Whether you believe in the “Freshman 15” or not, there are ways to avoid gaining the pounds that supposedly come with being new on campus.
Preventing weight gain during freshman year is all about making healthy choices. Instead of taking the shuttle, try walking to class. Choose smaller portions of food over piles of pizza.
The Center for Student Wellness also recommends getting two and half hours of moderate activity per week (or one and a half hours of vigorous activity). A moderate activity can be just walking uphill to class, and a vigorous one can be going for a jog.
Daily exercise can help with dealing with stress and sleep problems. And it can be done in smaller increments, fitting in between classes or work.
The Student Life Center offers fitness classes, such as cycling, zumba, yoga and aqua aerobics. They also have personal trainers who will work with a student for $30 per session.
For those who would prefer being outside, the Outdoor Adventures program offers outdoor trips for rock climbing, river rafting, skiing and camping.
Megan Shaw, a sophomore in health promotion and education, said during her freshman year she exercised five times per week. Some of her favorite activities were using the treadmill and lifting weights.
For food on campus, Shaw recommends smoothies at both Jamba Juice and Freshens, as well as salads from Chop’d. For more nutritional information, the Student Life Center will offer free fall workshops; the next one is “Sup with Supplements?” on Oct. 22.
Freshmen at the Peterson Heritage Center can make healthier choices by eating from the salad and sandwich bar. According to MyPlate, a federal nutrition program, students should fill half of their plate with fruits and vegetables, as well as avoiding oversized portions.
Lennard Neuwirth, a sophomore in computer science, said freshmen should “stay away from carbs,” including pizza and pasta. She also recommends going light on salad dressings.
Most college students are also not getting enough sleep, which can lead to bad eating habits. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults get seven to eight hours of sleep per day. The Center for Student Wellness suggests limiting naps to 20 to 30 minutes and avoiding large meals before going to bed.
By combining healthy eating habits, sleep patterns and exercise, first-year students can give little weight to the “Freshman 15.”
@shellybrooke17