We’ve all heard of the nightmare that is the “freshman 15.” To think that you could move away from home and magically blow up like a blimp is terrifying, but it doesn’t have to happen to you. Below are some ways to help avoid the Freshman Fifteen, because it is possible.
1. Change your diet.
Let’s face it. We’re all really young and used to being able to eat whatever we want. However, this won’t fly in college. When you’re on your own and no longer the star athlete of your high school, things start to change: your metabolism slows, you feel the constant need for snacking, and you don’t get the same exercise that you used to. These are all things that factor into weight gain. Although most things fixed in Saga are not healthy, there are some healthy options. Try the salad bar, wheat pasta bowls, or even make yourself a delicious spinach wrap with low fat turkey in the sandwich line. Also, aside from changes in food, also change what you drink. Cutting out the sweet teas or daily glasses of Mountain Dew can make all the difference in the world, and drinking more water can help you feel more energized and ready for your day.
2. Resist the urge to snack.
I can assure you that when you’re up until 2 a.m. writing a paper or studying for a test, you are going to want to snack to keep your mind off of how stressed you are. Well, RESIST THE URGE YOUNG GRASSHOPPER. Stay away from the chips, cookies, a sodas. If you really feel that you are hungry or need a snack that late at night, choose grapes or even a low fat granola bar. Make good choices!
3. Workout regularly.
When I say workout regularly, I do not mean go into the gym and give yourself a hernia trying to power clean 200 pounds. You don’t even have to lift weights to “exercise.” If you want to burn calories, all you have to do is go for a walk or run around campus, go play racquetball with some friends, or even workout on the bike machines while simultaneously reading for a class. All of these things are very easy and don’t even take up that much time, but most importantly, they are fun and things you can do with your friends. If you are going to be serious about working out, make it something you will enjoy, or else you will never stick with it.
4. Eat healthy even when you’re on the go.
If you are running late to class or need to go to Indy to run an errand, make healthy choices. Don’t choose the quick way out and dive into a heart attack between two buns before class, and don’t choose Taco Bell because it’s cheap. Force yourself to make the healthy, but not always so easy choice: get a whole grain muffin instead of sugar-coated cereal, and grab a veggie-packed Subway sandwich over a 10 piece McNugget. All of these things are easy to do and only require a little more thought and dedication on your part.
5. Cut out unnecessary things from your diet.
For most people, the problem doesn’t lie in adding fruits or veggies to their diet, but by cutting out things that already exist. Some students cannot possibly survive without a Grande mocha Frappe from Jazzman’s every morning or always choose greasy, salty French Fries as their side for lunch and dinner. Some even stick to three main food groups: sugar, soda, and salt. These have GOT to go if you want to avoid the freshman 15. Substitute those French fries for a small salad and drink water instead of the empty calories that lie within that cup of Sierra Mist. If you want to stay healthy in college, choices like these need to be made and unhealthy things need to be removed from your diet. Once they are removed and you start eating healthier, you won’t believe how good and refreshed you will feel.
This seems like a lot of work, I know. And it is if I am being completely honest. However, if you want to remain healthy during these next four years and for the rest of your life, change is necessary. Change is hard, but it starts right now, with your workout, with your diet, with you.
Good luck!
