Skip to main content

The Deadly, "Freshman 15"

Image result for freshman 15

Yes, the Freshman 15. We've all heard of it and we all want to avoid it. Let's talk about how we can do so. Nurtition is a huge part of maintaining a healthy weight in college. As college students, in a college town, there are so many temptations when it comes to unhealthy food and guilty pleasures.

You'll come into college thinking that you can eat everything. College students sometimes think and live like "Oh, but that couldn't happen to me!" But it can, and with thinking like that, it will. It's inevitable. Having the right mindset and taking the proper percautions for your own nutritional health is vital. In Geneseo's website, they include many helpful tips when it comes to caring for your overall health in avoiding the Freshman 15.

Everyone has always judged the fat kid at the gym, saying "Why are they even here?" Well maybe because they had the same thinking that you did. They thought that they could never gain that much weight but that's exactly what happened. Be aware of what you're eating. Instead of that Chick-fil-a, you could eat Subway. And you don't have to eat out every single day. It is possible as I've said in my earlier posts that you can eat healthy in the dining halls. Make the right decisions for yourself because you only get one body, one life.

Comments

  1. What an eye opening post! I consider myself lucky in not having to experience the Freshman 15. I'm not what you call a healthy eater 24/7, and I bet my unhealthy habits will catch up with me in the future. I've been the same weight since sixth grade... yes, 6th grade, give or take a few pounds, but it hasn't been a drastic change. I've always wondered if the Freshman 15 would happen to me once I start coming to college, and I was prepared for that change to come, but it never did. Who knows? Maybe I'll see a change before I graduate; hopefully I don't, but there's still a possibility if I continue on having an unhealthy diet.

    Whenever I see someone doing something to better themselves, I feel very proud of them. Most go through a massive weight change, but don't do anything to improve. It's good to see that some are actually out there trying to make a difference in themselves. I know that if I ever experience that type of change in my life, I'll regret my nutritional choices, but at the same time, I'll try my best to get myself back on track.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am so happy that you talked about this. I know I had that exact same mindset when I got to college. I did track and cross country year round since junior high so I basically could eat whatever I want, even though I shouldn't have. Anyways, I carried those same eating habits with me into college and easily gained 10 pounds my freshman year. Luckily I got a reality check, learned about proper nutrition and exercise, and got into better shape then I was in high school. I know many college students do not practice proper eating habits. It is definitely hard to maintain when the constant culture of college involves late night food runs. It is essential for people to learn how to eat properly in college because everything around you is telling you otherwise. EIU does not help very much with their weekday late night pizza. Definitely nobody's friend who is trying to avoid the freshman 15. Also, I loved the link that you shared on your blog post. It was super practical.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I was lucky enough to avoid the freshman 15; I actually lost 10 pounds my first year but of course I gained it all back, and then some. I have been able to keep my gain at a minimal because I do enjoy eating healthy so I wasn't always indulging in processed foods. This is a post that seniors in high school be aware of. We all joke about the freshman 15 but most freshman actually do gain weight. We should develop healthy habits before college but its not always easy. We are lucky to have healthier options in our dinning halls and we have the options to not eat in the food court all the time.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yes freshman 15 is real and it happened to me smh! I mean I didn't gain the whole 15 pounds but it felt like it. I knew about it before I came to college but I didn't think that it would happen to me because I was kind of little. The dining halls and the food court doesn't make things any better. WE are basically forced to eat the dining hall food because we paid for it. In my opinion, they should have more healthier foods in the dining halls. I got it together and started going to the gym though. Thank god for the snapback.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is a very realistic post! I suffered from the freshman 15 when I first came to college because at the time I thought there were so many food options and I wanted to try it all; especially since I was by myself and I didn't have my mother to stop me, but I immediately regretted when I gained those 15 pounds (but it felt like I gained 25 pounds). This post is very helpful trying to maintain our nutrition as well as our overall health. Good job!

    ReplyDelete
  6. When my mom first explained "freshman 15" I thought she was joking, but I later founded out it does exist. Luckily I didn't gain the whole 15 pounds but I did gain a few. I would try and go to the gym like everyday after I got the freshman 15 comments during the holidays. I agree with you when you say not to eat out every night because you should watch what you eat and when you do eat out you don't think about how much you eat. Overall great post.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Really nice job Cheyenne! I was one of those people who gained the freshman 15, only mine was more like 25. It is soooooo easy to eat any and everything when you get here. I earned my pounds by snacking in the library trying to stay up all night. This is a very serious thing, and I wish someone would have warned me before. Very glad you did your blog post on this. And your blog is very cute!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I liked how you mentioned college kids have the mind set that "oh it won't happen to me" because that is so true! I recently have been eating so much food and thinking oh well I'm still looking healthy. I should definitely catch this before it gets out of hand. I think many college kids also gain the freshman 15 from over consumption of alcohol, since it is so high in calories. I agree people should be more mindful when choosing eating options. Good post because it's easy to relate to!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Let's Talk About Meal Prep!

Meal Prep, I know it sounds hard. BUT, it doesn't have to be. I'm going to give you a few ideas and helpful tips when it comes to shopping for, and choosing nutritional, budget-friendly foods!  Now when it comes to planning out a meal, budgeting will be your best friend! Set a budget, and stick to it. I know that it doesn't always come naturally to people, and that's okay. Sit down and write out how much money you have for the month and set aside some for food. Take that amount and portion it weekly so that you are able to switch it up because who wants to eat the same thing for three weeks? Not I. For me personally, being able to finance my money and stick to how much I plan on spending on food has definitely helped me cut down on things I want instead of things that I need. Like do you really need those hot Cheetos? We both know you don't. So put them down.  Shop when there are sales! Don't be ashamed to whip out some coupons, they will save you ...

Intro

Well hey there, my name is Cheyenne Jackson. I'm a full-time student at Eastern Illinois University located in a small town near Champaign called Charleston. I'm 20 years old and I'm studying Health Administration with a minor in Business. A lot of people ask me "Well what do you want to do with that?" And at first, I didn't exactly know because I used to be a Pre-nursing major. And MAN am I glad I switched. But I would really love to open up my own clinic for inner city families who don't have great access to good quality care. But for now, I'm only in my second year... We'll get there, eventually!  Some interesting things about me, well I like to cook all kinds of things. I've basically become a gym rat and I'm so glad because I used to hate the gym believe it or not (you can). Going to the gym and eating right have so many benefits. And in my future blog posts, I look forward to sharing some great information about proper nutritio...

Nutrition in Dining Halls

I get it, eating in dining halls on college campuses are not always the most healthy options! But there certainly are ways to make sure that you are not eating too much of a good thing. For example, say the entree today is a chicken sandwich. You can choose to get it grilled instead of fried. Instead of french fries, you can have a fruit or vegetable plate. And I know "But why?!" trust me, I know it's tough, but it'll be worth it! It's the little things that make the biggest difference in a diet.  Know what you're eating, most dining halls come with a nutrition guide so take advantage of it. Being aware of what and how much you are putting into your body is another important part of good nutrition. Although the portion may look small visually, always take into consideration how many calories you are consuming in one sitting.  The USDA has ten helpful tips to students who have to rely on dining hall food when it comes to proper nutrition.  1. Know what ...