In one of our previous blog post Adjusting to College Life, we touched on the Freshman 15 and felt it deserved a post entirely devoted to this topic. “Freshman 15” is a phrase that strikes fear into the hearts of College freshman across the nation, a somewhat somber reminder of what they can expect after their freshman year. Most freshman enter into their first year of college with the full expectation of gaining weight their freshmen year.

These freshmen would be able to avoid these extra pounds by simply understanding what causes the “freshman 15” and what they can do to avoid freshmen fifteen weight. Here are some good tips that will help educate you on the freshman 15 and give you tips on how to combat it. 

Freshman 15 Causes 

The Freshman Fifteen are caused by the perfect storm of lifestyle changes, with multiple factors coming together to cause weight gain. Freshmen who are worried about gaining weight during their freshman year need to realize that their new lifestyle change will require a change in habits.

Freshmen are known for eating on the go. With random and busy schedules, freshmen can rarely find time to sit down for a meal. When freshmen can sit down for a meal, they are limited to whatever they can fit in their mini-fridge and cook in a refrigerator. This often leads to poor food choices, which can lead to weight gain.

Freshmen are also notorious for staying up late on a regular basis. The snacks that you eat during the late hours of the night will come back to haunt you, as your body is more likely to store sugars and fats at night. A simple snack of fries and a pop, over the course of a year, can lead to significant weight gain.

Freshmen fifteen statistics show that freshmen are less active in college. When you move to college, your lifestyle changes, and the idea of going to the gym for a workout is less attractive. Many freshmen do not have cars, making getting to the gym difficult. The combination of bad foods, late night eating, and fewer workouts will lead to a Freshman 15. 

Avoid the Freshman 15 

Freshmen are constantly looking for tips to avoid freshman 15 weight, trying to learn how to avoid the freshman 15. There are some simple and easy tips to follow that will help individuals to lose freshman 15 weight.

One simple tip is to control your eating habits. Set specific times for snacks and meals, keeping flexible for last minute schedule changes. The most important time to set is a cut-off time; do not let yourself eat past a certain time of day. Stopping your food intake around 8PM or 9PM will help you to avoid the freshman 15.

Another tip is to post pictures of yourself in the places that you eat. These “Freshman 15 pictures” will help to keep you motivated, reminding you of the body that you would like to keep as you debate your food choices.

The best tip for those looking to lose the Freshmen 15 is to go on a steady and reasonable diet. Crash dieting never works for those who gain the freshmen fifteen, as they simply gain the weight back when they stop the diet. Small diet changes, including fewer carbohydrates, no fast food, and no soda, will help you to avoid the freshman 15.

Freshman 15 Stories 

Most stories start out with “why me” and “what did I do wrong?” It’s usually the perfect storm of a change in lifestyle and diet. If you follow some of the advice above, you may actually have a good story to tell about it. Just be sure and keep your head up and realize there are ways you can overcome these challenges physically and mentally.

Feel free to share you freshman 15 stories on AnyCollege.com.