Health and fitness is a hot topic among the college population.

Celebrities and media, such as Pinterest, may have helped make being fit cool again, but taking the actual initiative to get up and work out or eat healthy often proves to be more difficult and expensive than students initially expect.

Knowing where and how to properly get started on leading a healthy life- and on a college student’s budget- can be frustrating, but there are a lot of things right here in Monroe that students can take advantage of to help put them on the right path without spending all their laundry change.

The ULM campus offers convenient, healthy choices like the Activity Center, Subway, and canoeing on the bayou. While these are convenient, they can become routine.

There are multiple community parks that serve as an alternative change in scenery instead of always staying on campus to get your workout in.

Whether you want to get your cardio up or you are in need of a little quarter-life crisis thinking time, you can choose from a variety of parks to soak up some Vitamin D.

Take a stroll on the scenic, stone walking trail at Restoration Park, grab some tennis gear and head to the courts at Forsythe Park, or give historical Kiroli Park a try.

Getting enough vitamin D per day can potentially help lower your risk of multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and heart disease, according to Livestrong.com

For students looking for a more intense workout, Monroe offers programs such as High Octane Boot Camp and CrossFit 318.

Health goes beyond working out.

There are multiple local businesses that offer health foods and make it easier for students who aren’t so confident in their nutritional choices.

Fiesta Nutrition Center is one option for students trying to jumpstart a healthy lifestyle.

“You name your problem and I can assure you we are all trained to help you in every way possible,” said Kayla Smith, Fiesta Nutrition sales associate and ULM student.

Students can find products there to improve fitness and also to potentially help raise their grades.

“We also have supplements to help with a healthy study habit with products such as ginkgo and DHA which help with memory, brain recall and focus,” Smith said.

If baked goods are what tempt you, Daily Harvest Bakery and Deli is another healthy option.

Daily Harvest even accepts Warhawk Express.

“Being unhealthy is so easy to do. We sometimes look for the easy way out,” said Kanada DeBurr, a junior Mass Communication major.

“It’s really not that difficult to live healthy. We’re just lazy and prefer to do other things,” DeBurr said.

There are many options to help lead a healthy lifestyle right here in Monroe. You just have to take initiative and think a little outside of the box.