In a few weeks, an unsuspecting freshman class will be starting at colleges and universities. One certainty is that, during the first semester, this freshman class will gain weight. Despite what the campus food services say, it is almost impossible not to gain pounds (or kilograms) during the initial few months. And some of the freshman, as well as returning students, may find this simply depressing.
There are factors that just conspire against the student. The university atmosphere is stressful. In the first weeks, there is heavy spending with expensive books to buy, new people to meet and classes to find on campus. And in just a few short weeks, there will be paper assignments and midterm tests. Anxiety and pressure are just part of the educational experience.
Many students will find relief from the anxiety by eating. There are food outlets, big and small, all over the campus. And students are never far from a vending machine. In addition, the student food services cook in volume. For example, a food service may prepare food daily for thousands in a university center setting or a campus residence hall. This mass produced food may be high in salt content and high in carbohydrates. It is only with extreme care that it is possible to pick out the healthy meals. However, on a student schedule, most of the dinners want to food to be available and to be digestible. There are more pressing matters at hand.
This type of scenario almost guarantees weight gain and the subsequent impact on self esteem. – It may seem like a cliché suggestion but exercise. Most educational institutions have excellent athletic facilities. Access to these athletic venues is available to all students. It may be included in the student fees. Using the athletic facilities is a way of managing the stress (and it will be stressful). It is also a means of controlling weight. Along with the mass produced food, there is an imposed sedentary life style. Students are sitting in class, sitting in the library and generally limiting physical activity.
Plan on regular exercise. See it as training to manage campus life. Without a regular exercise routine, plan on adding to your wardrobe by Christmas break. The waist line of those pants have become too tight.
Catherine Forsythe