Shannon KeoughGoing into freshman year of college, most men think about what their careers will be, what friends will be like and what the future holds. Women on the other hand, think mainly about one thing: will they become one of the millions who gain the freshman 15, or as my roommate and I like to call it the sophomore 25.
Of course we also wonder about the obvious things of what to expect in college, but one of my main concerns was – how much weight will I actually gain?
Many women take precautions before they leave for school and do research on how to stay thin, when everyone else is getting heavier by each bite of cafeteria food. I know women search the Internet about this topic because I am definitely guilty of it. Research tells you to take a scale to school and weigh yourself every week, make sure not to go over a certain weight and if a person does go over their target weight to cut back the carbohydrates. Thinking about it as a junior, it just sounds absurd. Cut back on carbs? In Cabrini’s cafeteria? Yeah, ok.
One thing that made it really hard for me not to gain weight was the weather. I am from Orlando, Fla., and it almost never gets below 70 degrees. Needless to say that coming here was a huge change for me. When I was in high school I worked out on a regular basis. I would run or go to the gym, just so I would be able to stay in shape.
When I came to Cabrini, going to the gym lasted about two weeks. I never had any time and when I finally decided to make time for the gym, it was fall and I was freezing.
The winter was even worse. I would try to go to the gym but walking there was such a hassle in the snow, especially going from East Residence. Then once you get there you have to change from your sweatpants into shorts, boots into gym shoes and it was just too much, I know I sound so lazy right now.
So I thought that there had to be a better way to get rid of my “winter weight” than going to the gym. I just did not know how to stay in shape and not exercise. The answer is: TBD.
There is definitely a way that the freshman 15 can be diminished: by not drinking. By drinking beer you are asking to gain the weight. I mean do you realize how many calories are in beer?
Of course when drinking you don’t just have one beer. It would be pointless. And most of us don’t just drink one night a week. Just think about it, that is a lot of calories.
Also, when drinking a lot of people order food, guilty again. So you aren’t only drinking, but eating food that is definitely not healthy. Sorry, a chicken cheese steak from Campus Corner is not considered healthy just because it has protein in it. This eating also happens late at night, unless you drink during the day and in that case you should probably just try out an AA meeting.
In order not to gain the freshman 15, I suggest four things. Try not to eat as many carbs, don’t drink, try not to order out as much, and don’t eat late at night. I am not guaranteeing anything, but these ideas may work.
Or another solution is to forget about the weight gain and just have fun. These are supposed to be the best years of our lives, so forget about carb counting. Go out, be yourself, have a blast and try to run once in a while.
