The Freshman 15 is real. However, very few people actually gain fifteen pounds their first year of college. In fact, studies show that students on average only gain about five to ten pounds their first year and that 20% of first year students actually lose weight. So, if you’re trying to maintain your weight and look good when you go home this Thanksgiving break, there is hope.
1. Drink water! Drinking water is an essential part of daily life but 75% of people in the U.S. suffer from chronic dehydration. When your body doesn’t have enough water, it can’t digest food properly. The recommended amount is half your weight in ounces. For example, if you weighed 140 pounds, you’d want to drink 70 ounces of water daily.
2. Watch out for the little things! Many people think that the main reason why students gain weight their first year of college is because they are eating much more than they were at home. In reality, first year students are only eating 174 more calories daily than they were at home. Keeping in mind that drinks like Pepsi or beer are150 calories per serving, take a second to really think about what you’re putting into your body.
3. Fruits and veggies are your friends! Grab a bowl of fresh fruit and veggies in the dining commons at every meal or stock your fridge up with healthy snacks. Start each meal with a bowl of veggies to fill yourself up so that you‘re not as tempted to eat five slices of pizza.
4. Get active! Hit up the Rec Cen and take one of the many amazing fitness classes offered there. Join intramural sports or get involved with a dance club on campus. If you have a difficult schedule to work with, you can always take a run around the lagoon in your free time. If all else fails, just take the stairs. Every little bit counts.
5. Sleep and destress! Both stress and lack of sleep cause an increase of cortisol levels in your body. High levels of cortisol slow down your metabolism and cause your body to store fat. Take naps when you need to and visit CAPS if you ever feel overwhelmed with stress.