Help with being healthy in uni!

I'm a first-year university student and I live in residence. Because I started uni when I was still 17, my parents have been helping me pay for everything. They paid for my tuition, my rent, and gave me $400 for groceries (which is long gone by now). My school's residence building is different from most because each room actually has 2 seperate bedrooms, a kitchen, and a bathroom, rather than a room with two beds and then a communal kitchen and bathroom. Because we have our own kitchen, we have our own full-sized fridge. The problem I've been having is that whenever my roommate and I go grocery shopping, we spend tons of money We usually do have a list, too. I always try to buy healthy foods, and because I'm a Nutrition student I know what kinds of foods I should buy, but the thing is, they are so expensive. 5 oranges are $7.99. Tomatoes are $6.99 for 4. Carrots are $5.00 for a small bag. And the money adds up. Also, usually when I buy groceries, when we get back to our dorm and we're putting stuff away, it seems like we have so much, but when I want to cook something, we literally have nothing in our fridge! I've applied for a few jobs but I haven't heard back from any. I am expecting a cheque for $1300 from the government for doing well in high school next month, but I don't want to waste it. It's really tiring not being able to afford healthy foods and not ever having any food in our fridge.

ALSO, I have no way of working out! I've been a competitive cheerleader for 6 years, so I was always used to conditioning and working out often. But when I moved this year I wasn't able to join one of the local teams because 1. they are too expensive for me, and 2. their gym is too far away and would take about an hour by train to get there. I know people are thinking "what about your school's gym?" But my classes end every day at 12pm, so though I applied as a full-time student, my school doesn't consider me one. The gym as well as other recreational activities and facilities are only free to full-time students, and cost about $150/month for everyone else. I obviously don't have that, and I can't ask my parents to spend that much monthly for me when they've already spent and are still spending so much. I've tried working out in my room a few times (cardio) but there's not really much I can do that won't disturb the people on the floor below me. There's also very, very little space for me to do anything in my room. My last option is of course just going for runs outside. I hate running, to be honest. I didn't even like it when I was in cheer. Actually, even if I did like it, I wouldn't be able to do it anyway, since there's snow and slush and ice already (though I'm hoping it will melt..). Are there any options I'm missing? I'm really tired of not doing anything but it seems like there's nothing I can do.

Thank you :)

Replies

  • elsyoommen
    elsyoommen Posts: 155 Member
    what city/country are you living in? people can give you ideas for more affordable groceries. as well as activities in your area.
  • olivetree_
    olivetree_ Posts: 75 Member
    I'm in Alberta, Canada.
  • I've only been to Ontario, but is there a No Frills, or other discount grocery store near you? The prices you're currently paying for produce are ridiculous! Definitely shop around for the best deals.

    And it sucks that it's already cold and you don't have any space. I know there are exercises designed for sedentary office workers to do at their desks, try googling for some of those. And also look into other body weight fitness exercises, which you don't need a gym for. Also, of course, winter sports. Snowshoeing, cross country skiiing, ice skating, hiking, etc. I don't know how much of an investment getting the proper equipment for those things would be, but it's worth looking into.
  • olivetree_
    olivetree_ Posts: 75 Member
    I've only been to Ontario, but is there a No Frills, or other discount grocery store near you? The prices you're currently paying for produce are ridiculous! Definitely shop around for the best deals.

    And it sucks that it's already cold and you don't have any space. I know there are exercises designed for sedentary office workers to do at their desks, try googling for some of those. And also look into other body weight fitness exercises, which you don't need a gym for. Also, of course, winter sports. Snowshoeing, cross country skiiing, ice skating, hiking, etc. I don't know how much of an investment getting the proper equipment for those things would be, but it's worth looking into.

    I'm sure there are cheaper places to grocery shop but because I don't have a car the place I grocery shop is one train stop away (about a 3 minute ride), or a 5 minute walk. *sigh*
  • ahimsa1990
    ahimsa1990 Posts: 16 Member
    Are there vege markets near you? I spend around $20-30 per week at markets and that covers all my fruit and veg and eggs. Also in terms of joining the gym I think you should keep applying for jobs to cover the cost of a membership. I am a uni student and the majority of my money goes towards good food and fitness as well.