No one wants to gain weight. In today’s society we are psychologically programmed as young children to know that fit is in and fat is out. Especially considering all the recently published articles that name obesity as the fastest-growing disease in America.
All freshmen remember hearing horror stories from friends and relatives telling us to beware of the dreaded “Freshmen 15,” the evil monster that causes all unsuspecting freshmen to mysteriously gain 15 pounds within their first semester. And to all those coming from a home where mom cooked dinner every night, your dietary familiarities will be in for a small shock. But fortunately for us, there are ways to make sure you do not gain all that weight by slightly changing your diet.
Around campus there are plenty of opportunities to eat healthily, one of which is the newly renovated Umphrey Lee Building opening up this fall. It offers diners many healthy choices by allowing them to choose their own meals and watch them being prepared. And, of course, there is Mac’s Place, located in the McElvaney Residence Hall.
If your taste buds lead you off campus, there are many places to eat along Hillcrest and Mockingbird, the two major streets surrounding the campus, if Umphrey Lee doesn’t have enough choices for you.
You definitely shouldn’t stop eating all the foods you really like. But try trading them in for fruits and salads with lots of leafy greens every once in awhile–your body will thank you for it. And when it comes to food, size does matter. Eat what you like at your meals, but don’t eat large portions. The rule of thumb is do not eat a portion larger then what you could hold in your hand. This is generally known as a serving size.
Also, eating five to six smaller meals a day is better for your metabolism than three large meals, as they are easier for your body to digest and keep your body running at full speed all day without overloading your system. Never skip breakfast. Even if all you have is a snack bar in your room, it is better to eat that than to skip the meal altogether. Eating breakfast kicks your metabolism into gear for the day. You will feel better and not become so easily fatigued or frustrated.
Water is your friend. Carry it around with you all day, buy bottles in bulk at your nearest grocery store and keep it in stock in your room. Your body will thank you for it. Water metabolizes fat, so drinking at least eight glasses a day will help fat melt away.
Lastly, there’s alcohol. Nothing will make you gain weight faster than drinking–not from the actual alcohol, but from what it does to the body. While your body burns up the alcohol fat in your blood, alcohol suppresses the ability of your body to break up other fats, carbohydrates and proteins, so your body has no choice but to store them, helping you to pack on the pounds. So make sure to drink one glass of water for each alcoholic beverage you consume to help keep the pounds off.
Also on campus we have amazing athletic facilities over at the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports, which all SMU students can use for free 6 a.m.-midnight Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m.-10 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m.-midnight on Sundays.
But this first semester time may be limited. As you get used to class schedules, studying and balancing some semblance of a normal social life, there are other simpler ways to watch yourself. Take the stairs in your residence hall instead of using an elevator; it will take 30 more seconds but burn more calories than you would have burned standing in the elevator. For those of you who brought a car with you, when you go to a store don’t search for the easiest or closest parking space; park towards the back and walk a little farther.
Of course it is easier to keep weight off if you have muscle mass, since muscle weighs more than fat, and therefore burns more calories. The Dedman Center has a plethora of free weights as well as weight machines to help build solid, fat-burning muscle.
And PLEASE don’t forget to feed your body. Without adequate food in your body, it will not be able to function on all cylinders. It is dangerous for your health to not eat.
In addition to working out regularly, drinking lots of water and eating healthy foods, you need to get adequate sleep, at least eight hours a night. It’s difficult living in the dorms because there is so much to do and so much noise, but your skin and waistline will thank you after a good night’s rest. Just a warning: alcohol inhibits your body’s ability to go into REM sleep, which is the deep sleep your body needs. So no matter how many hours of sleep you get after drinking, it doesn’t actually help your body.
Be smart, watch what you eat and don’t forget to rest and excerise and the “Freshman 15” demon will not be knocking on your door.
Rachel Carey is a first-year journalism major. Readers can reach her at [email protected].