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Easy Ways to Avoid the Freshman 15!
September 21st, 2008Students going off to college often gain weight their first year away from home. This weight gain is commonly referred to as the “freshman 15.” Freedom is a new experience for many of these students. Cafeteria buffets, late night snacking, lack of exercise, and emotional eating, all combine to create the perfect atmosphere for weight gain.
Understanding this pattern and knowing how to avoid it can help college freshmen maintain their desired level of fitness. There are easy steps that can be followed to encourage freshmen to make the right choices. Let’s review a few of these steps now.
The first important step to avoiding college weight gain is to never skip breakfast! Breakfast wakes up your metabolism and gets it ready to function for the day. If walking to the cafeteria each morning for a nutritious breakfast isn’t realistic, then keep healthy breakfast options in your room for a quick grab and go.
The next step in avoiding the “freshman 15″ is to make healthy food choices 90% of the time. College cafeterias are offering more variety and healthier options but a buffet is still a buffet! While it’s okay to occasionally select macaroni and cheese or dessert, these indulgences need to be rare. Limit yourself to one “free” meal a week!
Be just as diligent with your beverage consumption as you are with your food. Soft drinks and other sweet drinks slow weight loss and provide no nutritional value to your diet. Water should be your main beverage. Not only does it help keep you full, but it boosts your metabolism as well. Drink skim milk with your meals. Diets rich in calcium burn more fat!
One great tip to avoid extra weight is to limit late night snacking. Stop eating several hours prior to going to bed. This will help keep your excess calories from being stored as fat. Try to avoid snacking but have healthy options available. Sugarless gum is often a good substitute.
The most important and final tip we’ll discuss here for avoiding the “freshman 15″ is to exercise regularly. It’s easy in college to put this at the bottom of your “to do” list, but instead, find a workout buddy in your dorm and make it a priority! Use the college facilities and have an endless variety of exercise options, such as swimming, tennis, weight lifting, and running.
Be aware of this common occurrence and take these important steps to avoid it. Don’t let yourself fall into the trap of making unhealthy decisions. You certainly don’t want your “freshman 15″ to turn into permanent baggage! The power is with you…it’s all about choice.
