How to Avoid the "Freshman 15"

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By DaniJo
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (4 Ratings)

Your away from home (often for the first time) and are faced with the university lifestyle: beer, burgers, and bars. French fries and tacos covered in chili. Throw in classes, parties, and studying too! Just when do you plan to go to the gym? Who's counting the calories and balancing the diet? Me? You? Nope! Suddenly, your favorite jeans look like they've been spray-painted to your backside and you notice a new jiggle in your thighs.

Welcome to the Freshman 15!

Fear not, friends, it need not be this way! These are simple ways to combat this pesky little problem.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

comfortable clothes
running shoes
water
towel (optional)
personal responsibility

Step 1

"What goes through your lips, will go straight to your hips!" Put simply, watch what you eat. It is insanity to assume that one must give up all the yummy foods in order to maintain your weight, but remember moderation and alternative yummies. Nix the large coffee chains and brew your own cup of joe. A fat free creamer and a little sugar can jazz up your cup and the calories and fat grams are safely off your bum!
Step 2

Invest in a good pair of comfortable walking shoes. Ditch the high-healed strappy shoes a couple days a week and don the tennies. Walk, blade, bike, hike, or wander to class rather than hopping the bus or driving the car. Some university campuses are HUGE, but many are small enough that at least a portion of the commute can be on foot, or some other mode of transportation. Saves on gas AND burns those calories! It's a WIN/WIN!
Step 3

Make the university fitness center your new friend. Acquaint yourself with the gym on campus. Make it an important part of your weekly schedule. It is not necessary to go every day, but a few times a week will help to combat the pesky flab!