Spring Break leads to unhealthy dieting

Coming up in a few weeks students across the country will be heading out to spring break.
     
Unfortunately, many of those students are currently doing harmful diets and physical activity to get ready.
     
Enter any college recreation center and you'll likely see dozens of students cramming the machines.

"People trying to come in and get that last minute cardio, and the abs and everything, definitely just everyone trying to come in and get in shape," said Evan Norris, a Junior student at Indiana State University.
     
Norris is like many kids, heading to the beach.
     
However, looking good takes a lot more than spending hours in the gym.

While many people think that getting in shape for spring break starts in the gym, it actually starts in the grocery store.

"Number one is diet," said Larry Thompson, a trainer at Anytime Fitness in Terre Haute. "You can't eat a bunch of calories and expect to lose weight. Your body is going to burn x-amount of calories, but if you consume more than those calories that you're burning, than you're going to gain weight."
     
However, could you actually be hurting your body instead of helping it? The answer is yes.

"People are trying to suppress their appetite at the last minute and trying to lose that five to ten pounds and it's just not very healthy for them," said Norris.
     
Extreme dieting and physical activity can not only burn out your body, it can also affect your moods.

"You see low energy, maybe irritability, you know, people just not happy," said Thompson.
     
The best thing is to start as far in advance as possible. Instead of losing five pounds in one week, try dropping a pound or two a week for a month. Doing this will not only help you slim down, but you'll also have the energy to actually enjoy your week off.

"You have to establish healthy eating habits for not only the diet but for a lifetime," said Thompson. "It's not just about the physical appearance but it's about being healthy overall so you can look good and feel good."