Weight Loss in College: Is it Possible?
In a word: yes! Everyone knows about the freshman fifteen, but no one seems to know how to combat it. True, it doesn’t take a monumental leap in logic to know that diet and exercise is best, but that hardly gives you a plan of action to attack extra pounds, so here are a few tips and tricks that will help you maintain your weight or even lose those pesky pounds that have found a home in your body.
1. Learn to love your veggies.
You don’t have to eat a salad for every meal, but incorporating some greens into your diet will not only help you lose weight, it can significantly improve your feeling of overall health by regulating digestion and delivering a much-needed dose of nutrients. Not into lettuce? Most college cafeterias offer vegetarian options like garden burgers so you can get a fix of veggies and skip that greasy pizza.
2. Quit snacking.
It’s all too easy to grab something quick from a vending machine between classes, but all those Cheetos add up! Keep some fruit or trail mix on hand to curb your cravings instead.
3. Skip the soda.
When was the last time you drank the requisite eight glasses of water? You can’t even remember! All that sugar is not only a culprit in weight-gain, it can also leave you dehydrated (and cause cavities). So reach for some water instead. You abs (and your wallet) will thank you.
4. Keep a food journal.
Weight gain is caused not only by what you eat, but how much you eat, and chances are, you don’t have a clue about either. Once you start keeping track of your intake, you can tailor it to better suit your dietary needs. And since you’re probably stuck with a microwave and a mini-fridge in lieu of a real kitchen, keep a couple of frozen entrées from Lean Cuisine or Weight Watchers. They’ll help you with portion control and often contain the nutrients you need.
5. Avoid stress eating.
You may be tempted to turn to comfort food like chips or cookies in times of stress (midterms, finals, all the time…), but this is not a good habit to get into. Keeping healthier fare on hand and eating on a schedule can cut cravings and keep your blood sugar steady so you don’t go hog wild when you hit a lull.
6. Finally, find a workout buddy.
You’re not the only one fighting the battle of the bulge! Grab your roomie or start a running club to make working out more fun. You’re more likely to stick with the program if you set a date with a friend. Plus, going it alone is a good way to stagnate. A buddy will spur you to keep going when you get waylaid by the sunny spots (cat naps are not a recipe for rock-hard abs).
This guest article was written by Alexis Montgomery of Online Degrees.