If you're reading this, then you are worried like any other college freshman. Telling you in advance: it is extremely hard to avoid the freshman 15 (well, for me it was anyway). There are a lot of factors that contribute to the freshman 15; it's just not about the unhealthy eating. Some factors that contribute would be: your class schedule, how healthy you eat at school, and it depends on your motivation to exercise.
Let's talk about the first factor: your class schedule. I know from personal experience that I would eat at the same time every day depending on my class schedule. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I would eat lunch at noon and dinner around 4:30. After practice on those days, I would grab a quick snack, which isn't good because it was late at night. I watched one of my very good friends struggle to find time to eat. Her class schedule was so packed that some days she couldn't eat lunch. Her schedule consisted of classes from 9 to 5. This wasn't good either because she would be tired throughout the day and feel run down. While on the other hand, I knew people who would get up super early to eat breakfast, get lunch and dinner. While my friend and I were lucky enough to squeeze in two meals. I think your class schedule has a lot to do with the freshman 15. The key to making this not so bad is to try not to eat after 8 pm, your metabolism starts to slow down!
Secondly, what you eat is very important! There was a whole week that I ate ramen noodles. Can you say high blood pressure?? Just kidding, but ramen is so bad for you, it's just very convenient to college students. Also, I know my mom would send a lot of snacks! One time she sent probably around two gallon-sized bags of chocolate chip cookies. Those cookies were gone in a few short days. The key to possibly eating better would be to try healthier snack options or maybe have a salad with every meal. Also, if your attending AB, I need a running partner so don't be afraid to hit your girl up:)
Lastly, motivation to exercise during the school year is very important. In the beginning of the season, I was in the best shape I have ever been in my entire life. I even lost weight, but after Thanksgiving break and Christmas break I gained some weight. When the acrobatics and tumbling team came back from break people made yaks about how the team looked fat or big. After being back from break and being in the swing of things, I started to lose weight again. Even college athletes gain the freshman 15, mine was more of a freshman 25 though. The key to keeping motivated is to get friends involved or to stalk cute boys in the weight room.
The freshman 15 isn't a bad thing. This happens to college students everywhere, the only difference is how you choose to handle it. Please don't think starving yourself will keep the weight off, because it doesn't. Don't let the freshman 15 get you down, beat down the 15.
