Freshman 15

So, it's my first year of college.  I'm making friends, figuring out classes and stuff, but something that's always on my mind is the dreaded freshman 15. i do NOT want this to happen.  It's always kind of in the back of my mind, but mostly at the wrong times, such as after I just got done feasting my face off.  I've always been in sports and I work out all the time.  I'm not saying I'm fat or whatever, but I don't want to gain unwanted excess weight.  My main problem is eating.  I eat a ton.  Two hours go by after a full meal, and I'm searching for a snack again. Part of that problem is unlimited meal plan access.  If it's there, I'm gettin it.

I guess I just want some feedback about balancing out my meals and exercising.  What foods helped out a lot for keeping you full?  I know foods like nuts and beans are good for that, but if there's like little recipes or foods that you always had that worked for you to keep you full throughout the day?  Also, if there's any exercises that helped shrink the love handles or that annoying little pouch right under your belly button?  Those are kind of unpleasant. 

Thanks!

I am a freshman in college too, and I am the same way. The last thing i want to do is gain like some of my friends already have.  Do you have any store on campus so you can use your meal plan somewhere else besides the "all you can eat" place? If not, a really good idea is peanut butter. Don't go overboard, but Peanut butter and honey with bananas on 1 piece of wheat bread is a good idea. When you're there, stay away from the grill. Your always looking at tons of oil. If you avoid it all together, its easier to go without. Don't fall into the "oh ill just have a bite" trap. 

Breakfast wise, have some in your dorm! some high fiber cereal, Fiber One and Kashi Go Lean are both safe bets. Get skim milk or light soy. This way your not tempted by muffins, etc. in the Cafe. Another fav of mine is sugar free instant oatmeal. But be sure to get some with the lowest amount of sugar possible.

Lunch and Dinner, just be careful. Safe bets in the Cafe-

-the PB&H and Banana (remember just 1 slice bread toasted)

- salad, as long as you put the right dressing on. Stay away from white. This means creamy. Try basics, balsamic vinegerette is ok, just use a little. 

- soups, but once again, nothing white. Usually stay away from thick too. 

I know you mentioned nuts, I love organic trail mix from WinCo for a pick me up, just dont go overboard. About 1/4 cup.

So workout wise, I dont know if you have a rec center on campus? If you really want to lose weight, I'd encourage you to work out Monday through Saturday. If your like me, you would work out on your own, but not very hard. I take classes instead at the YMCA that is right down the street from me. I take Cardio Kickboxing class 2 days a week, and it is intense. I take a Body Pump class the other 3 days of the week to tone up and burn more calories when im resting. If you are only training in aerobic exercices, I'd encourage you to take some group lift classes. A lift class coupled with cardio will get rid of your extra weight in your stomach.

I'm just like you, I would never be considered 'fat' or 'chubby' but i would like to see myself more toned. 

I have always been very into Nutrition, and have taken classes on it before. We should stay in touch, I dont see a lot of freshmen very interested in Health haha.

Hope some of this helped!

What you said about always wanting to eat... wow can i relate. Sometimes i look at giant plates of cookies and just think... wow i could eat that whole thing.

About the whole Latte situation: DONT give them up! Just be smart about them! A good idea is researching what your getting before hand. For example, I have a Starbucks SKINNY latte. A tall skinny (sugar-free and nonfat) flavored latte is only 90 calories. Iced- only 70.

Happy Medium ;) 

oh man thank you so much guys!!! i'm in nutrition too, and it's really helpful actually, i get a bunch more ideas for healthy eating!! the day before and day of halloween i ate sooo good! and i worked out so much! it showed really well for the costume too, so that was good.  the whole thing wasn't really all for halloween though, i really wanted to prove to myself that i could lose the weight if i had enough motivation.  and i did! yay!! thanksgiving is going to be brutal.  i think i'm just going to give in on this wonderful holiday of food and then spend the next week burning and getting back into shape.  haha. but this is really great! we should for sure stay in touch, i guess i didn't realize that there were more college girls that had my same deal going on!! 

I was and still am the exact same as you I'm active but LOVE to eat, and that was my fear going into my freshman year as well. As far as eating goes, if you have a cafeteria that is open all day with unlimited access as many times and as much food as you wanted as i did, really make sure you stick to the three meals a day it can be tempting when you walk by the cafeteria and just want to grab a mid morning snack of those mouth-watering tater tots or onion rings, (I know this very well!!) but you must resist! Also I know its hard to keep really health food in those mini dorm refridgerators but just don't fall into the habit of stocking up on spaghettio's and ramen and pizza rolls because it's cheap and easy when your starving after a long day of class. Make sure you always have staple such as bread, peanut butter, some fruit, rice cakes, carrots, a bag of lettuce, light salad dressing, granola bars, quaker oatmeal, egg beaters, sugar-free pudding, tuna packets and sting cheese on hand. All of these foods are so quick, filling, fairly cheap, healthy, all take no cooking or under 3 min in the microwave and for the most part minimally processed. I started eating these foods freshman year and they are still my go to foods for every shopping trip!

Lastly, I would say much of the weight gain can be atrributed to drinking (although you are probably underage and would never drink illegally and can ignore this if need be ). Light beer and 1.5 oz of hard alcohol has the same amount of calories so don't be fooled that the only way your going to gain weight is from beer. For this reason make sure you always mix and chase drinks with diet sodas or calorie free mixers because you can easily have twice as many calories by drinking a rum and reg coke than you would by drinking a light beer!

Hope this helps & good luck!! :)