We’ve all heard about it, and some of us have even experienced it. It’s the dreaded “freshman 15.” The much-talked-about weight gain that happens when even the most active, healthiest students begin college sounds like one of those campfire urban legends. Unfortunately, for most of us this legend can come true.
Since most students don’t have the option of not starting college, and since weight gain isn’t an excuse your parents will except when they’ve already forked over tuition, what can possibly be done? The answer is simple.
Despite the universal college student need to eat pizza every night of the week, junk food consumption must be stopped or at least controlled. It seems so easy not to eat junk until midnight when you’ve yet to start studying for your exam and there are only two half-eaten bags of chips of your shelf.
The next step to controlling that weight gain is to incorporate some form of exercise into your daily routine. Most college students increase food intake but decrease exercise. An increase in calories will always cause weight gain without exercise. Yes, it helps to walk to and from class, but that isn’t enough. Your fees pay for the Center for Physical Activity … use it. It’s a great place to meet people and a great way to stay in shape.
Whatever you do, don’t skip meals. Skipping meals causes overeating, and it also causes your metabolism to slow down. It can be hard to eat when classes begin at 8:15 a.m., and continue until 2 p.m., but in the long run you’ll be glad you took the time.
If you do have classes all day with no time to stop, consider stocking your backpack with some healthy snack foods that aren’t packed with carbohydrates. If you aren’t exercising regularly, carbs will be stored as fat instead of used as energy. Fruit is always a good option as well as beef jerky and peanut butter.
Try to cut back on alcohol consumuption. As many students already know, it causes the munchies. It’s also packed with carbohydrates and can damage your liver. If you just can’t say no to those keg parties, opt for light beer and not hard liquor.
It isn’t hard to stay healthy and not gain that “freshman 15.” Set your goals and stick with them and don’t forget to reward yourself for meeting your goals.
Be careful not to label certain foods as “off limit” because you’ll crave those more and give in. If everything else fails and you just have to eat something, opt for what you know will satisfy you and last. Your body will thank you.

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