Week of
9/7/2015
The Freshman 15: Myth or Fact?
You’ve heard about it: the dreaded weight gain that happens during your first year of college. Is
it really true? Is it inevitable? In reality, the “Freshman 15” is much more myth than fact. Studies
show that if freshman do gain weight, it is generally between 4-10 pounds – not the 15 pounds
that is commonly believed. So how does this weight gain happen in the first place?
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Skipping breakfast
Decreased physical activity
Overdoing the all-you-can-eat dining / oversized portions
Stress-triggered eating
Late night unhealthy meals/snacks
Social drinking
Too many high calories beverages
Too little sleep
How can we prevent falling into these unhealthy habits?
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Eat breakfast everyday – this kick starts the metabolism and wakes up your body and mind.
This also helps avoiding overeating later in the day
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Be choosey in the dining hall – take a walk around the dining hall to see the options before
filling your plate. This helps to avoid less than ideal choices
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Skip the sugary drinks and stick with water and other calorie-free beverages
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Stock your dorm room with healthy snacks so you have some good options when you get
hungry
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Get more active and advantage of the University Fitness Center – try a new exercise class
with a friend or take a stroll around campus
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Learn more about healthy eating - Reach out to the Registered Dietitian on campus, Amy
Connell, at [email protected] if you have any questions
Source: WebMD.com
@StJohnsSportsRD
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