We’ve all heard of the dreaded “freshman 15,” brought on by too many all-nighters, parties, slices of pizza and late-night ice cream runs.  But with a few smart choices and a handful of easy routine changes, you can keep the extra pounds at bay and look and feel better too!

Six Ways to Avoid the “Freshman 15”

College campus

1.  Take the stairs. Whether your lecture is on the second floor or the sixth, skip the elevator and make your way up the stairs instead.  It might hurt the first few days, but by the end of the semester?  You’ll be a stair-climbing all-star!

2.  Walk or bike instead of taking the bus whenever you can.  Every little bit of movement helps.  Plus, getting out in the sunshine and fresh air is always a welcome change from all the lecture halls and libraries.

3.  Go to the gym or take a fitness class.  When you can’t squeeze it into your schedule, try doing some push-ups, lunges and squats in your dorm room.  Too easy?  Use your heaviest textbooks as hand weights.

4.  Get enough sleep.  As tempting as it is to stay out and party, or as necessary as it feels to pull an all-nighter to cram for an exam, you’ll look and feel better if you get a good night’s sleep.  Bonus: you’ll be able to stay awake in class and focus better, too!

5.  Stay hydrated.  And I mean with water, not soda or coffee or alcohol.  Carry a reuseable bottle with you to all your classes, and keep sipping.  Oftentimes, people think they are hungry when they are really just dehydrated.  Plus, your skin will look better, you’ll feel a little more energized.

6.  Get your fruits and vegetables.  In the dining hall, hit the salad bar first if you can, and fill up your plate.  If you’re allowed to take food out of the dining area, snag an extra apple or banana to eat later as a mid-afternoon snack.  Keep healthy snacks on hand so you don’t submit to the vending machines.  Carry baby carrots, apples, a snack-sized bag of roasted nuts, or a peanut butter sandwich (on whole wheat bread) in your backpack to eat between classes on your busiest days. If you have a fridge in your dorm room, keep some yogurt, milk, veggies and dressing, and fruit on hand.  Popcorn, cereal and milk or fruit dipped in peanut butter are excellent study snacks that you can easily stash in your dorm.

College dining hall

What are your best tips for avoiding college weight gain?

Photo 1: Pointillist [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Photo 2: Daderot [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons