A personal goal I set before coming to Wake was to avoid the dreaded “freshman 15.” This scary phenomenon has haunted me ever since I learned what it was and questions filled my head about how to dodge this terrifying outcome. Though I’ve only been a college student for about a month, I have already come to the realization that the “freshman 15” is not necessarily true. While slight weight gain is common among college freshman, most don’t gain a whopping fifteen pounds.
Of course, a small increase in weight gain is to be expected. For the first time we are not eating home cooked meals, we are forced to self-regulate what we consume, we are introduced to the “all-you-can-eat” dining halls, and on top of this, we are adjusting to everyday college stresses. That is why I have put together an action plan on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle in a new environment.
1. Keep healthy snacks in your dorm room
It’s human nature. Sometimes you get hungry at night, eat out of boredom, or even stress eat. The best thing you can do for yourself when these feelings arise is to keep healthy foods in your dorm. Stock up on fruits, carrots, hummus, or nuts to munch on while studying late at night.
2. Find a gym buddy
Exercising is a great way to release stress and increase endorphins. Find a friend to go to the gym with and hold each other accountable and even if you’re not crazy about the gym, just go for a walk around campus to clear your head. But, if you’re interested in group fitness classes, Wake Forest offers free classes which you can peruse at your leisure here: https://campusrec.wfu.edu/group-fitness-schedule/.
3. Keep track of your meals and set attainable goals
Even if you don’t count calories, writing down what you eat can be beneficial to some. It’s important to focus less on caloric value, and more on vitamin and mineral content of the foods you’re eating. This can help you realize that you may need to eat more servings of fruits and vegetables. There are a variety of apps available to help you create nutrition goals and educate you on what consists of a healthy number of nutrients.
4. Don’t obsess: Everything is okay in moderation
Above all else, do not stress about gaining weight. I have already found that there are so many other things to worry about while adjusting to life in college and weight gain should not be on the top of your list. It’s important to remember that everything is okay in moderation. Try a variety of foods on campus— Zick’s and Chick-fil-A are fine every once in a while, as long as you don’t consume them multiple times a day. It’s important to take care of your mental health as well as your physical health, so find ways to treat yourself!
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