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College Weight Gain
Are you destined to gain the Freshman Fifteen?
Students today are faced with the serious reality of unwanted
weight gain as they enter college. A recent study by Cornell
University found that on average, college freshman gain about
0.5 pounds a week. This is almost 11 times more than the average
weight gain among 17-and 18-year olds and almost 20 times more
than the average weight gain among American adults! In the face
of such staggering statistics two obvious questions arise: 1)
Why are college students gaining weight at such an alarming
rate? and 2) How can college weight gain be avoided?
Q: Why are college students gaining weight at such an alarming
rate?
A: There are many different specifics that lead the student
to gain weight in college, but they can be summed up into three
main categories.
1.Increase in Calories College life encourages an increase
in the caloric intake of students. College is filled with social
events and social events usually equal FOOD! Most college cafeterias
serve their food buffet style, and when given access to unlimited
amounts of food most people automatically overeat. Fast food,
while laden with calories, is cheap so it appeals to the budget
of a college student. Studying for long hours often leads to
snacking for hours. Blended coffee drinks and smoothies are
often staples in a college student's diet even though these
items often pack more calories than a regular meal.
2.Decrease in Activity When students enter college most of
them leave organized sports behind them. These students that
were used to practicing five or more times a week for hours
at a time are now left with no accountability to be active.
Couple this with the hectic schedule that most college students
deal with, and it begins to make sense why most incoming freshmen
don't even make time to find the campus gym, let alone visit
it regularly!
3.Metabolism Killers College students are notorious for crashing
their metabolism by poorly managing their diets. This occurs
when a student eats too few meals, and ends up eating extra
large meals once or twice a day instead of proportioned meals
throughout the day. A common metabolism killer of college students
is skipping breakfast, the most important meal of the day as
it starts one's metabolism up in the morning. Eating late at
night is another classic metabolism killer of college students.
Q: How can college weight gain be avoided?
A: The first step in avoiding weight gain is to be aware of
the things that cause it. Couple that with the following three
suggestions of proven ways to avoid weight gain, and you are
looking at a plan of success!
1.Set a Goal The best way to ensure that you don't become the
next college weight gain statistic is to make it your goal not
to gain the weight. Be aware of the changes to your lifestyle
once you enter college, and make a conscious effort to only
allow healthy changes to occur. Post your goal where you can
view it every day and periodically check your progress by weighing
yourself.
2.Practice Nutritious Eating Be aware of the pitfalls of college
eating habits and concentrate on eating nutritious well-balanced
meals. Avoid fried foods and foods high in calories. Eat as
many fresh vegetables and fruits as you can, and practice portion
control while roaming the cafeteria.
3.Join an Exercise Program Whether you join an intramural sports
team, enroll in PE, or attend an aerobics class the bottom line
is that you need to be active in order to ward off the freshman
fifteen. Find an activity that you enjoy and consistently do
it. You should be exercising a minimum of half an hour three
times each week. A great way to keep consistent is to build
accountability with a friend.
Armed with an informed game plan and some effort, any college
student can avoid weight gain. For more information on college
weight gain, and for your own game plan visit www.AvoidTheFreshman15.com.
You don't have to settle for depressing weight gain as you navigate
through the most exciting time of your life! You deserve the
body of your dreams.
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