fried=bad.</p>
<p>But fried=Yummy.</p>
<p>Best way to get into shape? Don't stress about it. Really. Stress induces impulsive eating, impulsive eating means greasy food, and that means pounds. Just relax. Your body will adjust itself. Your figure will adjust itself. Just don't worry about it. REALLY.</p>
<p>^lol...true.</p>
<p>It's hard to gain weight if you're working hard. Regardless, I suggest doing strenuous exercise (e.g. running) at least once a week for 20 minutes.</p>
<p>Eat healthily and drink plenty of water.</p>
<p>God I sound like a health freak.</p>
<p>It all comes down to smart choices. You don't have to give up the foods you love, just cut down on how frequently or how much you eat them.</p>
<p>REALLY simple things you can do that will make a difference:</p>
<p>Switch to diet soft drinks. A can of coke has 240 calories, and your body's physiology doesn't "recognize" calories taken as liquids - so it's not like you'll cut down how much you eat by the same number of calories.</p>
<p>Say no to drive-thrus. If you want McDonald's, park your car, walk inside, order and then eat in the restaurant - you'll be surprised by how much less you crave fast food when it stops being so convenient. </p>
<p>Switch from white bread to Whole Grain wheat bread. </p>
<p>Read labels at the grocery store. You don't have to count calories, but it's good to know what you're putting in your body. I used to love to eat those Little Debbie fudge brownies, until I looked at the box and found that one of those 2x4 brownies had almost 300 calories. Needless to say, I don't eat those like I used to.</p>
<p>Reading labels is good to for finding foods that are nutritionally dense. Let's face it, calories are unavoidable, and they're not evil either. The problem comes when we eat high calorie foods that provide ZERO nutrition. High calorie, high nutrient foods aren't really a problem. Orange juice vs Coke? Obviously that's an easy one.</p>
<p>Finally, the last part is don't think of this as a "diet". That word has connotations of temporary, short term and failure. Think instead of "lifestyle change", you want the changes you make to be permanent.</p>
<p>
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Switch to diet soft drinks.
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</p>
<p>Actually, if you want to avoid regular soda, you're best going without any soda. Diet soda is just as bad for you and regular soda.</p>
<p>Most people don't want completely avoid soft drinks - the person who drinks 6 mountain dews a day is not just going to give that up cold turkey - that's why the focus was on EASY things to be done. </p>
<p>Please explain your "just as bad" comment. From a weight/calorie standpoint that's not even close to anything that could even remotely be considered a fact.</p>
<p>Yeah, try not to drink soda. I never get soda...if I'm in a dining hall I just get water or milk. I find that after not drinking soda for that long I don't have any cravings for it or anything. In terms of desserts, they're hard to avoid. But sometimes just force yourself not to get any. Usually I'll only get dessert in the dining halls if it's something I haven't tried before and I really want to know what it tastes like. Stuff that they put out everyday like brownies and cookies - if I force myself to not get any, it's not like I'm really missing out on anything. </p>
<p>Also, yeah avoid fried foods. Eat salads. Don't overload on the dressing. Eat fruit and vegetables and yogurt, stuff like that. Think about eating this way - it's for the long term, not the short term. If you eat something that tastes amazing, it'll last for 5 seconds. If you eat right and smart, you'll get much more meaningful and long term benefits. Of course, treat yourself every once in a while or else you'll go crazy, but if you get in the habit of eating healthy then your cravings will go away.</p>
<p>And exercise! It's way more effective than dieting. I could go on and on, but I'll stop here before I start sounding like a freak.</p>
<p>If you want to get a little more intense, here is the single best article you will ever see about nutrition, bar none:
John</a> Berardi - 7 Habits</p>
<p>Most people aren't going to be able to follow those for various reasons but if you seriously commit to them you'll end up a lot healthier, guaranteed. They seem unrealistic in terms of college eating, but you can do it if you try.</p>
<p>drink coffee. if i have coffee in the morning, i'm less hungry during the day. caffeine suppresses your appetite. also, try green tea too.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Most people don't want completely avoid soft drinks - the person who drinks 6 mountain dews a day is not just going to give that up cold turkey - that's why the focus was on EASY things to be done. </p>
<p>Please explain your "just as bad" comment. From a weight/calorie standpoint that's not even close to anything that could even remotely be considered a fact.
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<p>Sure..</p>
<p>I understand those who drink a lot of soda aren't going to just stop. I know it was difficult to me and I fall into that trap still every now and then.</p>
<p>Here is what Diet Coke has:
Carbonated water, Caramel Color, Aspartame, Phosphoric Acid, Potassium Benzoate (to protect taste), natural flavors, citric acid, caffeine</p>
<p>Here is Coke:
Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, natural flavors, caffeine</p>
<p>So Diet Coke has more stuff in it than regular Coke. And I don't remember exactly what the Aspartame does, but I do know it is not very good for you. There are 140 calories in regular Coke compared to the 0 in Diet Coke.</p>
<p>I'm not saying to abandon all soda completely. It's a great idea, but you don't have to in order to be healthy.</p>
<p>Bigredmed, let me know if I didn't satisfy you and I'll get more information..</p>
<p>The information above comes strictly off of two soda cans- One Coke and one Diet Coke that I took from our kitchen.</p>
<p>Try the sodas that use cane sugar. There's like a few different brands, I think Jones is one of them. They come in these glass bottles. They're actually really good and don't leave a horrible taste in my mouth.</p>
<p>Jack, that was great.</p>