How To Get Back On Track After Summer Break

How To Get Back On Track After Summer Break Image via thelivefitgirls.com The Most Important Meal Once you get your kitchen in order, its time to start consuming proper meals. Start by preparing nutritious breakfasts that will set you up for a successful day (and the desire to maintain your healthy eating for every subsequent meal). According to the Huffington Post, the reasons to eat breakfast abound: it could help you stay slim, it can improve concentration and performance, it could contribute to a healthier overall diet, and it helps to jump-start your metabolism in the morning. But what should you eat for breakfast? While classics such as a bowl full of sugary cereal or an egg sandwich might seem like the obvious choices, some of these picks can pack a ton of calories. Rather than eating a bowl of cereal opt for a jar of overnight oats with bananas and stevia sweetened chocolate chips, which you can consume hot or cold and prepare the night before for a hassle-free morning meal. If you prefer something savory, try mashing an avocado on sprouted bread and topping it with a poached egg, some low fat cheese, and red pepper flakes. Who says eating healthy has to be boring? Take a look at some of these super easy, healthy breakfast recipes and see for yourself! Image via pinterest.com Plan and Prep Try to plan your meals a few days in advance so that you know what you’re shopping for once you hit the grocery store without getting side tracked by all of the shiny junk food. Make sure to pick up/prepare healthy snacks that you can take on the fly or resort to in times of inter-meal hunger. You want to consume between 100-200 calories when snacking along with at least four grams of healthy fats, fiber, or protein. Some of my personal favorite snacks include apples with almond butter, nonfat plain Greek yogurt and berries, or cucumbers spritzed with liquid aminos and paprika. If I need a little pick-me-up in between classes, I love to reach for these No-Bake Energy balls that pack in a little guilt-free sweetness. Be sure to keep high-calorie food out of your kitchen to avoid any temptation (that means ice cream and chips are a NO!). Part of setting yourself up for success is also planning ahead for the days when you will not have time to prepare a full meal. In order to do this, you can dedicate one day biweekly to cook up a double batch of a healthy big meal and freeze it for later. Portion the meals into single servings or large containers that can easily be defrosted for those unexpected days of chaos. Incorporate Fitness Once you bounce back on the healthy eating grind, it’s time to get moving again. Although, finding time to exercise between school, work, and having a social life can be a challenge for even the most organized person. However, physical activity is a vital part of staying healthy during your college years. Physical activity will help you not only to lose weight, but also increase your chances of maintaining a healthy lifestyle in the future. Remember, an exercise program doesnt have to take hours you dont have. As little as 30 minutes a day, three days a week can start to improve your physical fitness. Catch Some Zzzz’s Even if you are on top of your diet and exercise, you won’t find success if you are unable to obtain adequate amounts of rest. College students are one of the most sleep-deprived populations. A study from Brown University has found that approximately 11 percent of students report good sleep, while 73 percent report sleep problems. Sleep deprivation in students has been linked to lower GPAs because sleep affects concentration, memory and the ability to learn.  In order to function to your full potential, adults need an average of 8-10 hours of sleep per night. The best way to begin a restful sleep routine is by waking up early and going to sleep before midnight. So if you don’t consider yourself a morning person it’s time to start changing your habits!