As I’m sure almost every girl out there will agree, going into freshman year of college with the fear of the Freshman 15 is very real. We’ve all seen the pictures on social media of people who had visibly gained weight since high school. Well, I’ve been here a month, and I’ve managed to keep those dreaded 15 pounds away (so far). Some weight gain is bound to happen; we’re in new environments, on different schedules, living different lives. For most meals, we are limited to caf food and whatever food we may have in our rooms. And for the first time in our lives, we are on our own so if we want to order a pizza at midnight on a school night who’s going to stop us? Or if you’re friend convinces you to go to Ben & Jerry’s who could refuse? Plus having an all-you-can-eat caf (even if it’s not always that good) can be dangerous, especially with soft-serve ice cream available at every meal. But there are things that can be done that are easy adjustments to make:
1. Keep healthy snacks in your room.
If you’re like me, you can eat an entire bag of potato chips or can of Pringles in one sitting (easily), so there’s one simple solution: don’t buy it!!! Yeah, easier said than done, I know, but a little bit of willpower can go a long way. Instead, get some healthier options like whole grain Cheerios, Greek yogurt, nuts, or one of my favorites—SmartPop. This way you won’t be tempted by unhealthy munchies calling your name as you lay in your bed watching Netflix (this happens often for me).
2. Get fruit/veggies/salads at every meal.
Every meal that I go to the caf, here’s what I do—I always make sure I get a salad (spinach, not iceberg = more nutrients!), and I always grab an apple or banana to take back to my dorm with me for a healthy snack later. This way you kill two birds with one stone—you get a healthy snack, and you don’t have to waste money on fruit that will go bad because you can’t eat it fast enough.
3. Work out!!
Even if it isn’t every day, getting some sort of workout in, even every other day, can really help you maintain a healthy weight and healthy lifestyle! This doesn’t mean you have to go for a 10-mile run, either. Run a few miles, do some stairs, or take advantage of the many free fitness classes offered like yoga, Zumba, etc.
4. Don't stress about it.
A few pounds here and there are nothing to worry about, and nothing that should consume your life. It really isn’t the end of the world. We don’t all have to be supermodels or sticks. Everyone is built differently so accept who you are and be comfortable with it! As long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle, that’s all that really matters anyways.
