Wednesday, July 29, 2009

The Freshman 15

Whether you're about to enter college this fall or are already in school, you've probably heard of the "Freshman 15." The first time I heard about it, I thought to myself "NEVER going to happen!" Boy was I wrong...In high school, I was pretty thin, 106 pounds, 5'5", and size zero, and the only exercise I ever did in my life was gym class...if that counts. I weighed almost 120 lbs. by the end of my freshman year. And by summer, I gained an additional 5 pounds, going up to a size 5.

During the gradual weight gain, I did see changes in my body, and I did ask myself "why? why did this have to happen to me?" I always thought I was the victim and that college made me fat. It wasn't until the summer after my freshmen year that I realized "I LET THIS HAPPEN TO MYSELF!"

I lived in the dorms my freshman year ate my meals in a buffet style cafeteria. I was exposed to foods that my body wasn't used to and lots of dessert! Of course, with unlimited food, late night studying, and bad choices on my part, the weight gain was...inevitable. Looking back, I realize there are a lot of things that I could have done differently, but right now I can only move forward.

This past year I've learned a lot about exercising, and eating healthy. I'm by no means an expert, and I am still learning right now. I started this blog because I want to help other people learn how they can make choices in order to lead a healthier and happier lifestyle. Especially college students out there!

Tips to Avoid the "Freshman 15"


1. Eat when you're hungry...(easier said than done!!)
Sometimes when we see food or smell something we like, our minds take over and says "eat this now!" even though we're not really hungry. I know a lot of times I have found myself eating food just because it looked delicious or smelled good, or because I was bored or stressed out, but not because my body really needed it. Before taking another bite of that pizza late at night, or diving into seconds, ask yourself "Am I hungry?" And if the answer is "no" then you know what to do...

2. Avoid overfilling your plate... especially if you eat in a buffet style cafeteria. With so much food everywhere and so many options, its easy to go overboard and fill your tray with tons of food! The more you put on that plate, the more you'll probably end up eating.

3. Fruits, Veggies, and H20.
If you don't eat that many fruits and veggies, now is a great time to introduce them into your diet. Fruits make great snacks. I always carry an apple or banana around to eat between classes. For dinner and lunch, I try to include veggies. They include plenty of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Fruits and veggies are lo-cal and good for you! Also, remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day!

4. Exercise..yes you can!
I know its hard to make yourself exercise while you're a student. You might think that you have to study, hang out with friends, or party and you don't have time for exercise. But trust me, you can fit it in! Go running outside, join the gym, play intramural sports with friends, or take a fitness class! When I was living on campus, I bought a school gym membership, and one semester I even took a jogging class for fun even though I had an 18.5 credit schedule. I found that with my jogging class, it actually made me less stressed out and it kept me in shape.

So my question to you is: Did you gain the freshman 15 during college or were you able to maintain your weight? Or are you an incoming freshman student who is worried about it?!


-Christine

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