One of the most overemphasized changes you might encounter as you enter college – or might still be encountering in your second, third or fourth year of it – is the dreaded “freshman 15.” This term refers to the 15 pounds you may gain upon beginning college due to unhealthy eating habits, a lack of exercise and a general increase in stress levels. What people often fail to take into account, however, is that these same circumstances can often lead to losing weight as opposed to gaining it – which can be just as upsetting – and the importance of remaining body positive in the face of disorienting change.
Whether you’re a commuter student still living at home or you live in a residence hall hours away from where you grew up, you’re probably spending a majority of your time on campus in class or studying. As a result, you’ll probably want to partake in the food offerings on campus, which, though fine in moderation, will catch up to you if you eat them every day. Factor in the likelihood of finding free food at different events on campus and conveniently placed vending machines, it’s no wonder our weight fluctuates.
Your mental health matters, too.
While it is vital to maintain your physical health, your mental health is just as important. Beating yourself up about a few extra pounds won’t help you lose them any faster, and worrying about losing weight will stress you out further, which could cause even more weight loss. Instead of fixating on the number on the scale, concentrate on your assimilation into college life.
You don’t need to compare yourself.
Avoid comparing yourself to others, whether they’re your classmates, people you follow on social media, or that fit stranger you envy at the gym. Life is about constantly working on yourself and improving where you can. By comparing yourself to others, you’ll always find someone that is better than you are at something, and you will never be satisfied with yourself. Your mental health and self-esteem will suffer as a result. As long as you work to be a better version of yourself, however, you’ll see progress you can truly be proud of.
As you find your personal rhythm that gets you through your college years, and work to reduce stress in your life, your physical health will fall into place. For some, this takes longer than it does for others. No matter how long you’ve been struggling with the infamous freshman 15, though, you should love yourself, flaws and all. College is about learning about yourself and what you want for your future; I promise that once you leave it, the number that used to appear on your scale won’t even cross your mind.
