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It’s usually more like three to five pounds that first year, said Winona State University director of student health services Diane Palm. Those pounds can keep adding up every year though.
“You have to be deliberate about your choices,” Palm said. “You have to have a plan.”
Easier said than done, but with a few helpful tips, maintaining your weight during college can be a lot more manageable.
Saint Mary’s University student health director Angel Weisbrod says it’s important not to skip meals.
“Often, that can be one of the biggest issues students have,” Weisbrod said.
Even if you’ve just rolled out of bed and are running late for class, Weisbrod suggests eating something, even if it’s just an apple or some yogurt. A busy schedule can make regular meals harder to squeeze in so make sure you have snacks for between meals. A little cheese or peanut butter and crackers, fruit or nuts can help tide you over, Weisbrod said.
Palm advises to plan meals in accordance with your level of activity, meaning if you’re going to shoot some hoops later, make sure you’ve fueled up beforehand.
Palm says to be aware of alcohol and all the empty calories it offers.
“That can be a rude awakening for students,” Palm said.
Brady Whealon, 21, is a senior at WSU majoring in nursing. He now lives off campus but remembers the temptation offered at the school’s cafeteria. Sure, there were healthy offerings but those could be easy to pass up in favor of higher calorie temptations.
His advice: “Before you start taking food, look around at your options,” Whealon said. “Sometimes it can be a matter of a line being too long.”
Be sure to grab a variety of food groups, Weisbrod said, for optimal nutrition. And if you must have French fries, try splitting an order with a friend.
Bri Keddell, 20, says she lost about 10 pounds before coming to WSU just from being an active high school senior. Quickly, the pounds came back, thanks to a routine of drinking several soft drinks a day. Now, she’s kept the weight off by switching to bottled water, munching on trail mix and making exercise part of her routine.
“The more you put it off, the worse it gets,” Keddell said. “You have to have the power to say no.”
Kristen Elicerio, 20, is a WSU senior and recommends that fellow students pick an activity they enjoy to help burn some calories. For Elicerio, that means inline skating or often walking around the lake.
“Try to do things with friends outside of eating,” Elicerio suggests.
If you don’t know what activities are offered, check with your school. There are lots of intramural sports that you may enjoy — and may help burn some calories.
The students as well as Palm and Weisbrod agree that you shouldn’t get too hung up on the scale, as weight can fluctuate greatly in a short amount of time. Clothing and your energy level can be a better tool to measure your success.
It’s hard enough just finding where your classes are that freshman year so be sure to give yourself a break.
“You can’t be perfect from the start,” Elicerio said. “You’ll make mistakes.”
