When preparing for spring break, the internet will tell you to start running bleachers, only eat cabbage soup or go on a juice cleanse. That sounds terrible, so here are three ways to prepare for spring break without wanting to die.
Skip the transit or Uber and walk
Not taking a transit to class or an Uber home from downtown for a week adds up. Add a heavy backpack to the walk, and you’ve got yourself a low-intensity workout. Walking also gives you energy by boosting circulation and oxygen supply to every cell in the body, which can make you feel more alert and alive. It also tones your legs, abs and glutes. Not to mention, you’ll also save a lot of money (for spring break) by avoiding Ubers and taxis.
Places to walk in Auburn:
Chewacla State Park
Toomer’s Corner
Donald E. Davis Arboretum
Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve
Pick your poison wisely
Most diet infographics on Pinterest will tell you to completely cut out alcohol, but that’s easier said than done. A good rule of thumb when drinking is to pay attention to the sugar content in drinks. Sugary drinks like margaritas have around 500 calories, but vodka sodas have 96 calories. If you drink around five drinks downtown, that’s a good 2000 calories saved.
Better drink choices:
Champagne: Most glasses of champagne have around 85 calories. Plus it feels fancier to sip champagne than to sip a Natty Light.
Sea Breeze: A simple but yummy drink with grapefruit juice, cranberry juice (nutrients!) and vodka. It’s also a well drink, ranking in around 180 calories.
Vodka Pineapple Diet Sprite: A better alternative to a piña colada if you still want the pineapple flavor. It’s also a well drink, and around 100 calories.
Life is short; eat the pizza
Skipping meals won’t help you lose weight. Our bodies need food to function, so it’s better to have a slice of pizza in your stomach than having nothing at all. However, there is a way to make that slice feel a little more guilt-free. Try dabbing your midnight slice of Little Italy’s with a napkin before you eat. Dabbing a napkin to soak up pizza grease before eating reduces the fat content by 4 1/2 grams per slice, which is around 40 calories per slice. If you’re more of a 2 a.m. Waffle House person, the same can be applied to other greasy foods like sausage and bacon.
Late night eats:
Pita Pit (10 to 4 a.m.): Most options at Pita Pi are healthier than other late night eats, and you can choose your veggies.
Taco Bell (7 to 4 a.m.): Soft tacos, the Chalupa Supreme and the Nacho Supreme are good examples of low calorie items that won’t cost you more than a few bucks.
Jimmy John’s (10:30 to 3 a.m.): Some of the subs can be high calorie, but they’re extremely filling so you’ll be less likely to snack later. Bonus: They deliver.
Waffle House (24 hours): Hash browns aren’t the healthiest choice, but potatoes are high in potassium. Potassium helps maintain normal blood pressure, which is enough reason for anyone to order hash browns.
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