Fitness Tips for Freshmen and Other Weight Conscious People

Keep good snacks in your dorm room to keep you from getting ravenously hungry, so that you aren't tempted to grab the most fattening value meal on the menu. Foods that are good to keep on hand are fruits, yogurt (aids in weight loss, too), peanut butter, pretzels, nuts, wheat crackers, light wheat bread.

Avoid keeping full size packaging of sugary sweets and candy. Treat yourself to a single serving a couple of times per week, but not every day.

Walk to your classes whenever possible.

Fit exercise into your schedule every chance possible, especially on the weekend, when you need some stress release.

Invest in a good Pilates, dance, or Yoga DVD and commit to 10 minutes at least 3 times per week to exercise with it in your dorm room. You will burn calories, gain strength and endurance, muscle tone, and sleep better.

If you have a minute to watch TV, do crunches, leg lifts, and other exercises while you watch. You can do squats and lunges while you are talking on the phone.

When you grab fast food, don't be tempted by the menu. Know before you go into the restaurant what you will order to stay healthy. Every fast food restaurant has good choices. McDonald's has wonderful salads. If you are craving a burger, leave off the mayonnaise and cheese and opt for mustard or ketchup instead. If you must have the fries, choose the small size and don't get them every time. Make them one of your treats for the week. McDonald's also has soft serve ice-cream that is low in calories. Get the cone, avoid the sundae. They also have an apple and walnut salad. A Whopper from Burger King Value Meal contains more calories than you need for a whole day! However, follow the same guidelines that I told you for a burger, the smaller the better. Avoid sour cream and flour based tacos. A Crunch Wrap Supreme, less the sour cream is a somewhat low calorie meal at Taco Bell. Forgo the milkshakes, Blizzards, and Blasts! They can also contain almost a full day's calories.

NEVER Biggie Size It!!!!!

Most restaurants portions are more than double what you should have. Ask for a to-go box when you order and divide your meal before you eat. Take the rest back to the dorm or share it with someone. This cuts your cost and saves tons of calories over time.

Broth based soups are a great way to get nutrition, taste, and are low calorie. Vegetable soup is good for you! Free calories, almost. Creamy soups, such as potato soup are good, too, but watch portion size, as they are higher in calories.

It's much easier to maintain your weight than it is to try to lose it, so avoid gaining it in the first place.

Really try to get in bed as early as possible. Adequate sleep helps to keep metabolism revved, plus you will have more energy for the next day.

Stay focused on your goals and don't let food consume you...consume it.