The “freshman fifteen” is a phrase that describes the slight weight gain that college students commonly experience during their freshman year. This is often due to a change of eating habits, such as dining hall food or takeout, stress eating, or an increase in drinking. Although all these factors are true and it can lead to weight gain, what’s the big deal?
There is no big deal. Going to college is one of the biggest life changes a young adult can go through. Some might be stressed living in a dorm or apartment away from their parents, others order Uber Eats because they don’t have time to cook when they are trying to balance all the aspects of college life. Overall, their diets change. This is all a part of life and worrying about the freshman fifteen should not be another stressor to add to all the challenges college students face.
As an international student, I had to adapt to American culture my first year. Furthermore, I wasn’t the best cook so my diet consisted of dining hall meals and cookies (why are the cookies so good??) and ordering Taco Bell with my friends on Uber Eats twice a week. I also wanted to try new types of food that weren’t available back home, so boba and Chick-fil-A nuggets were constant parts of my diet.
This led to me gaining around 10 pounds the first semester of freshman year. I didn’t really see a difference in my body or think anything negative of it. However, when I went back home after the first semester for Christmas break, people mentioned it and said I should try to eat better and exercise more to lose the extra weight. It started becoming something people mentioned in passing conversation to me: “You’re clearly enjoying the food there” or “Your clothes don’t fit you as well now.” This made me much more aware of my weight gain and I started feeling very self-conscious of how I looked. I started wearing baggy clothes and not wanting to go out.
However, as second semester started I realized, why should others care so much about my weight, and why should I? I’m going through a very big change in life as I’m beginning my adulthood and why would I want to be the same weight I was in high school? Our bodies are designed to constantly change to handle whatever life throws our way and I shouldn’t try to stop it whenever I gain a few extra pounds. If putting your mental health first means getting that iced matcha latte before your classes, eating a slice of chocolate cake to cheer you up when you fail an exam, or even buying Chick-fil-A when you don’t have the energy to cook a healthy home-cooked meal, then do it. You shouldn’t let anyone make you feel negatively about your body and once you’re happy with yourself, that should be all that matters!