Avoid the Freshman 15!
The Health & Wellness Center is pleased to offer 5 simple tips to help you avoid what many people call the "freshman 15" - 15 additional pounds students often gain when they transition to college life.
Whether you are a first year student or a senior, living in the residence hall or commuting to campus, or a member of Trinity's faculty and staff, the start of a new academic year is a great time to focus on healthy eating and exercise!
We want to keep it simple, so here are 5 easy-to-remember tips:
- Control your portions
Take a careful look at your plate, and be sure that your portions are not getting too big. In the Dining Hall, Trinity Café and Health & Wellness Center, there are posters to guide you on what a portion really looks like.
- Exercise every day
Aim for 30 minutes daily. Exercise can be as simple as a walk around campus or a swim in the Trinity Center for Women & Girls in Sports. Remember: All Trinity students have free access to the Trinity Center.
- Avoid simple sugars
This one's easy to remember: Stay away from soda, candy, cake, cookies.
- Five a day
You've seen the posters, now put it in action. Aim for 5 to 7 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
- Drink more water
Try to drink 64 ounces of water a day. That's just 4 bottles that are 16 ounces. You can do that!
Bonus tip: Limit fast food (including pizza) to just once a week. This is a hard one, we know!
Check out the tools on the right - you can calculate your BMI, look up calories and learn more about "portion distortion."
We're Here to Help!
Stop by the Health & Wellness Center - we have lots of great brochures (Junk Food Quiz, College Eating and Fitness 101, I Hate to Diet, and many more!)
Plan to visit the Health & Wellness Center for these special programs:
- Tuesday, September 19, 3 to 5 pm
Open House - with healthy and tasty treats!
- Tuesday, October 24
Health Promotion and Avoiding the Freshman 15
- Tuesday, November 7
Nutrition and Healthy Eating, Diabetes, Hypertension
Also: Mark your calendar for the Trinity Health Fair at the Trinity Center, Thursday, October 19!