Avoiding the “Freshman 15”

Avoiding the “Freshman 15”

  Every incoming freshman fears the dreaded “Freshman 15” but many don’t know that this ominous weight gain is easily avoidable. The simplest solution to this problem is to maintain a lifestyle that consists of moderate exercise and a healthy diet. This feat may seem impossible to some, but it can be accomplished.

  HCC student, Chelsea Cambridge thinks it’s easier for community college students to not be affected by the “Freshman 15.” Like many of the students at HCC, she still lives with her parents and healthy food is easily accessible. She said, “My mom still makes dinner for the family. Last night we had vegetable lasagna.” Cambridge is a 5-foot-7 healthy size 6 and is content with her current weight. Many girls her age are entirely too concerned about dieting and losing weight but she tries not to worry about it too much. She said that if she lost some weight she would be fine; but if she gained some weight then that would be fine too.

  Because she doesn’t pay rent, Cambridge spends money on a gym membership at a 24-hour gym. “I’m usually pretty busy with classes and work but I can always find time to work out because I can go at 4:00 a.m. No problem.” She did not succumb to the “Freshman 15” because of her early morning trips to the gym and her mother’s cooking. Maintaining or even losing weight during the first year at a new college is possible. The only things that are required are a balanced diet and regular exercise, Cambridge said.

  One trend America is noticing is that the “Freshman 15” is evolving into a hefty “Freshman 30.” This is contributed to the tendency of college students to eat convenient food rather than healthy food. Top Ramen noodles, Easy-Mac macaroni and cheese, and microwavable breakfast burritos seem to be filling up the typical college students’ pantries, refrigerators, and freezers. These easy meals are all great for the bank account because of their affordable prices but not so great for the scale.

  Lola Rivia is a student at the University of South Florida who claims to eat food that is quickly prepared and cheap to buy. Rivia said, “With my schedule, I don’t have time to prepare an even relatively healthy meal.” Most of the food in her apartment can be prepared in five minutes or less. She knows that there is a price to pay for convenience and that price is the lack of nutrition in the food she consumes. Rivia claims to have gained 20 pounds during her first year of college. She said, “It took a lot of hard work to lose that [weight]. I started to run every single day which has helped.” Although many personal trainers stress a healthy diet in addition to moderate exercise, some students prefer to maintain a poor diet and turn to excessive exercise instead.

  Rivia’s advice to incoming students is to take the time to make a healthy meal and to try to exercise on a regular basis. “I don’t want anyone to have worry about their favorite jeans no longer fitting.”