The freshman fifteen continuously tops the list of anxieties for first-year college students, settling in somewhere between roommate troubles and an Minor In Possession charge. Below are five easy tips to follow to make sure all you accumulate this year are long-lasting memories, not unwanted extra pounds.
Some of you seniors who have acquired beer guts in the months since your 21st birthdays may need these tips, too.
CUI’s Kelsey Lindseygives five simple and helpful tips on how students can avoid the freshmen fifteen. (CU Independent/Amy Leder)
1. Actually use the gym
Whether you want to jog, walk away the stress of classes or enjoy a route on the climbing wall with friends, the Rec Center has tons of facilities to accommodate a wide range of fitness needs. Membership to the Rec Center is included within your student fees, so why not take advantage of it? Consider signing up for a fitness class at a little extra cost. The weekly schedule and group atmosphere are great lures to the gym when all you want to do is sit around and eat Ramen in your PJs.
2. Get creative with food in the dining hall
The endless array of food at on-campus eateries can be your waistline’s best friend or worst enemy. Try to hit the salad bar at every meal and get creative with the healthy options presented; then you won’t get bored a few weeks in and go back to the potato chips. A slice of cheese pizza topped with the daily roasted veggies and tofu turns into a yummy and healthy veggie pizza. The possibilities are endless.
3. Walk or bike to your destinations
If you are one of the lucky few freshman that has a car here at CU, consider keeping it in its place the next time you head to Pearl Street or go to the grocery store. The extra fifteen or twenty-minute walk can do some double duty, keeping the pounds off and helping you avoid a mental breakdown from the crazy Boulder traffic. Carry a few heavy shopping bags back with you to the dorms, and you’ve just added some nice strength training to that eco-friendly cardio workout.
4. Avoid eating while out celebrating
The Hill is one of the most popular hangouts for CU students, so it is no wonder that it is loaded with unhealthy eateries that sell everything from greasy burgers to sugar-loaded waffles. Try to avoid these places at all costs, especially after you have enjoyed a few adult beverages. Your guard may be down, but just think about how bad you will feel the morning after waking up to a half-devoured pizza in your bed. Save the snacking for the morning when you can eat off your headache with a healthy breakfast of eggs and fresh fruit.
5. Keep healthy snacks in the dorms
Although it seems like the dining halls are always open, there will come a day or, most likely, night when all those reliable eateries will be closed to your hungry self. For these sad occasions, make sure you have a supply of healthy snacks in your dorm room to quell that rumbling stomach. Oatmeal, nuts and fruit are all high-fiber, low-sugar go-to’s that will help nix those hunger cravings and hold you until the next dining hall meal.
Contact CU Independent Entertainment Editor Kelsey Lindsey at Kelsey.a.lindsey@colorado.edu.
