#fitblackchicks

Exam season is finally upon us! Late night study sessions, minimal sleeping hours, and exhaustion seem like an almost insurmountable struggle but don't let these trying times keep you from your weight-loss goals. When you're tired and fatigued it will be very very VERY tempting to grab something quick and sugary to get you through that last hour of studying or jolt you awake just long enough for that test but that temporary fix will have bad effects on your body and might actually hinder your efforts to succeed. 

Here are some things that will help you do well on your exams and keep you healthy:

1. Try to keep regular sleeping hours: I know that it may sound like Mission Impossible but getting regular sleep will rejuvenate your brain and keep it firing in top shape thorough all of your tests. Crucial activity happens during those 8 hours and getting good rest can help improve your memory (so you can actually recall all that information you shoved into your head). Lack of sleep also contributed heavily to moodiness, stress, weight gain and decreased resistance to tempting junk food.

2. Keep healthy snacks around you: Having ready access to good food that's good for you will help keep you on the Path of Clean Eating. You'll be more likely to eat well if that's what you can grab first. Putting good fuel into your body will help you get good things out of it (like an A on your exam). 

3. Remember to drink plenty of water!!! This cannot be said too many times...it just can't be. Your body needs water to function properly and when you're feeling tired and stressed all you can think about is that espresso or energy drink or coffee that has never failed you when you needed it. But your trying to do better and sometimes you just have to let your old friends go when their holding you back :'( If you incorporate the first two then you won't even need them. Some beneficial natural energy boosters you should look for are green tea, maybe with ginseng, or Chai tea.

4. Keep exercising. Exercise will help keep you're spirits and heart rate high. Elle Woods said it best in Legally Blonde that "exercise makes endorphins, and endorphins make you happy!" Exercise will help boost your confidence and benefit you long term. So take a break between studying and your job and go to the gym, take a walk, jog around the track, or pop in your favorite yoga DVD and get moving!

5. Pray. Prayer and meditation are good for the soul. It can help you find even the smallest moment of peace and bring you down from the high levels of stress that accompany final exams.

Some of this may seem like too much to you but even if you just do one of these things differently you'll still be moving toward a healthy college lifestyle. 

Good luck on your exams,