Wow, one year of college is already done. Time flies, guys. By now the freshman 15 is a pretty infamous thing. But it doesn’t have to be a reality. I successfully made it through the year without gaining 15 pounds—here’s my tips.
1. Walk Everywhere
This is a big one! Even if you’re not able to go to the gym every day, walking is a big way to get exercise in! As tempting as it may be to just drive across campus or take the shuttle if your university has one (we don’t here), simply walking is a great way to keep yourself healthier. I bet I walked over an hour just walking to my classes and back every day, not to mention when I had to go to the dining hall or club activities. It adds up, guys.
2. Portion Yourself at Meals
Food is not the enemy, but it can be when you overeat. When you have unlimited food it’s super easy to overeat and you’ll regret it. If you just eat a normal amount, that goes a long way. My general rule of thumb was to limit myself to one plate full of food, which is what I consider to be a normal amount. And you don’t need to eat every dessert they have in sight, either. It’s ok to treat yourself, but just be smart and do it in moderation. Want pizza for dinner? Go ahead, but don’t eat 10 slices or that plus every other food in sight. Moderation. It goes a long way.
3. Don’t Snack Unnecessarily
I’m not a big snacker and that definitely helped me throughout my freshman year. If you’re not hungry, don’t eat. It’s easy to get swept up by what’s going on around you—if your friends are eating and you don’t want to—but just listen to your body.
4. Make Good Choices
This kind of reiterates everything else but just be smart! Sure spontaneity isn’t all bad, but ultimately you know yourself. Set boundaries for yourself and stick to them!
5. Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is essential! College students can definitely fall away from getting enough sleep, whether it’s staying up to do homework or staying up with friends. So from the beginning I made sure I prioritized sleep! Sleep actually helps your metabolism too, so apart from not being tired every day and only being awake due to coffee, you’re actually serving your digestive track too. Sleep is great, guys.
6. Don’t Eat Late at Night/Right Before Bed
Give your body enough time to use up the value of the food! If you don’t, your body will decide it doesn’t need it and dispose of it as fat.
7. Hydrate Yourself
Water is crucial. Make sure you’re drinking enough. Sometimes when you feel hungry you’re actually really thirsty! I’m still not the best water drinker, but I’ve gotten better (cute cups really help ok) and I still make sure to drink something whether it be LaCroix, Vitamin Water, or something else.
The freshman 15 is a scary thought for most incoming freshman to think about. But it doesn’t have to be inevitable if you make the right choices and watch your food and water intake and sleep enough.
