I've never spent much time on a treadmill or counting calories, but a few months into my freshman year, I was downloading dieting apps, kicking myself for missing a workout and buying larger jeans at the mall.
It had hit me — the Freshman 15 (or 14, in my case).
The top definition from Urban Dictionary describes the Freshman 15 as being "When a first year college student (usually a female) eats a ton, and precedes to sit on her ass and gain 15 lbs."
I'm here to tell you that gaining your freshman year pounds will result from anything but sitting on your ass.
Eating is a kind of unifier for college students. You'll grab pizza with new friends as you chat all night; upperclassmen will hand you free snacks at organization meetings, and your bestie will tell you to go for one more cookie at the dining hall buffet because you just aced an exam and you deserve it.
Extra calories will also come from parties. Pregaming with Fireball, chicken nuggets, Nelly Furtado and my girlfriends was the best way to spend my weekends.
But college isn't all fun and games. You'll have to juggle going to class, studying, meeting with organizations and much more. With your schedule so full, you won't be sleeping or eating normally. Some days you'll only fit in one meal while others you'll eat four times before noon.
Staying sane with all this stress is important. If that means going to the gym on a regular basis, then that's great. If it means grabbing a Snickers, that's cool too.
After my initial freak out over my weight gain, I realized I did not need to put any extra stress on myself. I gained 14 pounds my freshman year while having the time of my life. Since then, I've adjusted to the demands of college, and I've shed several pounds without obsessing over my looks.
There can be a lot of pressure, especially for young adults, to keep slim, and the stigma surrounding the Freshman 15 furthers that burden. Yes, gaining weight might mean your lifestyle has taken an unhealthy turn, but that shouldn't be a main worry during your first year of college.
Focus on staying mentally stable and taking advantage of every opportunity you can.
