Avoiding the Freshman Fifteen

[MissJenaKay]

Hello all, me again.

So, I've recently moved into a dorm room on my University campus. I'm in Chicago, hundreds of miles from home and I'm really hoping to avoid putting on the weight that I worked so hard to lose over the summer. Okay, first off, I'll tell you what kinds of foods that are available to me (I have to use a meal plan, so I have to eat on campus). There is chinese, mexican, pizza, burgers, pasta, salad, and 24 hour breakfast. Also, I can buy snacks and things like milk at an on campus, university run "grocery store". However, seeing as I only have access to a very limited kitchen, and a microwave (Actually, I still need to find the kitchen.) I'm not sure what to do as far as food. I'll also post my class schedule for you for this quarter as an effort to help you understand my times that I have. I'll also make sure to write about how long it takes to get to class

Mondays :: 9:40-11:10 AM Class (five minute walk)
1:00 - 3:00 PM Class (forty-five minute walk.train ride)

Tuesdays :: 2:40 - 4:10 PM (five minute walk)
6:00 - 8:45 PM (five minutes walk)

Wednesdays :: 9:40-11:10 AM Class (five minute walk)
1:00 - 3:00 PM Class (forty-five minute walk.train ride)

Thursdays :: 2:40 - 4:10 PM (five minute walk)
6:00 - 8:45 PM (five minutes walk)

Fridays :: No class

Saturdays :: No class

Sundays :: No class.

One last thing :: You have to remember that I need time for studying and homework.

Any suggestions. Also, I have access to a four floor VERY well set up and staffed gym as a part of my school. All suggestions are greatly appreciated. Also, if you're going to help me with a plan, please be specific about what things to do. I'm a complete newbie when it comes to gyms, so I don't know what to do...

[MissJenaKay]

It's been a very long time since I've been forced to eat at school, but I'm guessing there are a few healthy options if you hunt for them. Salads are always there...just watch the dressing and cheese and such. Also, if you make nice with the ladies who work there, I bet there's someone who would be willing to make things plain for you...plain fish or chicken, plain steamed veggies.

Chinese has tons of sodium, so be careful.

Pizza doesn't do any favors for anyone.

Burgers...I don't know...maybe without the bun? But that takes all the fun out of it.

24 hour breakfast should let you get eggs (make nice and ask for an eggwhite omelete?).

And there are almost always restaurants on campus that take the meal plan cards. That might expand your options.

For the dorm room cooking, most places allow a mini-fridge. I don't know if they allow these or not (fire hazard), but they make single-burner electric things that are just like a stove, only since it's a single-burner, you can only cook one thing at a time.

I have a microfridge (microwave, freezer, fridge combination) at the burger place, they have veggie burgers and a lot of the places have vegetarian and vegan options. However, we're not allowed to have any cooking appliances other than the microwave on the fridge we rent.

[MissJenaKay]

That stinks. That makes it really hard.

I think you'll be okay if you're thinking about the food. Try to avoid junk as much as possible. Don't drink every night (alcohol really packs on the pounds). Be as active as you can. Most folks gain weight because they can eat whatever they want, whenever they want, and they sleep longer and drink more...that's what I'm guessing, anyway, especially based on my own experiences. Our university up here also offers wellness programs designed at keeping off the freshman 15...so you might want to check out the rec center and see if they offer any similar programs?

Here's an article they offer: http://well.wvu.edu/articles/how_to_avoid_the_freshman_15

And here's info on the program: http://wvutoday.wvu.edu/n/2010/09/02/wvu-offers-program-to-help-students-avoid-the-dreaded-freshman-fifteen

Okay, first off. I don't drink. I'm underage and I'm straight edge. I'll see what I can do about programs that help to prevent weight gain.

Rice cooker (:

Can't have them in the dorms.

[MissJenaKay]

Okay, first off. I don't drink. I'm underage and I'm straight edge.

I didn't drink until I got to college. Just sayin'. But seriously, good for you. Your life will be much better for not drinking.

Thanks. :]

[Boss Man]

You'll be fine and congrats on the not drinking. I don't and never have done and frankly, when you can avoid health problems in later life, or even alcohol related death and save a lot of money too, you wonder why people start doing it in the first place.

Lunacy I tells ya

[MissJenaKay]

You'll be fine and congrats on the not drinking. I don't and never have done and frankly, when you can avoid health problems in later life, or even alcohol related death and save a lot of money too, you wonder why people start doing it in the first place.

Lunacy I tells ya

Yeah. I mean, having ONE drink every once in a while on a special occassion once you're of legal age is no problem at all.

I didn't gain any weight in college until Spring of my Sophomore year, when I tore my achilles tendon and couldn't walk properly for six months. I was casted and crutched for almost 3, and I lived on the second floor, and the sidewalks were tiled and it was rainy! I slipped all over trying just to walk to class, and getting up and down my slippery stairs was such a horrible experience I only left once a day. Once I was back in my apartment, I didn't leave. I didn't change my eating habits either so I packed on a few (: Fortunately they were gone when I could go outside to play again!

Well, being that I'm in Chicago, I do A LOT of walking around, far more than I did at home I believe. So, with any luck, I'll loose weight instead of gain. My only issue is that I never have time to or remember to eat anymore. My classes are at times of the day that you'd eat at and my breaks between aren't quite long enough to be able to go to the student center for food or anything like that. I guess I have to stock up on food in the mini fridge the night before so that I have something to eat. Still, gotta find the time.

[Papajohnsmenu]

Hi Jen,
I'm new to this forum and just wanted to chime in on the "freshman 15." I read your profile and you seem like a really sweet girl. There is absolutely no reason why you should be frustrated with your body at 17. I know there are tons of distractions around us these days, sometimes it can be really hard to prioritize our attention, but health and fitness should always be as close to #1 as you can make it. When we're young it can be easy to think our health is invincible, but as we age, all the things we put our body through in youth tends to catch up with us. I hope as you get older you can convert some of your enthusiasm for art, writing and technology into a passion for health and fitness. You will be truly amazed how being in really good shape makes you feel, even at your relatively young age. I used to be very unhealthy, having a terrible weakness for Papa John's pizza. But through watching my calories and exercise I am now able to stay reasonably fit and attractive.

Link Removed.

[MissJenaKay]

Hi Jen,
I'm new to this forum and just wanted to chime in on the "freshman 15." I read your profile and you seem like a really sweet girl. There is absolutely no reason why you should be frustrated with your body at 17. I know there are tons of distractions around us these days, sometimes it can be really hard to prioritize our attention, but health and fitness should always be as close to #1 as you can make it. When we're young it can be easy to think our health is invincible, but as we age, all the things we put our body through in youth tends to catch up with us. I hope as you get older you can convert some of your enthusiasm for art, writing and technology into a passion for health and fitness. You will be truly amazed how being in really good shape makes you feel, even at your relatively young age. I used to be very unhealthy, having a terrible weakness for Papa John's pizza. But through watching my calories and exercise I am now able to stay reasonably fit and attractive. I always "read labels" before I eat anything, and before I hit up Papa John's, I always hit up http://www.papajohnsmenu.org to check out the calories, grab a promo code and plan my attack. Keep your head up , kiddo, you're a very pretty girl and I wish you the best in your fitness endeavors...

Okay then.... A few things...
1) Yeah, I'm seventeen, but I'm allowed to be frustrated with and hate my body, it's MY body.
2) I work out almost everyday, I'm working on it, my passion will go where I want it to go.
3) I can imagine how great it would be, in many ways.
4) I hate pizza, so I'll never have to worry about looking up pizza and such.
5) I'm not pretty.

Sorry if I sound like a brat, but I'm not in a terribly good mood, and compliments put me in a foul mood.

[Boss Man]

I'll let this go for now, seeing as Jena responded, but don't promote Papa Johns again
Papa John or you will be banned.