“How is school going?” 
How many times does a college student hear that question in the course
of their student career?  How is it typically answered?  Many times it
is answered pretty much the same way as the question, “How are you?” 
As a student, I have certainly answered it that way myself, “School is
fine.”  or “It’s interesting.” or some similar expression. 
Unfortunately, I just as often hear such responses as, “It’s a drag!”
or “School sucks!” and other negative comments.  These responses make
it seem that students are unhappy at school and find it a harsh
experience, at least on the surface.  In high school this was the case
perhaps and certainly the prevailing “cool” attitude.  After all, high
school was forced on the student.  College is different.  Yes, there is
pressure, sometimes immense pressure to go to college, but ultimately
college is still a choice.  And despite the negativity voiced, I
have also seen students
spending the time and effort to achieve success in college and so know
that they really do want to learn, even enjoy learning new things.  Why
then, do they answer the question negatively?  Is it fear of
rejection?  What if we, as students, stop making it “uncool” to enjoy
learning?  What if instead, we showed our appreciation and approval?  Acceptance is a powerful weapon.   The new semester is starting and I have returned to school looking forward to all the new experiences.  So I am resolved to find
ways to let every student I can know that I think the better of them
for continuing with their education and share with them my joy of
learning. 

So I am a bit over weight, I’m not
gonna to say how much exactly, but I know I could be more active. I am having a
hard time getting done what I need to for work and school, which makes me feel
like there is no time to work out. What’s more, my energy level drops almost
invariably a half an hour before I get ready to go home. I want to find the
motivation to do anything I don’t necessarily have to do with projects,
assignments, test and work looming over my every waking moment. And even though
I am no narcissist, I know I’m more stressed when I’m not ok with my
appearance, it is just one more thing to worry about. So I’ve done some
research and some thinking, and come up with a few helpful suggestions to
reduce stress, get done what I need to and (eventually) loose some weight.

1) Take short breaks, avoid apathy!

Taking a 15 minute break every hour
helps me focus better and stay creative. Using this time to do some sort of
exercise helps a lot too. I don’t know about you faithful readers (and
authors), but I can’t really study at home, so I go to coffee shops, libraries,
huge book stores like Barnes & Noble, and other study conducive places,
which usually are a 15 to 20 minute bike ride away from each other!

2) Pay attention to portions and
types of foods.

 Eating well is a key to any attempt at weight
loss, and it can help you feel better too. Around dinner time, I get really
hungry, and then after chowing down I feel like taking a nap. But experts say
that eating “fist sized” portions four times a day and snacking on fruits and
vegetables to manage one’s apatite will lead to increased metabolism and more
energy. I can’t do this all the time, but I try to Monday through Friday, and
then stay a bit more active over the weekend, which is usually when I eat more
calories. I try and have a simple carb, a protein and a fruit/veggie for every
meal.

3) Drink more water!

 I love, soda, coffee and energy drinks, but I
can’t handle the crash any more. The wall I hit at 5pm every day is usually
produced by coffee, then a Mountain Dew followed by another cup of coffee and a
sprinkling of energy drinks throughout the day. Our bodies need more water than
what is retained from these synthetic forms of energy, so no wonder I need a
nap and have a headache in the afternoon, especially after that huge
calzone I just ate! So,  drink more water, and follow the above suggested eating
habits, this will afford you more energy and help avoid the infamous crash.

4) Prepare easy, portioned meals in
advance.

When working or studying, I tend to just want
something easy to eat, and don’t want to take the time to make myself something
nutritious, so I end up eating out. This allows me to indulge in things I
normally wouldn’t, because it’s easy. I have found that making a bunch of
burritos over the weekend with quality ingredients like chicken, bell peppers,
black beans, long grain rice, cooked green chilies and a bit of cheese will
taste great, cost way less than most sandwiches at sub shops, and will usually
be a lot more healthy. I also keep some nuts, dried fruit, or sliced veggies on
me too if I need something to tide me over until I can get home for dinner or
one of my mid-day meals.

5) Find a motivator other than “I
want to look better!”

I have found if I am focused on
getting in shape to look dead sexy, I never get the results I want, as soon as
I want, which leads to frustration, and once I allow my self to skip a meal,
resulting in an even bigger meal later on, or I eat out a few times rather than
going home to grab my premade food I lose dedication to my plan of action,
which eventually leads to dropping the whole thing all together. If I am able
to decide to do this to better my self, to be healthier, to reduce stress and
boost energy, I see the results a lot faster because I am not relying on other people
reacting favorably to my efforts and I am focusing on the positives rather than
the negatives. I begin to realize I’m setting myself up to have a longer, happier
life.

So…now I have to follow the advice I have heard from a lot
of my more in-shape friends and from many other articles scattered throughout
my memory. It is hard to keep up with a plan of action while there are a lot of
other things going on, but I think that the suggestions above, coupled with a
realistic workout routine, will allow me to reach my goal of 20lb’s lighter, I’ll
let you know how it goes, and if you have success, please let me know as well,
I just might need some good juju that day! 
  

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