The Freshman 15 or College 60?

By Merlyn Mathew

Now that the school year has officially started and it has been a few weeks in, the first-year students are now used to the food on and off campus. Regardless of which school you attend, you have heard of the daunting Freshman 15, those formidable fifteen pounds freshmen fear of gaining during their first semester of college.

Yes, I would have to say that really does exist. Not necessarily exactly fifteen pounds, but a little less or even maybe a little more for others. Those pounds might not appear right away for most people during that semester but there is a definite weight gain during the year.  My first year at Rosemont yielded eleven courses, forty credits, and gain of about six pounds. Six pounds may not sound as much, but a normal academic year for me in high school usually meant weight loss (of about five pounds).

It’s bound to happen- students will end up looking at themselves in the mirror or notice that they may need to work out and that they can’t rely on that incredible metabolism they thought they had. How does it happen? Sometimes for resident students, the change in environment from eating mom’s homemade food to the food served at Cardinal and the Grille or eating out and experimenting with friends could be a reason.

 Weight gain can be a healthy thing of course, it’s always said that a well-fed individual is able to study more and perform well on tests. However, it’s when the pounds keep pounding on that causes a problem, something that snowballs into a major weight gain by the time you graduate from college. College 60, anyone?

Since the summer and the beginning of the school year, I managed to be back at my usual weight again, but I do realize that it is okay to gain a couple of pounds and sometimes it may have even suited my face or body frame better. However, I knew that in order to maintain a healthy weight and to make sure I was living an active lifestyle, I had to keep up with workouts at the gym.

Rosemont College offers a gym filled with equipment and machines that could satisfy whatever fitness goal you plan for yourself. But if you cannot make it to the gym (hopefully the excuse that Heffernan is too far away doesn’t exist anymore) because of classes or gym hours, you can always work out in your room or the lobby. A workout session of at least 30 minutes a day is ideal. Try jogging around campus in the early morning hours. Villanova University also allows Rosemont students with Villanova IDs to access its gym. Villanova also offers special classes such as Boot Camp and Pilates on certain nights and the pool is open as well. If you’re jogging around campus or the nearby neighbors, bring a friend with you just in case you get lost.

Unlike high school or other schools, you are not required to take a physical education class at Rosemont, so it becomes your challenge to allow for time for exercise. If you schedule a few days including time for homework, classes, and clubs, there should at least be 30 minutes a week that you could go to the gym for!

As for those light night snacks or meals you’ve been eating- scratch it. Unless you haven’t eaten all afternoon eat your dinner. But if you have a light snack beforehand, you will not be inclined to eat such a heavy dinner. A large, nutritious breakfast will similarly ensure that you will not overeat for lunch.

With all of this in mind, it is up to you to have the willpower to stay in shape. Good luck!

Beating the Myth:

1. Sure, it’s nice to “taste test” the delicious, fried foods offered by the dining halls. But don’t plan on indulging it all the time. Vary your selection.
2. Salads never killed anyone (not at least that I know of!) If your regular salad gets boring, mix it up add a different dressing or more or less vegetables.
3. Soda and alcoholic beverages really do add calories. Best thing to gulp down? Water. Lots and lots of it.
4. Jog, walk, run around campus, or try the gym! Listen to music if it helps too.
5. Keep your self reasonably busy with school, clubs, and friends. The more active and occupied you are, the happier you will be!