Before starting your college journey, everyone tells you about the daunting freshman 15, or any college weight gain. In my mind, I swore that I would never let myself become victim to college weight gain. I also didn’t think it could happen to me. Before college, I ate fairly well, except for sweets, but I only had contact with them around special occasions. I was very active at all times, because when I was not dancing, I was at the gym. So I thought that I was going to be able to handle keeping myself healthy. But I underestimated what actually was behind the college weight gain, and it was more than just unhealthy eating.

First off, college is a time commitment. Most of the time in high school, I was never pressed for time and always had moments in my day to stay active. But now, in college, I realize that exercise needs to be scheduled into the day. I found myself working all day in my dorm or the library and not making any time to go to the gym. It became a really unhealthy habit in which I put going out with friends ahead of exercise. I let this become too common of an occurrence, a habit which I intend to stop.

There is also a sense of denial. No one wants to accept that they are gaining weight. It can be very hard to be honest with yourself and accept that your body is changing in ways you may not be happy about. I didn’t want to admit that I was gaining weight, so instead of doing anything about it, I ignored it. But not any more; I have made a commitment to myself to accept that I have gained weight, but I have also accepted the challenge to make a change.

It is definitely a lot easier to put on the weight than to lose it. There are times that it is very upsetting when you think you are working hard but are not seeing the results you expected and hoped for. But it is important to always remind yourself that with hard work comes great payoff. Do not accept things that make you unhappy just because you believe that you cannot achieve change.

Also, do not think that you have to go on the weight loss journey alone. Believe me, you are not the only person out there who are going through the college weight gain struggles together. Get a group of girls and boys together to help keep each other on a healthy track. Do not get down on yourself for gaining weight, rather, make a change that makes you happy. Be excited that you are working hard for something you want, rather than being upset about something you do not have… yet!