As you get older, you might be noticing you can't eat that extra piece of pizza or a second brownie without loosening that belt of yours. Your body is changing and your metabolism might not be as high as it was in junior high. If you want to keep those extra pounds off, you are going to want to start incorporating a workout routine during the week.
The "freshman 15" is a big fear for many entering college. It is said that college freshman gain an average of 15 pounds within their first year of school. There are many reasons why freshman tend to gain weight:
- Stress
- Not as active as in high school
- Eating late at night
- Eating more take-out food
- Depression
There are many ways, especially on a college campus, you can be active and stay fit. Try taking a course offered at your recreation center such as racquetball or swimming. Maybe a grade is the type of motivation you need to stay in shape. If you are taking too many credit hours, many rec centers offer classes in the evening for free. There are ab classes, spinning, yoga and kickboxing classes.
Rec centers also have many resources such as weight lifting equipment, climbing walls, swimming pools, an indoor track and cardio equipment. If you need guidance or help getting a routine and using proper form, many colleges offer personal trainers.
If you like some competition, get involved with intramurals on campus. Try getting a group of friends together and make a team for volleyball, basketball or water polo. The competition might make it more fun and rewarding than just taking a class.
Taking classes, joining teams or getting others in your dorm to throw a Frisbee with you outside are great ways to stay active and meet new people. Instead of hanging out in your dorm room playing video games, play some three-on-three outside on the basketball courts.
Becoming more active will not only help you physically, but it will help you in school as well. That time working out and getting your muscles moving can help relieve that stress from class and give you more energy in the end.
Other ways to burn calories is walk to class instead of taking the bus. Take the stairs to the third or fourth floor instead of the elevator. You might also want to forget eating at the all-you-can eat buffet on campus. It's worth the money, but it's too tempting to overload your plate.
If you are concerned with your diet and do not know what you should be eating, many campuses have dietitians there for you. Check out your school's Web site or recreation center and schedule an appointment with your campus dietitian.
If you're still in high school, try taking a course such as exercise and conditioning or physical education. If you already took the course when you were a freshman or sophomore, you can take it again if it fits into your schedule.
If your schedule is too full, get a group of friends to meet with you before or after school and play some basketball, volleyball or tennis. Sometimes teachers like to play basketball in the morning before school starts. See if they wouldn't mind having some of their students challenge them to a game.
