Freshman Fifteen...Yeah, Right! Tips for Staying Fit

*College campuses are some of the easiest places to be lazy and unhealthy.* Student groups offer pizza as a way to lure you to their meetings and ice cream socials are, apparently, the best way for you to get to know your floor mates. As stressful as those first few months of college are, they will become even more stressful if you find that you no longer feel comfortable in your own body. That is why it's important to recognize all of the opportunities that college campuses offer for those trying to pursue a healthy lifestyle.
Now that you are away from the food dictatorship of your mother's pantry and your high school's limited cafeteria, it's time to develop those healthy practices. Here are some habits that you can start forming in a college atmosphere abounding with healthy options. Even for the athletically challenged, college is a place where healthy is on the menu.

*Tips for staying happy and fit:*

*1. Choose to walk whenever possible*. Avoid taking the shuttle or a ride from your friend, if you have extra time on your hands. Most places that the shuttles take you to are within walking distance anyway. Take advantage of the opportunity to catch up on some much needed time away from your roommate, or get to know a new friend better if they are heading in the same direction.

*2. Make the eating system work for you*. If you get meal points, take an apple with you when you leave the cafeteria so that you can have a healthy snack between meals and not arrive at your next meal starving. If your schedule allows for it, it is preferable to eat smaller, healthy meals throughout the day. It keeps you from binging at your next meal and making a rash, unhealthy snack choice. It also keeps your metabolism going all day long. If you can't manage to sit down for multiple meals, a quick piece of fruit or a handful of healthy cereal is a great mid-meal snack. Believe it or not, if used properly, snacking is a healthy move on your part.

*3. Take advantage of the amazing gym on your campus designed for that D2 football team you may or may not know you have*. You don't have to be on the team or even go to the games to get a membership and workout at your school's facilities. They are there for you to enjoy as well. Do not be too shy to walk into the weight room and pick up eight pound weights. Own it. I like to have my disc-man on me, music blaring, while I go into the weight room. This reminds me that I am there for myself and not to prove anything to anyone.

*4. Participate in Intramurals* Intramurals are a great activity for people who like to play sports but either don't have the time to be on a full-time team or would like to play less competitively*. You can copy elaborate plays from the NFL or even have the Statue of Liberty play include flashing your opponents. Just get out there, get your heart rate up, and feel good about yourself. You can take the games as seriously as you want; the fun and the exercise is the same. Not to mention, it is a great way to meet new people.

*5. Try Jogging*. As a person on the shier side, I found a great love in college. His name is Jogging, and it's true love. Jogging and I took it slow at first. The seduction was adorned with mutual longing, but mutual fear as well. Coming from a long line of dysfunctional knees, I was wary of falling too deeply for Jogging. So, I did a mile at first, admittedly walking part of it. Then, as we got more serious, I invested in knee supports, better ear phones, and better shoes. And the affair took off. Around campus, late at night (make sure to find out if your campus is well patrolled before you follow in my footsteps there), around the track at 5 AM after an all-nighter that's left me wired, right before I log in so much time on my computer that I leave an ass print, Jogging is always there for me. You can have partners to shave off some minutes from your mile. Or, if you're pacing someone else, you're not out of breath, so feel free to talk about yourself blissful mile after mile as they pant along and are forced to listen. And, we're polygamous, I'll share him with you.

*College is a time to find yourself in so many ways*. It is a time to fall in love and fall down. It is a time to make mistakes and start over. It is a chance for you to start healthful habits so that you can be the best you can be. Being healthy and fit in college is indisputably important for your wellbeing. It will leave you more alert and energized to tackle your academic, extracurricular, and social pursuits. Healthy, in my opinion, means feeling good. So use your spare time to explore your options and to find your own routine. But just know that the college campus is bursting at the seams for you to climb its walls, run its fields, and jump its many hurdles.