Fight The Freshman 15 With This Dorm Room Workout | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Fight The Freshman 15 With This Dorm Room Workout

Don't let the Freshman 15 turn into the Sophomore 20 and Junior 30.

41
Fight The Freshman 15 With This Dorm Room Workout
Williamette Collegian

Now that you're in college you're probably discovering how stressing out over tests or staying out too late is affecting your eating habits and consequently your weight. It's so easy to put your health on the back burner when trying to focus on school, and unfortunately the pounds can start to sneak up on you quickly. I'm sure you've heard of The Freshman 15, and trust me it is no joke. It doesn't just happen freshman year, it can quickly turn into Sophomore 20 and Junior 30. My freshman year I was intimidated by the campus gym but I wanted to still maintain a fitness routine so I resorted to getting creative in my dorm room. If you're not able to be active outside or are intimidated by the gym, working out at home can be a great way to tone up. Here's some of the exercises I did in my dorm room that helped me stay toned -- and feel less guilty about how much Taco Bell I consumed.

Arms:

When it comes to arm workouts, unless you have a set of weights it can be difficult to find ways to work the different muscles, but I found a few great ways to tone my arms at home.

Push ups: These can be done in a few variations and using your own body weight is one of the best ways to build strength. If you're not strong enough to do regular push ups start out with inclined push ups using your wall, bed frame or desk until you build the strength to do them on the floor.

Triceps dips: Using your desk chair you can work your triceps with this super easy exercise.

Shoulders: A simple way to tone your shoulders is to grip a textbook with your arms down in front of you, slowly raising the book to eye level then back down again, keeping your arms straight the whole time.

Legs:

If you have a pretty open floor space you will be able to do almost any leg exercise, these are a few of my favorites.

Squats: Fill your backpack with textbooks or other heavy things and wear it backwards across your chest and stomach. Keep your heels on the ground and arms stretched out front when squatting.

Lunges: Grab your heavy textbook again and hold it, arms straight, above your head and do alternating lunges.

Step ups: Using your desk chair you can do high-knee step ups like this picture shows, or raise your free leg straight out behind you.


Booty:

Squats and lunges are a surefire way to build the booty, but there's a few other exercises I like to incorporate into my workout, too.

Bridge ups: Make sure to slide a yoga mat or some sort of padding underneath you to make this exercise less painful. Raise your hips as high as you can and hold at the top for a few seconds for each repetition. On the last rep I like to hold it at the top as long as I can.

Donkey kicks: These are my favorite because they not only target the booty but also help get rid of cellulite!


Abs:

What I like to do for ab exercises is search on Pinterest and do a different workout each time, my favorite so far has been the "300 Abs". One thing I always incorporate at the end of my workouts is a plank and hold it for as long as I can.


This short workout alone isn't always enough to combat the Freshman 15, but exercise combined with healthy food choices, plenty of rest and water, and avoiding alcohol you can guarantee that you wont gain unnecessary weight.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

69813
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

3639
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

7720
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments