Before I left for college, I was warned by almost every adult in my life to “watch out, the freshman 15 is going to sneak up on you!” Some said it jokingly; Some said it as if it was one of the lurking dangers that are present on college campuses. I started my higher education very conscious of what I was putting into my body, mostly because of the attention that college weight gain receives. College life, however, is very different than high school life or home life. Most students at my university walk several miles in total each day just to go to classes. Students walk to buildings to print off papers or to study, and to various places for food or entertainment. I didn’t consider how active I was day to day, and as a result, I unintentionally lost weight rather than gaining it. I found this upsetting. College is supposed to be the time where you can eat what you want and disregard health, not the time for a total body transformation (although kudos to those who keep up with staying in shape and homework simultaneously).
Even after I stopped eating the healthier food options, the amount that I am walking or moving daily is more than enough to keep the balance. This isn’t to say that a pizza for every meal is a smart or sensible life choice, but three salads a day also doesn’t make the cut. My friends sometimes complain about the super skinny girls they see with a plate full of fried chicken, saying “that’s not fair!” In all fairness, though, you can eat what you want in college. The people you see with plates of food aren’t simply genetically blessed with a high metabolism, but rather are just supplying their bodies with the energy that it takes to be a college student. You are active daily, and food is necessary for energy to study. So don’t make the mistake of coming into college worried about weight gain.
Most likely, unless you radically change eating habits, you won’t even go up a clothing size. And, most importantly, this is the time for freedom, for eating a giant burrito at 2 a.m. and then getting ice cream right afterwards. The few pounds you might gain are a testament to the fun you have had, not something to try and avoid at all costs. The freshman 15 really is a common topic among new college goers or soon to be college students, but fret not, for although the myth has probably been true in some cases, most people aren’t affected. Studies specifically designed to see if the freshman 15 is a reality have been conducted, and the results also support my opinion. Scientifically, you are likely to gain a little weight, but only between one and three pounds, not as much as five times that as many believe.The freshman 15 isn’t a concept that should instill fear, but rather it’s a ticket saying: although you probably won’t gain much weight, you have the freedom to do so.
Gaining weight in college is definitely a possibility if you overdo every meal, but that doesn’t mean that you should go on a preemptive diet. Go into college looking for adventure, friendship, and with an open attitude. Go into college with an accepting mindset, not a restricting one. Go into college and live your life without hindrance. Don’t let a silly rumor get in the way of four of the best years of your life.
