The Freshman 15, not for ME! (15 Steps to Avoid 15 Pounds)

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Step 15. Not every meal should be a “fast-food” on-the-go meal. Packing your own meal usually is healthier (no junk food!) and often more cost effective.

Step 14. Portion your meals. It is easier said than done. Learning how to only cook for one and not eat the left-overs with the meal may seem to be a task. And as for the cafeteria portions…well we all can’t eat like football players. Listen to your gut, and if it says stop then stop.

Step 13. Watch your alcohol consumption (not that you will be drinking). Whether or not we want to admit it, alcohol can be high in calories. So when you order a beer make it a light beer.

Step 12. Walk to your classes. Yes I know it is cold outside during the winter, but you burn more calories in the cold and it is better for your health than sitting on a bus or in your car.

Step 11. Speaking of exercise do just that…Exercise! Most colleges have a workout facility provided to their students free of charge, and yes, you will have to walk there so make it part of the exercise. The most important thing to remember is to HAVE FUN!!!

Step 10. Remember the food pyramid. Start at the bottom and munch upward. Don't forget your fruits and vegetables! "An apple a day keeps the fat away.”

Step 9. Dance like you mean it! Wherever you may be dance your heart out. You will be able to let loose, burn calories, and maybe even get lucky!

Step 8. For those of you already “getting lucky” here’s a tip: be on TOP. Some studies have confirmed that you can actually burn anywhere from 150 to 350 calories in a half an hour session…So hey why not go twice?

Step 7. Try something new. Yeah we all know T.V. is wonderful, but get out of your box (aka dormroom) and see what the world has to offer.

Step 6. Get a mental sweat. At 150 pounds your body burns 122 calories per hour. So yes studying has more than one benefit!

Step 5. Do light cleaning twice a week. You known your room needs it, and at 130 pounds you will burn 148 calories per hour. How’s that for twice the benefit?

Step 4. Join an intramural sport. We all can’t be professional athletes, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try or at least look like fools trying.

Step 3. Stay away from soda. The average American consumes 2 cans of soda a day, that’s 414 calories! If you must drink soda switch to diet so you do not consume all of those nasty calories.

Step 2. Avoid boredom snacking. Yes, while we are studying, cleaning, watching T.V., or simply doing nothing we get bored. DO NOT give into temptation, you (and your hips) will thank yourself in the end.

Step 1. Avoid late night snacking. Everyone gets the late night munchies so if you must have a snack, make it a healthy one: go green, go fresh, go natural, or go home!