A Healthier Me

College was a shock to my body more than anything else. I easily adapted to my class schedule and living on my own but finding food to eat was a struggle and still is today. But I have learned what I need to stay healthy and strong and I thought I would share these findings with you.

Coffee: I fell in love when I had a sip of my first Mcconn drink the second day of my freshman year, but that love led to multiple sugary coffee drinks in a day, leading to a hurt stomach and an addiction to caffeine. That addiction still holds strong but I no longer consume these sugary drinks. I learned that coffee itself is a luxury and that I could help my palate adjust to the strong taste of black coffee instead of the teeth-rotting, sweet concoctions I once adored. I love the way the different blends tingle and roll over your tongue, always leaving me longing for that perfect blend. I first savored Sumatran but am now partial to the Ethiopian blend. If you can learn to drink coffee without the added sugars and creams, it can become a positive addition to your daily diet.  

Vegetarianism: I may have consumed meat only twice while living here but did not officially claim myself as a vegetarian until early October. I watched Food Inc. and my perspective on eating meat and processed foods was reinforced. A few days later I began my journey as an herbivore and I have zero regrets. It's easy to lose track of your protein intake and so with this transition I was forced to closely monitor the labels and check for large amounts of protein. I consumed many Cliff bars and spinach salads and am now a big advocate of hummus. It's a phase Kate and I are both currently going through, it would be safe to say that I don't go a day without a little hummus somewhere in my diet. Being a vegetarian hasn't at all affected my daily life and I plan to continue with this lifestyle forever!

Water: My face once resembled craters on the moon, but my recent discovery has turned this problem into something that exists on a much smaller scale. I have found that drinking water all day long not only benefits your body because you are hydrated but it also keeps your skin clear!

Whole Foods: I've always had a heart for organic and whole foods thanks to my mom but at college I really made it my mission to consume foods only grown in the ground. Now this mission may seem next to impossible but when I really stick to this program I feel ten times better than I do on a day where I eat whatever I am in the mood for. I've always had problems with my stomach so eating carefully has helped to diminish these lingering problems.

Early Morning Exercise: To make it to swim practice on time, I would often wear my swimsuit to bed so I could literally wake up, brush my teeth, and drive to the YMCA. I would often equate these 5am practices to hell itself and swore I would never force myself to do anything like this again. As the end of second semester approached me, I remembered the stressful late nights and my habit of sleeping late the following day. I made a decision to change this unhealthy habit and so I started going to bed by 1am every night and waking up at 6:30 every other morning for the last few weeks of school to help deal with my stress. I was able to finish my work in the morning after my yoga sessions with Jillian Michaels, Kate, and Lindsey, and was even able to sit in Mcconn and enjoy a fresh brewed cup of coffee. I plan to wake up semi-early during the summer so I am able to make the most of my day and easily cope with any stress I may be experiencing.

I am strong, healthy, and happy with who I am. I know I can never be perfect, but with these healthy habits I know I am respecting the only body God gave me and I thank him for this life everyday.