How to Avoid the Freshman Fifteen
Published: August 30, 2018
Author: Sidney Webster
What is the freshman fifteen? It is a preconceived notion that you will gain a few pounds in your first year of college. So listen up freshman! You may think the freshman fifteen is a myth, and for some, it might be. But if you're anything like me, it's hard to say no to a midnight McDonald's run with all your friends. Even as a student-athlete, I gained weight during my first year of college. I would go to the dining commons everyday thinking, "Well my meal is already paid for, so I might as well get my money's worth!"...and then continue to refill on fries and ice cream. It wasn't until I hopped on the scale that I realized I needed to slow down and think about my diet. As an athlete, it's easy to use practice as an excuse to load up on calories.
The reality is that all humans, athlete or not, need a balance between diet and exercise to be and stay healthy. Here is my advice to avoid the freshman fifteen:
Choose the healthy options in the DC and union. Thanks to Fresh Ideas, you have plenty of nutritious and filling items to choose from. One tip to selecting healthy dishes is to fill your plate with a vast array of colors. Even if you do not like fruits and veggies, spoon just a small portion. A little something is better than nothing!
Limit your desserts. Having a brownie once a week is perfectly fine. It only becomes a problem when you have a brownie for lunch and a cookie after dinner every single day. If you limit yourself to just one or two desserts per week, you still get the satisfying taste, just not as often as you might like it. If it helps, pick a day out of the week to be your dessert day. If you hate Mondays, tell yourself, so you have something to look forward to on Mondays!
Don't spend a fortune on snacks for your room. It is tempting to go to IGA or Walmart and stock up on goodies for your dorm. However, if you are on the meal plan, you do not need all that food. Buy a few of your favorite food and snacks, but do not fill up your fridge. You will get your fill by eating at the DC and union, plus if you do not eat that food, it is just wasteful.
Exercise!! The annex is free for you! Take advantage of it. They are open 24 hours a day and have many fitness options. There are biking machines, weights, a cardio room, a sauna, and even a pool.Find a way to burn calories doing something you enjoy. Personally, I like doing hot yoga in the sauna. It relaxes my muscles and mind, plus I burn calories while stretching out. The annex is located on Elm Street by the athletic fields. If you are unable to get to the annex, Burritt gym is another location for students to get their workout in. It is located above HJ Long gym.
Get enough sleep. This is a hard one. It sounds childish, but give yourself a bedtime and stick to it. I am no doctor, but I can say that when you get the right amount of sleep, you will just automatically feel better physically.
I hope that these tips help you avoid the freshman fifteen. For more great health tips, visit this website. Happy, healthy living!
