Ladies, are those jeans feeling a little snug? Lately, has it been getting harder and harder to button those pants as well as sit comfortably in them?
If so, you may be a victim. So what is it that has made you a target? Well, if you don’t know, I’d better inform you now before the situation gets any worse.
It’s the “Freshman Fifteen,” but this villain has a more common name everyone is familiar with.
What I’m talking about is weight gain, and no matter when the pounds start to go on (summer, holidays) and no matter what clever name it is given, the bottom line is that it needs to come off and stay off.
There is an entire industry based on fitness and diet, and it’s impossible to not be aware of this because we are bombarded by its images everyday.
Turn on the TV in the middle of the night and you are sure to see a muscle-head with a ponytail in spandex selling his latest machine.
All day, we see commercials of gyms, and weight loss programs, and miracle drinks that can make you lose ten pounds in two days.
What is needed is some will power and dedication, which, when it comes to staying in shape and eating right, can quickly disappear here at college.
Drinking too many beers, eating too many slices of pizza at 2 a.m., an all you can eat cafeteria complete with soft-serve and the fact that at times you can be too busy and/or lazy to get the gym doesn’t help solve this problem.
Unless you are blessed with the metabolism of a supermodel, you need to start making some changes now in your eating and exercise habits.
Even if you haven’t really had any weight gain yet, it’s better to get started now, not only so you don’t become a victim of weight gain, but also because it is essential for your health.
Changing any of your habits can take some time and getting used to, but this won’t kill you; in fact, it’ll do the complete opposite.
There is no special dieting program that can make you instantly skinny, I’m not even offering a diet for that matter. These just don’t work because they are only temporary fixes based on eating in a way probably not natural to you. Once the diets are over, the weight goes back on.
So instead, you need to just start making better choices when it comes to eating and make these healthy choices long-term eating habits.
Eating a variety of foods in moderation will help aide your weight loss, but remember, don’t deprive yourself.
Eat when you are hungry, but pay attention to what your body tells you and know when you are full.
The second part of the attack against bulge-exercise. Exercise needs to become a part of your life, part of your routine.
Here at Fairfield, there are so many places and opportunities to get in your needed exercise.
Maybe all you need to do is take one aerobics class a week-you should aim for more, but as long as you see results do what you choose.
Maybe you’ve decided to walk 45 minutes on the track everyday, or maybe you decide to commit yourself to the gym for an hour four times a week for cardio and toning. Figure out what exercises work for you and do them.
Not only will becoming more physically active help you maintain your weight, but it will also boost your energy level, help you sleep better and relieve stress. All of these benefits are vital in order to deal with the hectic days of college.
Do yourself a favor, and don’t be a target. It may seem like a lot of work to change your eating and exercising habits, but the point is it can be done and it’s only for your own good.
So stop this “Freshman Fifteen” or whatever you want to call it, and start making some changes now. Your body will forever be grateful.
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