Conquer the battle of the dreaded Freshman-15

The fight against Freshman-15 is on!

Some students find the transition from home to campus a bit difficult to handle. With the lack of parental control, high levels of stress, a low activity level and alcohol all seem to take its toll in the form of extra pounds around the waistline.

Freshman students are not the only ones experiencing the adverse affects of improper diet, lack of exercise and stress. Upper classman suffer as well.

It’s such a challenging time in a student’s life. For most students, this is their first time away from home without the influence of mom and dad’s rules and routines.

The decisions they make from this moment forward have a direct affect on their health and well being.

Let’s face it; students are pretty much on their own in their new lifestyle. It’s more or less a grab it and go scenario. Juggling all these new conditions is akin to a balancing act!

Simply put, it’s a matter of keeping the caloric intake consistent and keeping the activity level up.

By merely consuming an extra 210 calories a day, a student can expect to gain 15 pounds the first year. Ouch!!!!

Recognizing these changes is the FIRST step. Following some simple suggestions to keep fit and healthy is the SECOND step.

Here are some simple tips to help combat the Freshman-15: Take a look at what an expert has to say on the subject of Freshman-15

• Do not skip breakfast (it’s a much-needed metabolism boost! Try to stick with whole grains like oatmeal to begin your day)
• Upon entering the dining hall it’s best to start with a soup and salad first, then work your way up from there (portion your food by dividing into protein, fruits & veggies and carbohydrates)
• Replace the standard munchies with healthy snacks such as (pretzels, low-fat popcorn, fruit and nuts)
• Take advantage of the unlimited exercise classes on campus (make use of the gym facilities)
• Try to walk everywhere (to classes and around campus)
• Visit the health and wellness center on campus and request a session with a registered dietitian (these valuable services can help to shape your new lifestyle and keep you on track)
• Exercise healthy eating habits by reading the ingredients on everything you eat
• Nix the elevators (use the stairs)
• Take time to eat (don’t skip meals and balance your schedule accordingly)
• Be aware of what you’re consuming during study breaks and exam time
Go to Counting Calories

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