15 Easy Ways To Avoid The Dreaded Freshman 15

As we age, we gain weight. However, that freshman 15 gained our first semester of college is NOT a natural weight gain. Here are some tips to avoid the weight gain freshman year!

Have you heard horror stories about moving to Uni and piling on the dreaded Freshman 15? Or have you noticed your diet has already slipped since starting to study? It’s never too late to make a change. Try these 15 easy ways to avoid the dreaded Freshman 15. They are simple, fun and will save you some cash (as well as your waistline).

1. Drink water before, during and after a heavy night out.

In fact, drink as much water as possible all day every day. Staying hydrated is the easiest way to regulate your metabolism, keep energised, look and feel fresh as a daisy. It’s also free. If you don’t love water, drink no-added sugar fruity squash or fizzy flavoured water. Avoid reaching for coke, caffeinated energy drink or iced tea at all costs. Especially when your hungover body is craving the sweet nectar inside the calorific cans.

2. Limit post night out takeout orders.

Those cheesy garlic mayo chips from Mr kebab van that seemed like the best thing in the entire world at 3 am? Not ideal when you wake up full of food the next morning, still craving a bacon butty.

3. Instead stock your fridge with heaps of healthy fruits, veggies and tinned goods.

Hero items such as carrots, bananas, apples, beans and potatoes are cheap, easy to cook, have a long shelf life and can be bought in bulk.

And make savvy switches. Craving a greasy plate of battered fish and fat cut chips? Go for some homemade skin-on potato wedges with grilled fish fingers or fresh white fish fried in a light egg and breadcrumb batter.

4. Don’t forget your best pal, protein.

It’s always the priciest item on our shopping list. So, go for canned tuna, free-range eggs and frozen bags of chicken and white fish fillets. These won’t break the bank and eating meals made with them keep you feeling fuller for longer.

5. Join the gym. University-subsidised gyms are usually cheaper than local leisure centers.

If not, look out for competitive new member offers from Pure Gym or Fit4Less. Sales reps will probably be lurking at your Fresher’s fair to badger you.

6. Not a fan of the gym? Join a sports team or society.

This is the perfect way to avoid the dreaded Freshman 15 while having fun, staying active and meeting new faces. Scheduled practices and meet ups will mean you leave your flat and get moving on days you didn’t even feel like surfacing.

7. Make your own healthy dips and spreads.

A can of chickpeas costs 50p or less in most high street supermarkets and can be mashed up with lemon, tahini, garlic, salt and a dash of olive oil to create a beautiful hummus that will last days. Blitzing up a bowl of tzatziki or a nut butter to enjoy is a simple way to stay on track. Snack on these homemade alternatives with seedy whole meal bread, pitta or veggie sticks while completing coursework to avoid devouring an entire packet of Oreos or bar of Cadbury’s on an all-nighter.

8. That said – number nine is to regularly get more than 40 winks in.

Shut eye plays a major part in weight-gain. So, a very easy way to avoid the dreaded Freshman 15 is to bunker down and sleep.

9. Whizz up hearty soups and big dishes, such as curries, chilies or a veg-filled lasagna.

Stash these in your freezer for easy go-to meals, which will stop you phoning Dominos.

10. Prep meals one day a week alone, with flat mates or friends you meet on your course to motivate you.

Swap meals in freezable containers between you for a fun way to avoid the dreaded Freshman 15 together.

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11. Dine in with foodie friends too.

You’re less likely to Netflix and solo binge eat a box of chocs if you spend your evening cooking a nourishing meal, eating and chilling with a bunch of buds.

12. Walk everywhere.

To say that campuses are ‘not small’ is an understatement. Takes the steps up to the library or walk home from lectures. You’ll feel better on it.

13. Keep your room and flat in check.

Cleaning and tidying burns substantial calories, and a dirty kitchen and lack of usable utensils is often the reason students find themselves forking Chinese noodles out of a pot and piling on the Freshman 15.

14. Know what’s hiding in your booze.

Unfortunately, it’s mostly metabolism-slowing sugars and starches. Life isn’t fair. But, as a student, you get to BYOB (bring your own booze) along to pre’s. This means you chose exactly what you’re mixing and necking. A clear spirit, e.g. gin or vodka, lime and soda water is a sip-able low-cal option.

15. Dance the night away.

Counter the empty calories in your cup by pulling some serious shapes in the club. This final tip is the best way to stay looking trim and beat the dreaded Freshman 15!