If your eating and exercise habits have fallen by the wayside since you've gone away to college, you're not alone. Weight gain during college is so common, it's nicknamed the freshman 15, for the amount of weight you will supposedly gain in your first year of college. Avoid the dreaded freshman 15 by staying active and eating healthily. Consult your doctor before changing your exercise and diet plan.
Eat Smart
If your college has a dining hall, you may be presented with unlimited options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Being able to eat whatever you want, whenever you want may tempt you to overeat. Whenever you visit the dining hall, fill up on salad before eating the foods your dining hall offers, so you'll be less likely to overeat. Make a big salad with lots of fresh vegetables, like lettuce, broccoli, chickpeas, black beans and tomatoes. Skip the shredded cheese and dressing, and opt instead for a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Once you've eaten the entire salad, fill up on other healthy foods like steamed vegetables, brown rice and chicken or fish.
Involve Your Friends
Exercising is more fun if you do it with friends. And your friends may be trying to keep off the freshman 15 too. Ask a few friends from class to run around campus every morning before class. If you're all enthusiastic about staying in shape, you'll keep each other motivated, even if you're having a bad day. On the weekends, play tennis or basketball, or go off campus for a hiking trip with your friends.
Keep Healthy Snacks in Your Room
Stock your room with trail mix, oatmeal, fruit, whole-wheat crackers, soup, popcorn and pita bread. If you have a refrigerator, fill it with baby carrots, hummus, low-fat string cheese, yogurt and a variety of healthy drinks like water, 100-percent fruit juice and seltzer. Stay away from sugary snacks and sodas, which can pack on excess calories and cause your blood sugar to spike and then drop.
Make Time for Exercise
If you're short on time, exercise on your way to classes. If you have a bike, ride your bike instead of walking. Take the long way back to your dorm at the end of the day to burn extra calories. As soon as you get back to your dorm, do 100 jumping jacks before you take off your shoes and get comfortable. This way, you'll be less likely to blow off your workout.
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