Fight The Freshman 15 With This Dorm Room Workout | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Fight The Freshman 15 With This Dorm Room Workout

Don't let the Freshman 15 turn into the Sophomore 20 and Junior 30.

41
Fight The Freshman 15 With This Dorm Room Workout
Williamette Collegian

Now that you're in college you're probably discovering how stressing out over tests or staying out too late is affecting your eating habits and consequently your weight. It's so easy to put your health on the back burner when trying to focus on school, and unfortunately the pounds can start to sneak up on you quickly. I'm sure you've heard of The Freshman 15, and trust me it is no joke. It doesn't just happen freshman year, it can quickly turn into Sophomore 20 and Junior 30. My freshman year I was intimidated by the campus gym but I wanted to still maintain a fitness routine so I resorted to getting creative in my dorm room. If you're not able to be active outside or are intimidated by the gym, working out at home can be a great way to tone up. Here's some of the exercises I did in my dorm room that helped me stay toned -- and feel less guilty about how much Taco Bell I consumed.

Arms:

When it comes to arm workouts, unless you have a set of weights it can be difficult to find ways to work the different muscles, but I found a few great ways to tone my arms at home.

Push ups: These can be done in a few variations and using your own body weight is one of the best ways to build strength. If you're not strong enough to do regular push ups start out with inclined push ups using your wall, bed frame or desk until you build the strength to do them on the floor.

Triceps dips: Using your desk chair you can work your triceps with this super easy exercise.

Shoulders: A simple way to tone your shoulders is to grip a textbook with your arms down in front of you, slowly raising the book to eye level then back down again, keeping your arms straight the whole time.

Legs:

If you have a pretty open floor space you will be able to do almost any leg exercise, these are a few of my favorites.

Squats: Fill your backpack with textbooks or other heavy things and wear it backwards across your chest and stomach. Keep your heels on the ground and arms stretched out front when squatting.

Lunges: Grab your heavy textbook again and hold it, arms straight, above your head and do alternating lunges.

Step ups: Using your desk chair you can do high-knee step ups like this picture shows, or raise your free leg straight out behind you.


Booty:

Squats and lunges are a surefire way to build the booty, but there's a few other exercises I like to incorporate into my workout, too.

Bridge ups: Make sure to slide a yoga mat or some sort of padding underneath you to make this exercise less painful. Raise your hips as high as you can and hold at the top for a few seconds for each repetition. On the last rep I like to hold it at the top as long as I can.

Donkey kicks: These are my favorite because they not only target the booty but also help get rid of cellulite!


Abs:

What I like to do for ab exercises is search on Pinterest and do a different workout each time, my favorite so far has been the "300 Abs". One thing I always incorporate at the end of my workouts is a plank and hold it for as long as I can.


This short workout alone isn't always enough to combat the Freshman 15, but exercise combined with healthy food choices, plenty of rest and water, and avoiding alcohol you can guarantee that you wont gain unnecessary weight.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

2604
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

449120
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

21478
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

44505
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments