9 Ways to Beat the Freshman 15
Since it is the holidays and we are all prone to staying in watching movies, making cookies, cutting out snowflakes and of course studying for finals, I thought it would be appropriate to add a few tips on how to not gain the Freshman 15… even if your not a Freshman.
1. Take the stairs. Most all of the buildings here at Lewis have stairs, but many of them also have an elevator too. If you take the stairs versus the elevator, you add a little more excercise to you day and you can burn some of the calories you got from the cookies!
2. Choose water at meals. Water is obviosly better than pop, but it is also better than the sugary juices. At Lewis, if you get water at the fountain, they do not charge you, where as pop, tea, lemonade, or any bottled drink is charged.
3. Walk to class (and other events). Not that students can really drive to class on the Lewis campus, some people do drive to a closer parking lot when they go to dinner or a game at the Rec. Center. If you’re not into always walking, many students bring skateboards and bikes and ride them to class. There are bike racks for bikes in front of the library and by some of the dorms. When it’s cold, you will also walk faster, burning more calories and keeping a bit warmer too!
4. Going off of number 3, take walks! Yes, during the winter months, it is cold, but walking is really good for you, especially after you eat. The campus is very safe and well lit. I feel totally comfortable walking by myself at night and during the day. It will help you relax and gives you a good excuse for a break from studying. Not to mention, during the Christmas season, the campus is decorated beautifully!
5. Don’t stress. I know that not stressing is a lot easier to say than actually do, but a lot of the time, stressing makes us want to eat more and then we gain weight while worrying about everything else. Of course sometimes it works the opposite way, but that is not really healthy either. Make sure to take deep breaths and be conscious of what you are consuming.
6. Going off of 5, eat healthy. Charlie’s Place and The Courtyard Cafe both offer salads. The Courtyard has many varities of salads, plus a ‘make your own’ salad option. Charlie’s has a salad bar. Both options are very good.
7. Make use of the Rec. Center. Any Lewis student is allowed to use any part of the Rec. Center. You just need to show you student identification beforehand. There is a wieght room where you can run on treadmills, bike, lift weights, and do abdominal workouts. The field house is also open to students when practice is not occuring. The pool is also open for students during free swim times. The Rec. Center is always kept very clean and nice to use.
8. Related to number 8, get involved with the excercise programs affiliated with the Rec. Center. There are a step, yoga, pilates, kickboxing, and spinning classes. They are offered at different times to accomodate different schedules.
9. If you are a commuter, park in the far parking lots from your classes. This will allow you to walk further to and from your car and in turn, burn more calories. As a side note, the further parking lots are less hetic for parking.
Hopefully these few tips will help you stay healthy not only during the holidays or freshman year but throughout your college career. Lewis offers many ways to help avoid the Freshman 15, and I personally have use many of these tips and resources myself to help keep me on track. Hope everyone has a great finals week and begining of their winter break.
Categories: Janet Zack
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