In spite of what you may think, the dreaded ‘freshman fifteen’ phenomenon does not solely target female first-year college students. This weight gain is due to the fact that most young women switch to an adult metabolism around the time they start college. Though according to Dr. Connie Diekman, young women are able to balance exercise with diet by their senior year, cycling back to the weight they once were when they entered college. Very reassuring to say the least for us college women am I right?
The ‘freshman fifteen’ is not a definitive number, but rather an average that fluctuates when taking women’s exercise regiments and eating habits into consideration. Busy schedules, having the freedom to eat and drink whatever whenever, and stress all add to the challenge of learning how to incorporate healthy eating and exercise into our very demanding daily lives as collegiate women.
The University of Arizona’s Recreation Center is an awesome resource for students to get their daily dose of exercise. Whether you’re looking to swim laps in the outdoor pool, challenge a friend to a game of racket ball, or get some cardio in between classes, the U of A’s Recreation Center has it all. One of the many services the Rec has to offer is the Fitness and Wellness classes. These include anything from Body N Barre to Butts N Guts to Zumba. The group fitness schedule for these classes are extremely flexible times, Monday through Saturday from 6:30 am to 8:30 for 45 minutes each class. The Group fitness pass price is only $59 for students and lasts from fall of 2015 to December 9th.
Knowing the challenge myself of how difficult it can be to balance having a social life and successful academic performance with getting in shape and staying in shape, I have compiled some doable ways to manage a healthy life style.
1. Don’t forget breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day and studies have shown weight gain is more common among those who skip breakfast.
2. Realize the reality of alcohol. Each beer can average about 150 calories not to mention late night drink munchies binges to end an already unhealthy night.
3. Don’t eat less to drink more. This will lead to actually consuming as many or more calories than you would have if you had eaten throughout the day.
4. Don’t follow the fad diets. Just because they are healthy or reasonable doesn’t mean you’ll keep off the weight in the long run.
5. Boost your metabolism. Replace some of your carbs with lean meats, fish, nuts or other forms of protein. Aerobic exercise can also boost your metabolism for hours after a workout.
6. Drink water. Water does not directly correlate with weight-loss, but it does keep your body running properly in order to process calories.
7. Get your beauty rest. A disrupted sleep pattern can lead you into a vicious cycle of weigh gain.
8. Manage your stress. Stress has been proven to have an extremely negative effect on your health mentally and physically.
9. The ‘20 minute rule’. It takes about 20 minutes for your brain and stomach to realize that you are full.
10. Use your school’s resources. Get your money’s worth by going to the gym AT LEAST once every week.
11. Drink your coffee black. This adds a short-term boost to your metabolism and helps prevent weight gain.
12. Don’t drink calories. This goes for both alcohol and soda!!