If you have ever attended college, you know the struggles of the Freshman 15. It is real, it is uncomfortable, and it is scary. Here are 10 sad-but-true facts about the Freshman 15, in order to raise your awareness:
1. Fast food every day will catch up to you.
We should rename this section “Chick-fil-A, and Domino's, and Whataburger, Oh my!,” because honestly, fast food is scary. It is scary in the sense that it changes your once slim figure into the rolls and cellulite of nightmares. Food, such as Chick-fil-A, is dangerous because it is so hard not to order those extra four nuggets. It takes a certain type of person not to artfully coat their nuggets in Chick-fil-A sauce. Therefore, be wary of the temptations of fast food.
2. Late-night snacking kills (dreams of beach bodies).
It is understandable that as a collegiate one may get the urge to eat an entire sleeve of thin mints at 11 o’clock at night after a long day, but resist the urge! This is a surefire way to pack on the pounds. Late-night eating does not benefit the body in any way, shape, or form. In fact, the bodies’ metabolism is lower when nearing sleep. As a result, digestion occurs at a much slower rate, making weight gain a likely problem.
3. How good you feel on a daily basis will decline.
As a result of all of this extra weight, you will notice a decline in your general state of being. Weight weighs you down emotionally, as much as it does physically. So keep up with your mental health too. The journey into college is not always easy. Stay strong, freshmen.
4. You are the maker of your own destiny.
Let this hit home. Now, that you are at college, there is no one here to tell you what to do. Mom is not here anymore to fix you breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This offers up A LOT of freedom, and some people simply cannot handle it. What should they do? Learn control. You are the maker of your own destiny.
5. You will be safe if you learn the word “moderation.”
All-you-can-eat buffets are not your new best friend, no matter how much your wallet thinks so. When there is no limit to the amount of food that can be eaten, it is very easy to get carried away. That is why when preparing food or going out to eat is best if you know appropriate portion size. Because an extra-large Domino’s pizza is not appropriate for one teenage girl.
6. Eating will not make you friends (your personality will).
Eating as a form of social acceptance does not improve the way others view you. What it does improve is the chance that you will break the scale at your next weigh-in. Eating habits, like those of seeking acceptance, are not healthy. Healthy eating habits, like eating on a regular schedule, are key to not gaining the Freshman 15.
7. You need to exercise.
In high school, it is very likely that you were on a school sports team and got your exercise there. Now, you do not have that outlet to get your daily fitness in. With all of this extra eating, maintaining a routine workout schedule is a good idea.
8. Irregular eating patterns are B.A.D.
A set schedule for eating is key, because otherwise snacking occurs. Snacking is a beast that not many can tame. However, with a regular eating pattern, it defeats the urge to snack.
9. Partying can cause pounds.
Ladies and Gentlemen, that “virgin” strawberry daiquiri you are drinking has more calories than you think. That is all I am going to say about THAT.
10. The struggle is real.
Many people, like myself, think (thought) that the Freshman 15 is a lie. It is not, it is very real. So be wary, all who care about the fit of their jeans. You will not come home looking the same as you did when you left.
Don’t let the Freshman 15 rule your life, simply be aware of the possible demise of your once-flawless body.
It is most important that you are healthy and at a good weight for your body. If you fall into those two categories, do not stress about the few extra pounds.
