Dr. Jennifer McKenzie, a third year Exercise Science/Nutrition professor, is giving McDaniel students her top five dieting tricks just in time for spring break. No matter how hard students try, living on campus in a college atmosphere poses difficulties for those trying to remain healthy. Using Dr.McKenzie’s tips could give students an edge just in time for the warm weather.
1) Exercise more: No matter how much you eat or drink, weight loss and healthier living cannot be achieved without adequate exercise. Try different forms of exercise so you don’t get stuck in a rut with your workouts.
2) Watch late night snacking: College dorms and apartments are the ideal spot for late night snacking. Try to keep healthier snack options in your room and less quantities in order to cutback.
3) Alcohol has calories: One of the most popular activities on college campuses is also kryptonite to anyone trying to diet or have a healthier lifestyle. Moderation is the key when it comes to alcohol.
4) Eat breakfast: Breakfast kick starts your metabolism. Skipping any meal is not healthy, but breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
5) Watch portion sizes: It’s less about what foods you eat and more about how much food. Try cutting down on large meals by eating more small snacks throughout the day.
Students around campus have their own diet tricks too. Chelsea Watkins, a junior, believes eating a lot of fruit is a key to her healthy lifestyle. She says, “I like to eat a lot of food, but I try to eat healthy options, that way I can eat more.” Chuck Kronmiller, a sophomore, “does resistance cardiovascular exercises such as incline on machines and weighed abdominal exercises” to stay in healthy shape.Everyone has their own strategies, but if you find yourself unable to figure out a system thatworks, use Dr. McKenzie’s tips for a healthier you.
I'm thankful the focus of this article was how to achieve a "healthier you" rather than a "thinner you" – especially in light of it being National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. I do, however, think that the implication that these tips come "just in time for warm weather" suggest that weight loss and being thin is necessary to wear skimpier clothing and bathing suits which perpetuate this thin ideal in our culture. I wish there would have been some "every body is beautiful" and "you're just fine the way you are" messaging in here.