Besides Thanksgiving, there isn’t much about November to look forward to. The weather is always gloomy, it seems to be dark at all hours of the day, and…it’s freezing. We’ve all heard of the Freshman 15, and it turns out that it may not be a myth at all. A new study shows that 70 percent of students gain weight in college, and “it is fueled by late night snacking, fattening dorm meals, and lack of exercise”. All of these contributors become more evident in the fall and winter months. So, we decided to share some tips on how to stay healthy and motivated this winter!
Make the trek to the gym
One of the biggest factors in successfully working out is to stay consistent. This means you can’t just go to the gym when it’s nice outside. Throw a sweatshirt on, and make the short trip to one of the many gyms on campus. If you need more motivation, find a friend to tag along with you. Also, to make the cold more bearable, try jogging to the gym – this will warm you up on the way, and prepare you for the rest of your workout.
Go on a run
If the gym isn’t for you and you need a little bit of scenery, go on a run! Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you can’t be outside. Bundle up, put some headphones in, and take a jog down City Ave. The run itself will warm you up, and you won’t even be thinking about how cold it is anymore!
Keep up with your academics
Daylight savings is a blessing and a curse. Was that one extra hour of sleep worth waking up to complete darkness every morning? Maybe not, but it’s important to power through it. Don’t just skip class because it’s dark and gloomy outside. This goes for both your morning classes and your night classes. Also, if you’re a student who likes to do their work in the library, don’t break that study habit! Make the trek to the library, and get your work done. Trust me, you’ll regret it later if you don’t.
No take-out!!!
We all know about the late-night calls to Domino’s or Queen’s chinese food… we’ve all been there. Of course this is okay once in awhile; we all need a little comfort food sometimes. Sometimes is the key word here. Don’t let the cold weather keep you from grocery shopping, or from getting a meal on campus. It is important to continue eating healthy. So, delete the GoPuff app, and take a trip to Campion!
Find outdoor activities
With the holidays coming up, there are still plenty of outdoor activities on campus and around the city that can keep you entertained and active. Throw on some layers and go on a nature walk, go downtown to see the holiday decorations, or even go ice skating at Penn’s Landing! The cold doesn’t always have to stop the fun.
It’s definitely possible to avoid going into hibernation mode this winter, but it is up to you to stay motivated. Follow these 5 tips, and I’m sure you’ll make the most out of this season!
