So many of us have been faced with the frightful "freshman fifteen" first-hand. Yes, we spend our childhood and teen years as stick thin, carefree youngsters with absolutely no idea of the definition of a calorie, and no desire to learn the secrets of celebrity weight loss. Then, we hit puberty, and only a couple of years later, are thrown head first into the hormone-saturated, discipline-free, beer-flowing environment known as "College."
The term "freshman fifteen" was coined to refer to the typical fifteen pounds (and in many cases more) that young college freshmen put on during their first year of college. So, how exactly are you supposed to avoid the freshman fifteen or similar college weight gain? The key to surviving this fat filled phenomenon is to understand where the weight gain comes from and recognize ways to avoid it.
Inactivity.
Although you may not think so, college freshmen are generally more inactive than they were in high school. Throughout junior high and high school, students are often encouraged to participate in team sports. In most private schools, and many public schools, a physical education course or gym class is also required. But, when students get to college, there are often no requirements in terms of physical activity. Furthermore, the "team sports" that they are used to playing are typically reserved for more advanced players that have been recruited to play on the school's team. For those students who don't particularly excel at a sport, but still want to join a team, or just didn't make the uber competitive cut at the university-level, there are some other alternatives! Check out your school's website to learn more about any intramural sports that they may offer. In many cases, students will come together and form teams that play against each other within the school. Intramurals are a great way to meet new people, join a team, and find some new friends during your first year of college, AND they'll also help you stay fit. If you aren't into intramurals, you can usually take dance classes, or some other physically-oriented classes (such as martial arts) for college-level credits as an elective. Talk to your advisor and he or she will more likely than not be more than happy to give you more information concerning these courses. Finally, if you'd rather focus on your academics, and be more flexible when it comes to your work-out schedule, consider joining a local gym, or visit the student center's gym, where as a student, you'll will likely be able to use the university's facilities.
Schedule.
Another huge reason why freshmen gain weight is because of their schedules. Many times, ambitious students will attempt to take on loads of classes in order to ensure that they've gotten a good start on their academic careers. The combination of stress from loading their schedules, and their unpredictable hours/study schedules can often leave students sleeping up studying (or partying) into the wee hours of the morning and simply not getting enough sleep. Although it may be a bit idealistic to think that you will get the recommended eight-hours of sleep a night ever night, try to do your best to maintain a regular, balanced schedule that allows you to get an appropriate amount of sleep. Getting a good amount of rest will not only keep your mind sharp, it will also prevent you from late-night snacking, and keep your figure slim and trim.
Food.
For many students, freshman year is the first time in their lives that they are away from home (and their parents) for an extended period of time. Many students have never cooked for themselves or are simply unprepared to do so. In order to eat, they often spend money eating out with friends, picking up cheap fast food, ordering inexpensive pizza "deals", or eating at their school's facilities, where they often over-indulge or select unhealthy options. In order to avoid gaining the freshman fifteen, your best bet is to make sure that you choose healthy meals. If you can, eat some meals in your dorm room or at your off campus apartment. Bagels and other breakfast items can often be low-calorie and quite healthy. As tempting as it may be, don't skip breakfast. This can leave you hungrier later in the day, and resulting in your binging on fast food and other unhealthy options. The bottom line is that no matter what you're eating, you should be sure that you are eating as healthily as possible. While fast food and pizza may be ok for some nights or the weekends, don't let yourself fall into the habit of eating poorly every single night, or else the freshman fifteen might even turn into the freshman fifty!
Beer.
Finally, one of the most important reasons why many college students pack on the pounds during their freshman year is simply because of too much partying. College parties are well known for featuring kegs filled with high calorie, high-carb beer and lots of liquor. If you do choose to drink, keep your drinks to a minimum. Alcoholic beverages are loaded with empty calories. In other words, you won't gain any nutrition, but you'll certain gain lots of weight! If you do choose to drink, opt for a lower calorie beverage, such as a light beer or vodka tonic.
In conclusion, although it may be tempting to give in to all of the indulgences of college life, making the right (and healthy) decisions during your freshman year can help you pave the way for a much healthier, happier, and slimmer college career and ultimately help you maintain a healthier lifestyle upon graduation.