Tests, homework, quizzes, projects, studying. When will it ever end? We know that school consists of all these things and consumes almost every day of our lives but how is this healthy for us to do every day? We can’t forget the students who have work after school and struggle just to get their homework done for the night. If students are this busy all the time, then how does society possibly expect us to get a good workout in during a day? How are we supposed to keep a good, balanced diet when we don’t have any time to cook up a good meal and all we have time for is fast food? Fortunately, I’ve figured out a way to stay happy, healthy, and active throughout high school and I’m hoping that after this you will too.
Every day my alarm wakes me up for school at 7:15, yet I’m still somehow always rushing to get out of the house to get to school on time. No matter how late or early you may be for school, you should always have time for breakfast. To start off the day, you should grab some fruit or a granola bar before you run out the door. This is a good start to staying healthy. Instead of a big chocolate chip cookie from the lunch ladies at school, this would be the better option. Something else that is very important for your body is water. This is why it is a great idea to take a water bottle to school and sip on water throughout the day. We are even provided here with great water fountains that can properly refill your empty bottles for you! These are just the simple ways for keeping your health under control. Sitting at a desk for seven hours isn’t ideal, but it’s what we have to do. This is why it’s what we do after school hours that really matter.
On that note, thankfully we were put on this world with sports. Sports have helped many students get a great workout after school. While it is a great way for students to get a good workout, not everyone participates in sports and that’s okay. Many will go to work after school, have a band lesson, spend time with family, or just may not enjoy sports. This is why it is so hard for many students to be motivated to exercise. The only problem is that some students do have time and they just don’t make the effort. “The reason I exercise is for the quality of life I enjoy,” says Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper. It’s okay to get up early in the morning before school and get a good workout in. It’s fine to stay after school and run or get in the weight room even if it’s only for 30 minutes. Some exercise is better than none at all. Exercise is a part of staying healthy and is a huge requirement for a quality life. Exercise makes you feel good and accomplished and the pain is only temporary; it won’t last forever. Instead of taking the elevator at the mall, take those stairs. It may not seem like it, but it really does make a difference Whenever it isn’t soccer or track season for me, I make sure to stay after school almost every day and go for a run, get in the weight room, go down to the track, or even do some core workouts. Some days I have work as well, so I’ll just cut my workout down. As long as I got something done for myself and for my health, then that’s all that really matters.
Don’t be afraid to go that extra mile. Stay after school and lift, go on the elliptical before work, get on the treadmill for fifteen minutes. Don’t be afraid to release that energy from your body to make it happy Most importantly, don’t neglect to refuel your body with the nutrients that it needs. Before any type of workout, or to keep yourself healthy in general, you should make sure to get a good lunch in school. I know it can be hard sometimes with all the food that is provided for us, but it’s as simple as making smarter decisions. Grab the orange instead of the ice cream bar. Get water or Gatorade instead of a soda. Even packing your own lunch could be more beneficial for you. “You feel better when you’re eating food that retains nutritional value,” notes actress Amber Heard. Make sure to get protein in the mix as well as fruits and vegetables. Your body will thank you later for those small changes. Other than lunch, whenever you are finished with a workout, you should make sure to refuel your body with a proper meal to keep you strong. Don’t punish your body by not feeding it. Food is what helps us stay healthy. Eat a good pasta dinner or even a nice salad and reward your body at the end of the day. A good, well-balanced meal well get you ready for the days to come.
High school is a huge priority in student’s lives and it should be. We’re always worrying about our grades or studying for that huge test that we forgot about. It can make us cranky and tired, but that’s just how life is. Motivation is one main thing that can keep us going, and if you don’t have that then it makes things so much harder. Even if it’s changing your eating habits or going for a jog, they make a huge difference. Set new goals for yourself each week and you will eventually see the amazing results. In the end it will all pay off and I guarantee that you will be much more satisfied with the way that you feel. Being healthy is a choice; I hope you will make the right decisions.