Starting college can be one of the most exciting times in a person’s life, however gaining 15 pounds is not one of the many changes freshman hope to endure. “The freshman 15” has been one of the most dreaded phrases that incoming students have had to deal with. The freshman 15 does not always affect every new student and every body type is affected differently.

Some students actually lose weight, some students may gain just a few pounds, and some may gain even more weight than 15 pounds. To avoid weight gain and to ultimately become a healthier, happier student that succeeds in college you can follow just a few simple rules.

It is no surprise college students are awake until the early hours of the morning and despite the lack of very much needed sleep you are often tempted to grab snacks throughout the night. Sometimes staying up all night cannot be avoided so when you are awake at 2:30 a.m. stay away from late night fast food meals and grab a piece of fruit or a whole-grain snack. Sleep is such a vital entity to our overall health so go to bed early and get your required eight to nine hours per day.

The second problem that most freshmen encounter in college is portion size. Even though the cafeteria might have several options for you to choose from and it might seem like the only way to get your money’s worth is to eat six meals in one setting, this habit can lead to serious weight gain.

The best option is to eat five to six small meals a day to keep your metabolism up. Choosing healthier food options is also very necessary. We all know by know what foods are healthy and what foods are not so be dedicated in creating a healthier lifestyle for yourself.

Lastly, getting an adequate amount of exercise can save you from packing on those unwanted pounds. There are many ways to fit exercise into your busy college schedule. Walking to class is a great option for those that live on campus and biking is a great option for those living off campus. Take an exercise course. You can burn calories and get college credit.  Join a gym. Tech Fit offers a variety of exercise equipment and it’s a bargain for Tech students at only $10 per semester. Tech Fit is located in the Hull physical education building.

By following these small steps you can to avoid gaining that unwanted weight and ultimately create a healthier you to make your college experience even greater.