It has long been known that many of us succumb to the freshman 15 in the first year of college. Those are the extra pounds that we put on when we take over responsibility for feeding ourselves. The good news is that there are some tactics you can use to prevent such a weight gain. Keep reading to find out what they are.
Sleep
First of all, when it comes to putting on weight, not sleeping enough each night can be a significant contributing factor. Unfortunately, what with the all-night cram sessions, and the partying, your sleep schedule can really get disrupted in the first year. Not to mention the added stress of having to try and fit working into your schedule as well, which can make it seem as if there is very little time for sleep at all.
Of course, the key here is striking a balance. After all, to never pull an all-nighter or stay out late with your buddies is unrealistic. Instead, try and aim for early nights 4 times a week and make up your sleep there. Also sleeping in after a big night out can help your body get its equilibrium back and means you won’t be reaching for sugary, fatty food all day.
Exercise
New routines and demands on your time can make it very easy for exercise to be the activity that is left off of your schedule. Unfortunately, being more sedentary is one of the worst factors that can contribute to weight gain during the first year of college.
The good news is that exercise and college are excellent bedfellows. After all, not only is it a great stress reliever, that will help you concentrate better when you hit the books, but it’s also a fantastic way to meet new people as well. Try joining a team or a club like Football or climbing.
Additionally, exercise builds muscle mass, and the more muscle you have, the more calories you will burn. A tactic that can help tip the scales in favour of keeping a healthy weight. Many people even choose to use supplements like this muscle hardener to make building muscles even easier. Something that will make it as easy as possible to maintain a healthy lifestyle and weight.
You are what you eat ( & drink)
The first year of college is fun! You don’t have anyone there telling you what to do, or what to eat. There are also many parties to attend. Unfortunately, it can be effortless to get into bad habits such as eating fried food every day rather than cooking, and drinking your calories!
With that in mind, it is a good idea to keep an eye on what you eat and drink. In fact, including fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains at every meal is smart. While stocking your dorm with healthy snacks is a good idea too. Oh, and going easy on the alcohol and choosing diet mixers is an excellent way of avoiding the freshman 15 as well!
