Everyone has heard the phrase, "Freshman 15" before, but we have all wondered how exactly to avoid it. Though feeling like you are gaining weight is sometimes unavoidable over time, whether it be from bloating, stress, menstrual cycles, heavy meals, stress, and age, there are a few things that you can try to feel more confident.
1. Drink plenty of water.
Water not only can keep you feeling great throughout the day, but it can also make you feel more energized, prevent headaches, flush out toxins in your gut, etc.
2. Try to keep two meals a day as healthy as possible, even snacks.
Contrary to popular belief, exercising is not the hardest part of staying healthy and fit, it's maintaining a consistently healthy diet. Exchange that burger for a salad, eat some fruits or veggies as a snack, or try a yogurt parfait or oatmeal for breakfast. There is nothing wrong with giving in to your cravings but just do so in moderation. It is also really important to not skip meals or starve yourself, it can do more harm than good.
3. Moderate exercise is a must!
You don't have to work out every single day, for a certain amount of time, in fact you are more likely to strain yourself and overdo it if you don't workout regularly. Try walking or riding a bike to class or work instead, take a group fitness class, or maybe even join a club or intramural sport. But if you are into working out, or want to give it a try, take it slow and set up a schedule of a few times to go during the week. College is hard, especially when it comes to scheduling downtime, so don't sweat it if you can only workout once or twice a week -- it's better than not at all!
4. Watch your alcohol intake.
Many students are excited to party/love to party during the school year, and that's OK! But too much partying can lead to weight gain, acne and take away from your grades. Many drinks include a lot of sugar or carbs, so know your limits and the possible outcomes of partying this school year.
5. Try cutting out meat for a day or two each week.I gave being vegetarian a try for six months of my Junior year and loved it! I switched back to eating certain meats in moderation, for the sake of my personal protein intake, but I was able to find different vegetarian and even vegan foods that I now eat regularly! They are way healthier alternatives than one would think and can include so many important nutrients. It can even reduce your carbon footprint!
