Everyone has heard about the so-called "Freshman 15." It's the myth that being in college will make you gain 15 pounds. People usually talk about it jokingly, and I did too:
"Make sure you work out, or you'll gain a lot of weight!"
"Don't let that dining hall food get to you!"
"College students can only afford to eat junk. Don't let that happen to you!"
It's my first year at Temple University, and this myth has been true for me. I'm so busy that I can't find time to exercise as much as I used to. I don't eat too healthy as I could because healthy food isn't as convenient. I drink way more coffee than ever.
I haven't gained 15 pounds, but I've definitely gained weight. At first I played along with the joke, saying that I was just proving that the myth of the Freshman 15 is true.
After a while, though, I started to criticize myself excessively. I hated that I couldn't find time in my day to take care of my body.
Sometimes, I still look in the mirror and feel sad that my body isn't as muscular as it used to be. My jeans fit a bit tighter.
But why do I feel so bad about gaining weight? Why do I fear stepping on a scale and seeing how much weight I've really gained?
This is when fearing the Freshman 15 can become unhealthy. Putting yourself down for gaining weight or not exercising as much as you used to can really damage your body image.
It's normal to use weight gain as an incentive to adopt a healthy lifestyle. But it's not normal to use it as a reason to hate yourself.
Give yourself a break. Realize that your lifestyle has changed, even though adjusting to that can be difficult.
It's hard to work out every day in college. Feeling good about your body despite gaining weight or losing muscle tone does not mean abandoning your body; it means feeling good enough about it to want to live a healthy lifestyle. And no, living a healthy lifestyle isn't just losing weight. It's loving yourself and your body despite its flaws.
I don't think I'll truly have the motivation to work out and eat healthier if I am constantly putting myself down. The same idea applies to most people. Living a healthy lifestyle isn't just what you do on the outside. It's also what you tell your body when it isn't at its best.
Let's stop fearing the Freshman 15. Instead, let's start loving our bodies despite what happens. The motivation to live a healthier lifestyle will follow.
