Worried about the Freshman 15?
Ah, the notorious freshman 15. We’ve all heard of it, and some of us may have even experienced it. According to human psychology, the freshman 15 can be explained in the sense that humans tend to eat more when given more food options, are placed in a social setting, and are generally happier. However, the opposite is also well-founded, wherein some people eat more food and choose less healthy foods when under psychological stress, which is a common occurrence as freshmen adapt to college life. Other people don’t eat enough food when under stress. Either way, most of us will probably experience some kind of weight fluctuation in college. For those of us who are conscientious about these changes, how can we combat this?
For one, the food we choose to eat is especially important for our overall health. If you’re looking to change your diet for the better, Vanderbilt offers an array of healthy options. My personal favorites are Rand bowls, Leaf salads, and basically anything from Grins Vegetarian Restaurant. If you’ve joined the calorie and macros-tracking bandwagon, Vanderbilt even has a campus nutrition app for that! Eating healthy can be tough in college when candy bars are plentiful and within close reach at Munchie marts and those Rand cookies seem to always be calling your name. However, as long as you consciously think about your dietary choices and are dedicated to improving your health, Vanderbilt dining is accommodating of all your needs.
Secondly, exercise, exercise, exercise! Exercise is extremely important for everyone, even those who are comfortable with how they look. Life at Vanderbilt can get a little stressful sometimes, but I promise you will feel infinitely better after a great workout. Vanderbilt’s recreation center has something for everyone. If you want to try something new or need an environment that pushes you, I would recommend the group classes held there throughout the week.
The freshman 15 is nothing to worry about here at Vanderbilt, where many students are active and health-conscious. Ultimately, if you take mindful measures to combat weight change, you will be just fine. And if not, many of us are right here with you.