As an incoming freshman, I heard all about the freshman fifteen. You come to college, you’re not used to having to feed yourself and you gain weight—a lot of weight. I definitely didn’t believe it, and I definitely wasn’t prepared. So I, like so many other college freshman, gained more than fifteen pounds my first year of college. If you actually plan and try not to gain weight, it wouldn’t be that hard, but almost no one does. So here’s a little help with what NOT to do.   

1. Let’s start with the obvious: eat fast food all the time. Yes, it’s easier. Yes, it’s usually cheaper, and while you have block meals that get you fast food, they also get you into the cafeteria. (I know it’s not always the best, but there are more healthy options there. After all, there is always salad bar.) I’m not saying never eat fast food; just use some of the money you would use for fast food toward healthy groceries instead.  

2. Binge on Netflix. Don’t lie, we’ve all done it, and we all continue to do it. (Some of you are probably doing it right now.) Netflix is great. I just finished OITNB. There are so many other healthy things to do instead, though. Go learn to climb the rock wall at the Sanderson Center. Train for a 5K. Explore campus on a bike, or even walking for that matter. Play Dance Dance Revolution. Sitting on your butt doing absolutely nothing is just the worst thing you could do. (Especially on top of eating Panda Express every day.)   

3. Using ALL of your flex dollars. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes it is necessary. But with the Greek plan, you get so many flex dollars that at the end of the semester; you go crazy trying to buy everything. Panda twice a day, plus Starbucks and maybe Chik-fil-A ice cream for dinner? Not such a good combination. Remember, flex dollars roll over from fall semester to spring semester, so you don’t have to try to blow them all.     

4. Eating more at home (because free food, right?). I didn’t think about this last year, but every time I go home, my mom asks what I want the pantry stocked with, and it always includes Zebra Cakes. Surprise, those aren’t healthy. If all you’re eating is fast food at school, and then you go home to only eat junk food, that weight you just gained isn’t going anywhere. So, when Mom asks what you want, tell her a home cooked meal. Let her cook something that includes vegetables. Your digestive system will thank you.