If you're heading off to college this year, you may already be dreading the "Freshman Fifteen." It's true that most new college students gain weight - sometimes a lot of weight - during their first couple of semesters, but it's also true that most students don't actually gain fifteen pounds. Statistics show that freshmen usually gain around six pounds and sophomores gain another two or three. Starting this kind of pattern won't help you later in life, though. Use these strategies to keep yourself slim and trim at school.
1. Get enough exercise! One reason so many coeds gain weight during college is that they aren't participating in sports anymore. Even if you aren't a college athlete, Foyle's war there are plenty of exercise opportunities at any college. Take an exercise class. Walk or bike instead of driving to class and work. Join an intramural team, or just work out three times a week at the on-campus gym.
2. Don't eat out more than once or twice a week. Eating out is one thing that can cause almost anyone to gain weight. You might be surprised at just how many calories are in that huge meal from Steak n' Shake or those Applebee's "Half-App" specials. Eating out once a week or less will help both your waistline and your budget. If you can't handle being cooped up on campus all week, suggest a movie (don't get a huge tub of buttery popcorn!) or a hiking trip with a healthy picnic.
3. Watch your alcohol intake. For most students, part of the college experience is partying. But consuming too much alcohol can cause you not only to make stupid decisions but also to gain more weight. Even light beers have calories, and packing them on in liquid form is a surefire way to pack on the pounds. If you're at a party, have a water between every drink. You'll still have fun, but you'll cut your calories by more than half.
4. Sleep! Many college students are used to getting four or five hours of sleep a night. Did you know that this can slow your metabolism? Most nights of the week, you need to get between seven and nine hours of sleep. This doesn't mean that the occasional all-nighter is going to make you get fat, but never sleeping enough will push you toward that Freshman Fifteen mark. Plus, when you are tired, you're more likely to snack all day and overeat.
5. Keep healthy snacks in your room and bag. It's a proven fact that people who habitually graze on healthy snacks tend to be thinner. Instead of gorging yourself every night on the cafeteria's cardboard pizza, eat five or six small meals a day. Snacks to keep around include fruit, low-calorie granola bars, light yogurt cups, and just about any raw veggies. Get in the habit of grabbing one of these small snacks whenever you're hungry, and you won't have to worry about gaining too much weight.
These are obviously not the only ways to keep fit and healthy in college, but they're great places to start. You're already super busy with classes, friends, and maybe a job, so don't try to do it all at once. Instead, choose one of these steps each week or month to get into your routine. By the end of first semester, you'll be smiling when you can still fit into jeans from your senior year of high school.
Crystal is the owner of GreekForMe - a licensed fraternity and sorority Greek merchandise store.
In her free time, she volunteers at her kids' school and also actively supports Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society.
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