This month, I’m making a conscious effort to prioritize my health. Lately, It’s been one too many sweet treats and I’ve finally decided to turn a new leaf.

Firstly, I’ve been on a no-sugar diet. Drawing from past experiences, I’ve noticed how much better I feel when I consume less sugar. Back home, it was super easy for me to go without sugar for months on end. However, it’s not the same in college. It seems like everything around me has sugar and there’s no escaping. Breakfasts have been the hardest. On mornings when I work at the dining hall, I face the challenge of finding vegetarian, non-sweet, and less carb-heavy breakfast options. Yet, I’ve been really good at staying away from sugar and it’s making me feel so much better about myself.

I’ve also stepped up my gym routine, now hitting the gym five days a week. The Campus Recreation and Wellness Center is one of my favorite things about Iowa. There’s just so much to do – rock climbing, Yoga classes, Zumba classes, swimming pools, running tracks – there’s something for everyone! It’s so much easier when you have a gym partner to keep you accountable and make it more fun. We go to exercise but we end up laughing more than anything and it’s been great fun.

I’m really loving being on this journey of working on myself. As humans, we’re a constant work in progress and I think it’s so important to spend a month or two dedicated to bettering yourself.