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How to Lose the Freshman 15
By April Dulsky - Updated 02.20.12

The freshman 15 may appear to be a cliche myth about gaining weight upon entering college, but it is a real obstacle many students face. It might not suddenly appear as a freshman or magically vanish as a senior. The extra weight gain can be caused by anything from added stress from exams, eating unhealthy, or spending too much time glued to the television or computer. The way to stop the pounds from appearing can be as simple as tweaking a few daily routines.

The first thing to do is make time. Look at your schedule and plan out parts of the day that are free to make a workout schedule. It might not seem like you have any free time, but if you really look you can find at least one or two free hours a day to dedicate to losing the weight. Don't forget to include time in your schedule for friends, sleep, and of course attending class!

The next step is to simply eat healthy. Stocking up the dorm mini refrigerator with fruits, veggies, and whole grain foods is an easy way to eliminate the junk food that seeps into dorm rooms across the area. Staying away from the snack machines by buying your own healthy snacks, will also save you money and trim your waistline. Skipping sugary energy drinks for water will actually help you feel more energized and alert during class, and prevent a crash halfway through too! A word of warning, alcohol can be another culprit in gaining extra weight, so if you still want to indulge once in awhile, Google the drinks nutritional facts before going out.

Working out is another important step in losing the weight. The college gym is a great resource for workouts in between classes. It's usually "free" (included in your tuition!) and located right on campus where walking is the easiest option to get there. Some campuses even offer inexpensive or free workout classes that range from samba to yoga which can relieve stress and shed the extra weight fast. Drag your roommate along with you to watch your favorite shows while using the treadmill or lifting weights.

If the school's gym is over capacity, there are other options that are very college friendly as well. Planet Fitness offers a deal that ends February 29, 2012 where people can join for $29 and pay just $10 a month to sweat off the extra pounds. Odyssey Fitness offers a deal if you join in the month of February, you get February for free and 75% off enrollment. There are many more gyms that have similar promotions each month and to find them simply visit www.wbsnightout.com.

Working out does not have to be in the gym. Students can lose the weight by just going to class instead of skipping and sleeping in. Parking farther away from campus and jogging or walking to class is a great way to drop the pounds even before class begins. Plus if you arrive before the bell rings, you can skip the elevator and take the stairs to get a brisk workout and still be on time.

The next step is to stay active. Instead of playing video games or Skyping with your friends down the hall, play a game of basketball in the gym or go dancing. Staying active will not only help keep off the pounds, but also keep your mind off approaching midterms you need to study for.

The final step is to repeat. Keeping up a healthy routine is the most important step for losing the freshman 15. Use a planner or dry erase board in your dorm room to keep a reminder at hand about what needs to be done in order to stay on track. In no time, the pounds will come off just in time for spring break and summer vacation!