by Suzanne Fort

Created on: October 07, 2008   Last Updated: October 14, 2008

The "freshman 15" doesn't have to be the reality for any college freshman, but sadly it is the case most of the time. Studies show that college students gain 3 to 10 pounds within the first two years of college. College students may not gain the full fifteen pounds the first year of college, but it does seem to happen within the first two for most students.

College students don't exercise like they did in high school. In high school, a person might've done a sport, but in college there are usually not the same opportunities to do a sport like you did in high school. You may not have the time you did in high school to do the sport because of scheduling issues.

A college student may be away from home the first time. They might eat a lot of fast foods that their family didn't serve them when they were at home.

The stress of college doesn't help with the weight gain either. A student is worried about grades, what they'll major in, etc. The college student may also get depressed because they feel alone or homesick. These things lead to cravings for not-so-healthy foods.

The best way to beat the "freshman 15" is to eat right. Stock the refrigerator with healthy snacks and meals. Plan your meals out before you go grocery shopping. If you live in a dorm, check the nutritional content of the items they're serving in the cafeteria. Remember, just because you're rushed, doesn't mean you need to run through the drive-thru at McDonald's and order a Big Mac.

Get exercise. You don't have to join an actual sport to lose weight. You can go walking, biking, swimming, or a variety of other forms of exercise to keep your high school figure.

Get plenty of sleep. Don't do any late night study sessions where you might be tempted to cram down a pizza while studying. Usually late night eating is not very healthy.

Take care of your emotional health. If you're feeling homesick, figure out a way to talk on the phone or internet to avoid that feeling. If you're feeling depressed, figure out how you can cure that. If you need to, seek the help of a mental health professional. Most colleges have some available at the college.

The freshman fifteen can be avoided if you just think about what you're eating and take care of your body and mind. No one wants to come home for the holidays and have no one recognize you.

The "freshman 15" ended up being the "freshman 30" for me. I went to a college that was about 12 hours away from my home town. I was stuck in a townhouse with five seniors at a neighboring college. They took up the space in the refrigerator. I didn't even have room for milk. I was completely intimidated and scared to ask for more room in the fridge. I went from running Cross Country and Track to doing absolutely no exercise. I couldn't sleep. I was in a room with a complete stranger who snored. I was depressed. I had tons of friends in high school and in college it just wasn't happening. I was homesick. I was used to having my mom make home cooked meals every single night. They were nutritious. When I came home for Christmas some people didn't recognize me and my parents actually asked if I was pregnant. I couldn't believe it. It was a nightmare, but doesn't have to be a reality for everyone.

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