3 Effective Tips to Staying in a Healthy Weight Range in College

Living away from home during college years is an exciting time, also no doubt a learning curve that comes with new independence. There is simply so much to do and self care, even though it is not ‘taught’ as a course as Healthy Living 101, is the foundation of a successful college life, not to mention adult years out of school.

We all know the long term health consequences of risky habits such as smoking, eating junk food on the run, skipping breakfast, pulling all-nighters, partying, taking diet shortcuts, and old habits that are less than ideal. In college, though, these thoughts are usually not exactly at the forefront, you’re only looking for who can <a href="https://oceanessay.com/pay-for-essay/”>pay for an essay online</a>!

Passing important exams, looking good for the date or the disco, socializing, rooting for the home team, shopping, sleeping in on weekends, attending a lecture, working a part time job to cover expenses - all of these are more immediate concerns. Self care can end up getting a lot less attention than it deserves.

Gaining weight in college, though, is not a matter to take lightly. USA Today’s edition of August 31, 2011, features an article by Erica Petri, which states: “According to an analysis published in The Lancet, obesity rates among men could rise from 32% in 2008 to 50% in 2030, and rates among women could rise from 35% in 2008 to anywhere from 45% to 52% in 2030.

Today’s college students may not realize that they are included in the <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110826192438.htm">projected statistics for 2030</a>. And what many of them don’t know, is that they have the ability to help change those numbers.”

Ms. Petri continues: “Some college students party all night or study until 4 a.m. and these extra hours lead to the consumption of additional calories. When they’re in a rush in between classes, it’s easier to just grab something from the fast food section of the cafeteria than to make their own salad.”..... “Colleges can only give us the option to make a healthy meal choice. They can’t tell us what to eat or take away all other unhealthy options.”

“But in the end, it’s up to the college students to make the change and set the example for everyone to follow... College students can make the change....... They’re the ones being educated about what they’re going to be dealing with in the future, and we have a major epidemic going on. And it’s only going to get worse. They’re the ones that can actually get something done. They’re learning about it, they’re the frontline people.”

Making a conscious effort to be at the forefront of the healthy living generation and staying in a healthy weight range is not about ‘diet’ or ‘will power.’ Tips from the field of Health Coaching help lay the groundwork for long term success:

Remember that your healthy habits are not only about you, but about your total environment. Everything adds to this equation. Do you walk enough every day, where and how do you shop for your food, do you eat all your meals out, are you sleeping well, who do you hang out with, where does food show up in your day that you did not think of eating, are you eating at the desk or while walking or driving? Look around to observe carefully.

Mindset is an important factor to staying in a healthy weight range, so use it well! Positive body image, a healthy approach to strategies to overcoming obstacles, thinking about total health and not just the diet, knowing when and how to say ‘no’, being educated about the basics of a good diet, knowing how to set little goals, taking full responsibility and ownership of your actions. Observe your thoughts for just 3 days and you’ll know if you have work to do in this area.

Support! Just thinking about making a change in self care habits has, statistically speaking, a 9% of success. That is a 91% rate of failure, which is the average rate for all diets in the marketplace. But with a plan, a commitment to the plan, a schedule, and an accountability partner, the chances of making sustainable change in your life for positive results has a 95% chance of success! So, instead of going it alone, support of all kinds can be incorporated into your global plan: a walking buddy, a Wii fit, an app on your iPod, a healthy diet group, a phone health coaching group, a forum - the list is endless.

Fitting it all in is a challenge in these years and, no surprise, will be in the years to come. Juggling jobs and family life, continuing education, life’s ups and downs themselves - what better time to start to make a significant change then now?