How to Avoid The Freshman 15
I had always thought the freshman 15 was a myth and it could never and would never happen to me.
I am here to tell you that the freshman 15 is definitely real and it could most definitely can happen to you if you are not creating good healthy habits for yourself.
Going to college can be a drastic and sometimes overwhelming change for most of us. This is the first time most of us are responsible for our own meals as well.
With that being said, it can be difficult to incorporate a healthy lifestyle given the other newly issued responsibilities and obligations we have as new college students.
I unfortunately became a victim of the freshman 15. I realized it around February of my freshman year.
Me and a few of my friends decided to go support some friends at their recreational sports game that was a the gym. We were all hanging out in a common area and a scale was sitting around the corner. As soon as I got on the scale my heart dropped.
I had gained 15 pounds and was heavier than I had ever been before….and I hadn’t even noticed. Well…. I noticed that my jeans didn’t fit quite the same but I never had paid any attention to it.
When I was younger, I struggled with weight issues but had overcome them at the beginning of high school. To see myself back in a place I had fought so hard to get out of was utterly heart breaking. All I wanted to do was cry.
The next day, I had a game plan ready. With hard work, dedication, and the tips I am giving you in this post, I was able to reach my fitness goals….and you will be able to too!
Also Read: How to Boost Your Self Confidence and Self Esteem
How to Get Fit in College
Change your eating habits
Changing your eating habits is the first thing you should do when you decide to get fit in college. Sometimes its not what you are eating its how much you are eating. While other times its not how much you are eating it is what you are eating.
When it comes to having a healthy lifestyle in college, it is all about balance and can be a lot easier than you may think!
You don’t have to starve yourself or cut out all of your favorite foods. With a balanced diet, you will still be able to enjoy all of your favorite foods while still seeing the results you want to see.
Establish a workout routine
Working out is extremely important if you are trying to avoid the freshman 15 and get fit in college. However, to achieve the results you desire, it doesn’t take working out for an hour for 5-6 days per week.
Working out consistently 3-4 days per week for about 30-45 minutes is more than enough time to get your health back on track.
In the beginning of my weight loss journey, my workout routine only consisted of cardio. I was more interested in lowering my body fat percentage and getting my weight back down. After I was able to lose around 7-10 lbs, I ventured into weight lifting to help tone. My workout routine then consisted of 1 or 2 days of cardio and 2 days weight lifting.
Track your calorie and nutrition intake
My Fitness Pal will be your best friend during your journey of healthy eating.
My Fitness Pal is a great tool to keep track of what you are eating, how much you are eating, and the nutrients that you are getting from your foods.
After seeing the calories and nutrition information I was putting into my body, I was shocked! It truly motivated me to want to eat healthier and stay on track with my goals.
My Fitness Pal has pretty much every food that you can think of. And while their details might not be 100% accurate, it is still a good measuring tool to see what you are eating and tracking your nutrition intake.
The app allows you to enter your personalized fitness goals such as how much weight you want to lose/gain, what date you would like to achieve your goals, and the rigor of your journey.
Change your attitude
It can be easy to get down about your weight gain and it can be easy to lose your self confidence.
Gaining weight in college is perfectly normal and remember that you are not alone. With consistency and dedication, you will reach all of your fitness and health goals that you have for yourself.
Track your progress
The beginning of your fitness journey can and probably will be the most difficult part. It is important to take weekly, biweekly, or monthly progress pictures to remind yourself how far you have come!
At times, it can feel as if nothing is working and all of your hard work is going down the drain.
This is why it is so important to track your progress. It will give you motivation and encouragement to keep going and working towards for fitness goals.
I strongly believe that you are able to achieve anything that you set your mind to.
Keep going, pushing and striving for your goals!
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