Weight Loss Tips for Busy NYC College Students

By Gilmarie Brioso on July 31, 2012

When you call a particular action a fad, it surrounds that act and anyone who performs it with a negative connotation. Almost as if the term “fad” diminished whatever good the particular action accomplished. For example, I believe the “going green” movement to be a fad. But that doesn’t make the trend any less legitimate. It just means that at a certain point in time, the notion of eco-friendliness gained extreme awareness and popularity.

Well, the “save the environment” campaign has come and gone. Now a new fad has risen up: that of health and weight loss. As of late, people have been focusing on all that is organic, raw and unprocessed, turning to hobbies such as yoga, pilates or tai-chi.

Like most of the population, I too have succumb to these pursuits, only to find that it is absolutely exhausting. I see two reasons for my not being to keep up with the latest obsession.

A. I am a busy New Yorker.

B. I am a busy college student.

As a New Yorker, I move at a very fast pace. I have to get to places in a hurry; I need things done quickly; I want things immediately. As a college student, my time should only be spent in the library, at class, or working for an internship.

Because of this, I have decided to make this fad work for me by acquiring a few small, quick habits that I can incorporate into my daily life.

Walk Everywhere

Walking is a great way to fit exercise into your loaded schedule. Try taking strolls at a moderate pace for about 30 minutes each day. You’ll come to enjoy this habit. Bring your iPod along for a rest from studying. Walks are also a great source of inspiration. If you’re stuck on the fifth page of a ten-page essay, go for a walk! You’ll be surprised at how quickly your creative block vanishes. If you miss your daily 30-minutes, get off a train stop earlier and walk to your destination. Or try the reverse, walk past your usual train station to the next. This is an easy way to get the heart pumping and that cardio in.

Go for the Spice

Spicy foods are amazing fat burners. According to an article on WebMD, “Spicy foods contain chemical compounds that can kick the metabolism into a higher gear. Eating a tablespoon of chopped red or green chili pepper can boost your metabolic rate.” My personal favorites are jalapeño peppers, powdered cayenne pepper and Cholua hot sauce. I try to incorporate them in all of my meals.

Garlic

Garlic is another fat burner. One article claims garlic to be “a miracle food…[containing] the compound allicin which has anti-bacterial effects and helps reduce unhealthy fats and cholesterol.” It is also a great substitute for salt, making this seasoning a double whammy: reducing your sodium intake as well as adding great flavor to food.

Reach for the Bubbles

Everyone knows that water to be a must. But sometimes it’s hard to obtain a healthy amount of that flavorless liquid, especially when there are so many other tasty options out there. That is why I turn to seltzer water. The bubbles in the seltzer water fill you up faster, stopping you from reaching for that second sesame bagel. Add a couple of lemon slices and/or bits of fruit, creating an excellent alternative to soda and/or fruit drinks. A glass of seltzer water is about the equivalent to a glass of regular water. So for those of you who aren’t a fan of H2O, trick yourself with this fizzy drink instead.

Start out small and then repeat until these tidbits become a natural part of you routine.

So tell me, what are some of your tricks?