<p>So I'm a senior in high school, and I'm pretty passionate about staying healthy and in shape, and I'm pretty worried about all of the horror stories of the "freshman 15". Do people really gain that much weight in college? Is it more difficult to stay in shape? Any tips on how to avoid it?</p>
<p>If you eat as you would at home, you don't need to worry about the Freshman 15. If you're eating pizza at 2 AM 4 nights a week, you might have some issues.
Most schools also have some form of recreation center/gym that is open to students with their IDs. Motivation to go there would probably correlate with how close your dorm is to the rec center. If it's a 25 minute walk, you might exercise more just walking there.</p>
<p>I gained around 5 lbs my freshman year... well i sorta did pig out and didn't goto the gym. You can manage to lose it pretty fast though i would think... I'm a junior now and I lost 20-30 lbs ish</p>
<p>My first year I played lacrosse for school and it kept my weight in check to some degree...but once it was over I gained like 35 lbs. Went home and lost 50 now I keep the late night snacking to a minimum, or at least keep it somewhat healthy with graham crackers, fig nutons, and fruit rather than chips, candy, pizza and soda. Going to the gym about 3 days a week helps too but thats more of a physique thing for me rather than to keep weight off.</p>
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If you eat as you would at home, you don't need to worry about the Freshman 15.
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<p>Just want to point out that while this point seems valid, it's misleading. Most females start to have a slower metabolism in their early 20's, which is when you're in your 3rd or 4th year. Unless you're lucky, you'll have to adjust your eating/drinking.</p>
<p>People gain weight because they stop paying attention to their bodies. Most people have a general sense that they're eating decently, and working out enough, and this sense tends to be wrong. The only way to really be sure is to BUY A DAMN SCALE and track your weight (once a week at the same time is good). If you notice that you've put on more than a pound or two, make an effort to lose it that week. This is really, really important for college because the dorm food tends to be more calorie-dense, so even "healthy" food like turkey burgers and pasta will put on weight (while making you think that you're eating well!)</p>
<p>I'm a freshman right now. A lot of people I know have gained the extra fifteen, a few have lost a few pounds, and some have stayed the same. You just have to be responsible and aware of what's going on. </p>
<p>Get the smallest meal plan your school offers. A surefire way to gain a ton of weight is to eat buffet-style meals twice a day, seven days a week. Limit dining hall meals to once a day, and buy some healthy things for you to cook yourself. Most dorms have a kitchen that you can use, and a chicken breast on a George Foreman is often a lot better than what the dining hall is serving up.</p>
<p>Get a scale. Weigh yourself once or twice a week - that way, you'll know as soon as you start gaining weight and can work to lose it. Burning off a pound or two is a lot easier than trying to get rid of fifteen.</p>
<p>If your school has a gym, use it. Work it into your schedule. It might not be close to your dorm, though, and if that's the case, figure out which one of your classes is located closest to it. Bring your workout clothes with you and stop by for a workout after it's over.</p>
<p>An average freshman actually gain about 5 to 6 pounds. There have been studies on it.</p>
<p>Just watch out for the buffet style dining halls- grab a small plate (maybe from the salad bar) and use that to control your portions. Try to avoid meals heavy in fat and cream like casseroles (spinch, broccoli, etc) and mac n cheese (if they look really creamy and cheesy than your regular Kraft variety).</p>
<p>You'll find a way to fit in the gym in your schedule. The trick is to try to avoid the rush hour (usually between 3 PM to 7 pm).</p>
<p>If anything, being a woman going from high school through college SUCKS. Early 20s is the time when your body actually starts to fill out for a more curvy body- just take a look at pics of Lindsay Lohan and Hillary Duff since 2000. Heck, take a look at senior girls/grad students and freshmen on campus. The older girls didn't slack off- it's just the way women's bodies work. When I was a high school senior who didnt really work out, I looked like a pin but carried a lot of fat but little curves. Now as a first year grad student, I work out 5-6 times a week for an hour, including one day of long training run, and eat decently, I still gained weight but lost the fat. My body looks a bit different- more like woman's than a teenager's. I hate hearing my grandmother saying "your 13 year old cousin has a cute, dancer's body!"- that just makes me feel guilty that I'm not 13 anymore.. :P I can't help it!</p>
<p>Ive gained like 10 pounds of muscle so no</p>
<p>I have lost weight so far, must be all the walking and the "light" beer</p>
<p>Make exercise a social thing; you'll be more likely to go running or to dance class if you have friends you've committed to do it with. Eat a healthy breakfast and DON'T eat a lot at night.</p>
<p>Also, "eating the way you did at home" might not be the best way to go.</p>
<p>My friend used to be overweight in high school because he ate unhealthily at home. When he got to college, he was able to choose his own food, and got a lot of exercise just by walking around campus. He lost almost 20 pounds in the first semester of his freshman year (seriously), and has just been gaining muscle and losing fat since then.</p>
<p>When I graduated and started exercising 3 times a week, I lost over 10lbs and inches off my hips/waist. I have to wear belts just to keep my pants up. I don't think I will ever get back to my high school weight but I definitely feel more energized and toned. Exercising for 30 minutes 3 times a week (or 45 minutes 2 times a week) will keep the excess weight off.</p>
<p>Exercise and healthy eating are the major factors to prevent excess weight gain.</p>
<p>When I graduated from college, I lost over 10lbs in the first 6 months because I stopped eating unhealthy food and staying up extremely late. I ate smaller food proportions and didn't have the stress of schoolwork/exams to haunt me. </p>
<p>Once I started exercising in a gym regularly, I lost more inches/weight off my body. I have to wear belts just to keep my pants up. Drink plenty of water!! I feel more energized and happier about myself.</p>
<p>I am a HUGE PROPONENT of college graduates to work in the real world before they go back to graduate school. I feel less stressed and healthier because I can exercise regularly and pursue hobbies I didn't have time in college.</p>
<p>One of the main reasons for the freshman 15 is alcohol. Not only do you consume a lot of calories from drinking, but alcohol also impede's your body's ability to metabolize fat efficiently. Personally, I graduated from hs weighing about 105 lbs and maintained my weight during freshman year. Right now (midway through my sophomore year) I'm about 108 lbs...I've gained a few pounds the past few weeks mostly from the study munchies, being sedentary (studying for finals!)...and yeah, going out on the weekend.
okay finals are over, going on a run now! lol ;)</p>
<p>Don't use the shuttle or bike around campus (except for safety reasons). Rely on walking/jogging to get everywhere.</p>
<p>My ex is a vegetarian and she had an inverse freshman fifteen because there weren't very many vegetarian options at her school.</p>
<p>^Exactly what is happening to me.</p>
<p>My dining hall caused me to gain five pounds. It's all you can eat, which is just such a horrible mentality. Despite the fact that I went to the gym regularly this semester, and walked at least 20 minutes around campus every day (probably more than that, on average), I managed to gain weight. I don't even know how I let that happen. But I've lost the weight already and am watching what I eat. If you watch what you eat, you'll be fine.</p>
<p>i lost 10 lbs. And the food is great here. I don't understand myself sometimes</p>