Get ready to meet the best version of yourself in 2022 with these incredibly easy ways to become more healthy without overwhelming yourself. During my years at The University of Illinois, I utilized all these tips to stay healthy and maintain a bodybuilder physique.
1. Drink More Water
For those who want to kick off 2022 with great health goals, and ones that don’t require much effort, drinking more water is the best choice. Not only will your body stay hydrated and properly functioning but you’ll have more energy and feel better during the day.
If you struggle to drink water on a daily basis or simply don’t find the motivation to stick to it, consider investing in a cute water bottle and accessories to trick your brain into liking it. College girls will love this Basic Babe Collection by CharCharms that is filled with the most aesthetic and long-lasting water bottle accessories.
2. Go For A Walk
Going to the gym does wonders for your body thus it can help you achieve the best version of yourself, but daily walks can do the same too! It's a great way to get started if committing to the gym seems daunting. You can start by ditching the bus and walking to class instead. Try your best to walk everywhere on campus, even when it's cold. You can then try going to the gym to walk on the treadmill too. Even if you only manage to go for a brief 15 minute walk, it will make a huge difference.
Keeping a water bottle aside you will help tremendously especially on those very hot days that call for extra hydration. It's also a lot easier to fill up your reusable water bottle instead of buying plastic ones everyday... the cost starts to add up!
3. Eat More Veggies
Perhaps an old-fashioned way to be healthy but a good one, eating more vegetables and fruits is a great way to get all the nutrients you need in your diet and keep illnesses and allergies away. There’s no need to go crazy and throw everything you have in your fridge and replace it with green plants, but substituting some food or adding more veggies to your assembled meal can help you achieve your health goals in 2022. Most college dining halls have a salad bar or some sort of vegetable that they serve with every meal. Do your best to start with these foods first, then dig into the protein, and carbs.
Find what you like and try to include it in your routine. Fruits make the best snacks for in-between classes. My personal favorite is baby mandarines, and apples! Another great snack is a baggie of baby carrots that are easy to munch on where ever you are on campus.
4. Find Balance
Being healthy is not sticking to a strict diet and killing yourself in the gym, but rather making small changes that have a huge impact on your life such as adding more natural food options, doing some kind of physical activity a few times a week, and feeling good with yourself.
Finding balance is key to achieving your health goals and not becoming overwhelmed with what society determines as healthy. There’s nothing wrong with having an ice cream when you want nor to skip one workout if you feel too tired to do it, but having some discipline and finding a good balance between what you want to do and what you should do to keep your body healthy is the main goal.
Some techniques I personally found worked best for me were to go to the gym 4-5 days a week, and eat the same healthy foods M-F. On the weekends I would have a meal with friends and have some fun. This helped me keep balance in my life and didn't make me feel restricted with my lifestyle.
I personally avoided going to bars and drinking because I was a bodybuilder, but my health conscious fitness friends would limit drinking to once per weekend and never give in to the 'munchies' or 'drunk food'.
CharCharms Founder - Charlotte Trecartin
2022 is YOUR YEAR. You got this!
XOXX The CharCharms Team
