How to Avoid the Freshman 15: 4 Easy Tips

How to Avoid the Freshman 15: 4 Easy Tips

College freshman, especially young women, are constantly warned that they are in danger of gaining the infamous fifteen pounds their freshman year. This weigh gain, is usually the result of a combination of factors. Students are often relying on themselves to make meal choices for the first time in their lives. If they are tempted by junk food, or if they simply do not know how to pick healthy foods, weight gain can be inevitable. High levels of stress, lack of sleep (less sleep correlates with more eating), and lack of good food in the dining hall are also contributing factors. We hear from many students who want to know how to avoid the freshman 15. Sometimes, we also hear from students who want to know how to lose the freshman 15. Good news! There is a solution. Here are some tips that will help any student avoid the dreaded first year weight gain, and will help them lose if they've already added a few pounds.

1. Pack your Lunch

Unless your dining plan is inexpensive and you have good, healthy food options, plan to pack your lunch. It isn't that difficult. All you need to do is purchase an insulated lunch box, an ice pack, and a few plastic containers. If you want to pack hot food you also buy a thermos. These aren't just for soups. You can keep quesadillas, beans and rice, meat, pasta, and other items warm. Then, simply make salad or sandwich, throw in a hard boiled egg, carrot sticks, cheese stick and some fruit. That's fresh healthy food for lunch and at least one snack. Total cost probably less than 3 dollars.

2. Walk when Possible

If you can walk just ½ to 1 mile each day, you'll do your body a lot of good and keep the extra weight at bay. You don't need to do all of this walking at once. A few steps here and there add up to a lot.

3. Go out to Eat even if  You stay Home

Possibly the best way to avoid gaining weight your first year in college is to make eating a conscious decision and activity. To do this, you must put a stop to any absent minded eating. This means no on chips out of the bag on the sofa, and no walking through the kitchen and grabbing something out of the fridge on impulse. If you want to eat, that's fine, but go to the kitchen (or out to a restaurant) prepare/order something. Then, sit down and eat it without doing anything else. You'll taste the food and appreciate it more. You'll also fee full faster, and will avoid overeating.

4. Don't get Stressed out by Schoolwork

Academic stress can cause you to develop nervous eating habits. Get help before you gain weight. Your school library and student success center are two great places to find help. If you need help with a writing assignment, you can always count on an essay writing service like topessaywriting.net for great essay writing, proofreading, rewriting, and editing.