“The Freshman 15” 

The expression we all have been warned about before arriving to college. One that we either blew off because we knew it wouldn’t happen to us or feared since we have seen it happen to others before us. All I knew, was that it was a phenomenon in which college students put on around 15 pounds of weight during their first year. Mostly due to the unsupervised consumption of an unlimited amount of food at their disposal or a decreased level of physical activity. Everyone has heard about it, many experience it, and I’m here to share my experience and to let you know that it’s truly nothing to get worked up over!

I was very aware that this “Freshman 15” could happen to me. But did I think it would? Never. I was very athletic in high school and my metabolism never failed to keep up with the amount of food I consumed. This of course changed when I first tasted the freedom that accompanies living on your own in college. Food is at easy access 24/7, exercise is an option, and sleep is a priority!! 

Without having 4 sports to keep me active anymore, my body began to transform on its own due to the lessened amount of exercise. Not to mention the stress of preparing for huge exams. Food became a major stress-reliever for me. It was a way to indulge while studying to make it less painstaking, or a reason to take a break entirely so I could go grab something to eat with my friends. 

Food is cultural force because of the way it brings people together. Hanging out with friends typically entails sharing a bite to eat (or in my case impulsive 2 AM Sheetz runs). Date night almost always involves a nice dinner. There’s no way around it – food is at the center of modern socializing. Especially in college, whenever your scheduled family dinners turn into sporadic trips to the cafeteria for mozz sticks. Peer pressure comes into play a lot, too. If your friends ask you to go to Coldstone or Chick-Fil-A, are you gonna decline? Heck to the no. 

It almost seems impossible to maintain the same figure forever – and realistically, it is. As a freshman in college, around age 18-19 is when a female’s body is rapidly transforming from an adolescent’s figure to having more of a womanly curvature. You know – hips, thighs, love handles. All of the lovely changes that come along with aging. But the thing is, this happens to all of us! For some people, these changes are not welcomed with open arms, and I was one of those people.

In my case, I let the weight I gained in college take a huge toll on my mind and body, too. I beat myself up constantly for “letting myself go” and “allowing it to get this bad.” After the first semester, I had gained 17 pounds since graduating high school. I was shocked that in only ONE semester, I had gained over the universal amount people were alleged to gain the entire year. This hit me really hard, and over Christmas break, I decided it was time to change. I came up with an exercise plan for the following semester and made a promise to myself that I would eat healthier. To no avail. I fell right back into my old habits. I can’t lie – I did do much better than the first semester, but the weight still wasn’t budging. I felt like there was nothing I could do. I hated my appearance, my body, and myself entirely. I avoided mirrors, stopped posing for photos, began restricting my diet to the point that I wasn’t consuming enough calories to function normally. This began to hinder my performance in school, and that’s when I realized there was a problem. Not with the weight gain, but with how I was attempting to change it. Needless to say – I didn’t handle this the right way, at all. 

I didn’t begin to accept my physical changes until we moved out at the end of the second semester. Summer began and I was in no way “bikini body” ready. But for once, I didn’t mind. I took this past summer to reflect on myself, my life, and my priorities. I worked on becoming healthier and more active too, but my main focus was to become a better and happier person. One of the biggest things I realized was that outward appearance truly is insignificant in comparison to inner beauty. Having a kind heart and friendly personality means a whole heck of a lot more than having a “top of the line” physique. People will remember you by the things you say and how you make them feel, not how you look. And if someone does pass judgment based on another’s appearance – then they’re irrelevant anyway. That opinion does NOT define you. The only opinion about you that truly matters, is your own. 

After this summer, I returned to school as a much more confident woman. Not because I lost my freshman 15, but because I found something inside of myself that I hadn’t seen before. I gained the motivation to work every day on becoming the person I’ve always wanted to be. Not focusing on my appearance as much as the type of person that I am on the inside. I am a lot less judgmental of myself, and others. I’ve learned to accept changes regarding my body and don’t allow them to affect my mind. Taking the time to reflect on yourself and prioritize is honestly a lifesaver – I strongly encourage it!

The reason I wrote this is to let you know that gaining the freshman 15 is OKAY. This is something I wish I had realized sooner. Regardless if you have gained any amount weight or not, everybody and every BODY is beautiful. Change is a good thing. It all depends on how you feel in your own skin! If you can stand confidently and feel the exact same pride in yourself, even after gaining a few pounds – that’s all that matters! However, if that extra weight has taken a toll on your self confidence, no worries beautiful. There are many easy changes you can make to get yourself to where you want to be physically and mentally – in the healthiest way possible! The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with yourself. So, if that requires losing some weight, go for it! Self love is SO very important. If you gain 1 pound or 30 – you are still stunning, still valued, and still YOU. A number does not define you or your ability to succeed. Life is far too short to hold yourself back from your true potential based from a negative self-view. Take your amazing qualities and put them to good use. Have faith in yourself and love for all of the little things that make you, you! Once you develop a strong admiration and respect for yourself – you will be unstoppable. Other’s opinions mean nothing when you have the confidence to recognize your undeniable value.

In conclusion: The Freshman 15 is REAL. But, it can only affect you negatively if you allow it to. If any weight is gained there’s only two things you can do. 1. Accept the way your body has changed and be proud in your own skin. 2. Put in the work to get yourself where you want to be! Nothing is permanent. Keep that in mind, and know that your value is in no way determined by the number on the scale. 

Stay gorgeous!