Avoid the Freshmen 15!!!

By: Natalie Guevara

       Besides exams and difficult professors, every college-bound student dreads the infamous freshmen fifteen.

       Coined several years ago, the term alludes to the fifteen pounds packed on during the first year of college. But is this merely a case of fact or fiction? Well, according to Tuft University's resident nutrition expert, Jeanne Goldberg, the idea of the freshmen fifteen is "a catchphrase, [a] nice alliteration. But it's not true."

       Goldberg argues that weight gain is just a natural reaction to new surroundings. She also points out that by the time graduation rolls around, students are usually back to their normal weight. That gives you three years to lose those fifteen pounds.

       So if the pounds are just university urban legends…then maybe cravings, well-placed food joints, and late-night study sessions have something to do with it? But let's not waste time debating whether the freshmen fifteen could be fact or fiction. Read on to meet five of a college freshman's worst nightmares and get tips on how to avoid them.

       1. The Meal Card - Also known as the ticket to the 'All You Can Eat' land of university cafeterias, the meal card is        just 'pure evil.' Students often make the mistake of eating when they're not hungry because of the easily accessible food.        Swipe the card at the register, poof! French fries, poof! Double fudge brownie ice cream, poof! And just because you        have a meal card and the food is practically unlimited, it doesn't mean you need to eat loads of it in one sitting. After all,        we're not squirrels saving up for winter. By all means, use your meal card wisely: Go to the stations serving healthy        dishes like fruit, salads, veggie burgers, grilled chicken strips, and whole grains. McDonalds is always going to be there,        but your young adult figure isn't.

       2. The Vending Machine - Stay away from the vending machine. Nothing screams unhealthy junk like the vending
       machine. And if you do happen to stumble upon one, then don't make the excuse that you're just going to purchase        some trail-mix, because you so know you're getting that Snickers bar. To avoid this, make sure to carry healthy,
       hunger-curbing snacks filled with fiber and protein like nuts, apples, and granola bars.

       3. The Six-Pack - No, not the abdominal muscles. We're talking about the beer. Alcohol is loaded with empty calories
       (150 calories for 12 ounces of beer), and too much of it will not only lead to intoxication, but weight gain as well.        Although most undergrads are not even old enough to drink beer, it's still a big social commodity at college. So, what do        you do? Drink water? Uh, bartender a glass of H20? Hell, no! If you can't bear your friends' weird looks when you        don't take up a beer, then consider a small serving - that's one drink a day for women and two for men. And you're        going to have to sip slowly to make it last.

       4. The Workload - Let's face it, if you are a college student then you're bound to come face-to-face with huge piles of
       homework, exams, presentations, projects and papers. You know the drill: Don't procrastinate! Research has proven        that students who frequently procrastinate are at risk of packing on the pounds. In fact, fast food joints located around        college campuses make big bucks off of late-night study sessions because they know that students will need food in        order to stay up late. At the University of Florida in Gainesville, Pizza Hut is open until 4 a.m.! Stress can lead to binging        and overeating, and therefore it is essential that you prioritize and do as much as you can, including cracking open those        books and handing in those assignments early. A good night's rest is necessary and revitalizing. Plus, it's just not fun        staying up at four in the morning with a headache and a heavy stomach.

       5. The Couch - Ah, the comfy couch… Time to get off your butt and do something productive! Take advantage of the        athletic facilities offered at your college and exercise regularly. In fact, some colleges charge you an athletic fee included        in your tuition to cover gym costs. So, you might as well hit the gym if you're paying for it. If you're not a gym fan or a        sports person, then at the very least walk around campus. Get some fresh air, meet some new people, and find your        next date for Saturday night!

       Now you can stop staring at the scale in disbelief with these simple ways to combat your college nemesis, (haggard calculus professors not included). As you can see, the freshman fifteen can be avoided with just a little bit of consciousness, motivation, and willpower. Eat balanced meals, sleep well, tackle those term papers right away, and you're good to go. But more than anything, stay active. College is an experience of a lifetime - who wants to spend time obsessing over weight?