Avoiding the Freshman Fifteen

Listen up, kids. Class is in session!

While college is an introduction for many to a slew of new concepts - parties, alcohol, and doing your own laundry - it can also be an introduction to a whole new lesson.

A lesson known as "The Freshman Fifteen."

When your lifestyle turns into that of Jim Belushi in "Animal House," it's hard not to envision yourself packing away an extra fifteen around the mid section. Indeed, staying slim and trim in college is a test of inner strength and willpower.

So, to prevent yourself from flunking this lesson, young college student, just remember to incorporate three constants into your life:

1) Eat as well as you can. By this, we mean, make a conscious effort to cut out the nasty fats and late-night carbs that may be stunting your healthy intentions. You still need your carbohydrates so make sure you get them into your system, but try to consume them earlier in the day. Maybe have a bagel or two for breakfast, coupled with some egg whites for protein.

My college cafeteria offered hard-boiled eggs at breakfast time so it was easy to load up on them.

Lunch and dinner can also be molded into a health-conscious experience, especially if your caf has a nice salad bar like mine did. You can never eat too much salad, as long as you're refraining from the bacon bits, cheese, and croutons. Substitute dressings for tasty vinegar (it's fat free). As for the main spread, try to avoid fried foods, foods packed with cheese, grease, or oils. For instance, always take the baked fish or chicken over the fried versions. While you're probably overloaded with classes as it is, become schooled in another area: healthy eating.

Train yourself to eat for nourishment, not for taste. Therefore, avoid butter, mayonnaise, and other fattening spreads. Try to coax Mom into sending you some fruit.

Snacking on fruit and other healthy foods throughout the day is a good thing. It keeps your metabolism running and satisfies your hunger enough so that you're not overdoing it once you get into the cafeteria.

And although it's tempting, try to avoid those late-night pizza runs - or at least keep them in moderation. If it's occurring on a nightly basis, you're unlikely to keep the weight off.

2) Find a way to work cardiovascular activity into your day. If it's too cold outside to put in the road work, you must find an alternative means. Of course, the ideal scenario would be to get 30-40 minutes per day, 3-4 days per week, if this can be managed. If your college has a workout facility, that's great. Your cardio work can be done on a treadmill or an exercise bike. If there is a local public gym in the area, that is certainly another option, as long as the membership fee is affordable.

If these are not options, there MUST be a gymnasium at your school. I used to jog laps around the perimeter of the basketball court to get my miles in on the really cold days. And also, there are enough workout videos on the market for you to turn your dorm room into an aerobics studio, if you have to.

Remember this: Where there is a will, there is a way, and you'll need the will to work out to find such means. The options are out there!

3) Drink water, water, and more water.

You can never drink too much. Water is imperative for college students trying to stay healthy. Not only does it hydrate your body after those wild beer-guzzling parties, but water is also a significant tool to your weight-loss intentions. Water flushes the unwanted elements out of your system while giving you the feeling of being "full." Thus, it can limit your binge desires immensely.