Are you preparing for college and have some worry about maintaining your weight? Certainly, you are not alone in this predicament. You may have heard about the “Freshman 15” and stories on college weight gain from your family and friends. The fact is that even though some students could show some amount of weight-increase, you don’t have to worry about it is as much. The tips below will help you avoid the “Freshman 15.”
1. Snack smart
The freedom of eating anything that waters your taste buds will possibly be the primary cause of weight gain. It is, therefore, vital to practice moderation in the case of snacks. Stay away from the vending machines at the student union, and refrain from stocking up on the fatty snacks at your convenience store.
Instead of the fattening snacks, bring along your healthy snacks for the day, which may include apples, whole-grain pretzels, and low-salt mixed nuts. These foods offer energy that you require in your body without gaining of weight.
Sugary and high-fat snacks could be the main delicacy in campus parties and although it is nice to indulge in them occasionally, binging during these parties on a weekly timeframe could contribute to fast weight gain. Campuses currently have a lot of small shops where you can grab unhealthy snacks. Instead, heat a 100-calorie popcorn bag in the community microwave in the commonplace or use your microwave.
2. Refrain from skipping meals
Skipping meals could fast become a recurrent thing thanks to your new busy schedule and social commitments; however, when you skip meals, it could make you binge on food when you finally sit down to eat.
Taking breakfast is extremely crucial since hunger could grab your attention from schoolwork and lectures. In case you have a difficult time consuming large meals, eat about five meals in the day rather than three big meals. It will give you the energy to sustain you for the whole day and assist you in staying away from binging whenever temptation catches on you.
When you have the early classes, there are some grab-and-go options for breakfast to consider. Keep boiled eggs on hand to eat it on your way to classes, or spread peanut butter on a whole-grain slice of bread to eat as you make your way to your bus stop. Keeping portable, healthy food in your bag will come in handy when avoiding the “Freshman 15.” According to some research, people who skip their breakfast have a high risk of gaining weight.
3. Regularly weigh yourself
To prevent your pounds from progressing more, keep a scale. Research indicates that successful weight-losers weigh themselves at a minimum of once per week. In case you realize that you are gaining weight, equip yourself with a food diary or utilize apps such as MyFitnessPal to check what you are consuming and what is missing in your diet.
In the case having a busy schedule, try eating 4 and a half cups of fruits and vegetables each day, which fills you up, while minimizing potential weight gain. It’s a good alternative to high-calorie crackers and chips.
Made-to-order omelets offer an excellent way to consume more vegetables. Add some tomatoes, spinach, and mushrooms whenever you’re ordering it. Additionally, you should find out if your college has a program which allows students to interact with on-staff dietitians at no cost.
4. Get Moving
When you are passive, it may culminate to weight gain. If you were practicing some sport in high school and you’ve stopped doing it, then your metabolism will slow down. You should attempt to include 30 minutes of active exercise into your daily schedule. It does not matter if it’s just brisk walking; it will slow down or prevent gaining of weight and make you feel better.
You could also make an effort of checking your college activity center for exercise classes. Get some of your friends and hold each other accountable. If your campus does not have a health club, you could search for gyms that are budget friendly. You could also get involved with intramural sports such as Ultimate Frisbee or broomball.
As a campus student, most of your time will be spent sitting in the lecture halls or at the school library. It is, therefore, crucial to devote some time to exercise. A study conducted by the Harvard Medical School indicates that sitting for long hours increases the risk of contracting an illness that is weight-related.
5. Look for a College Fitness Blogs
In case you are still stressing about gaining weight on campus, look for an informational blog that suits your interests and will assist you in staying on track. It could offer you motivation and inspiration to put more effort into your fitness strategy.
Here are some blogs that could capture your interest:
-Nerd Fitness: After several years throughout college and high school looking for the right approach to maintain fitness, Steve Kamb began blogging to provide his knowledge to people who have a hard time watching their weight as he did. His blog focuses on topics about diet, fitness and mindset, with some nerdiness included.
-Fit Bottomed Girls: Although this blog has the female target audience in mind, men could find crucial information there also. With a blend of humor, love, and fun, the three women that manage this blog share information in regards being active and healthy, minus depriving yourself.
-Born Fitness: The objective of this blog is to make all the information found in the fitness industry simple and gets rid of the empty promises. It’s a great blog to get good data which deconstructs all fitness gimmicks and faulty science.
Author Bio
Salutations! My name is David Hoang. I’m the owner of SupplementSuperhero.com where we talk about a variety of health topics mainly centered around weight loss, supplement reviews, and concepts to help you get the kind of health and body you desire