Going into college as a young freshman is a life-changing moment, drastic in almost every aspect. You’re probably far away from home, away from the rules and schedule set for you by your guardians. You’re thrown into a new environment with different social and cultural influences. Your emotional stability turns into a roller coaster ride full of unexpected turns and bumps. So, add an unlimited student meal plan to the mix, and you’ve got the infamous “freshman 15” on the loose!
But, it’s not just the freshman student who has to deal with packing on extra weight. Anyone who’s had to go through a lifestyle transition knows what it’s like to use food to cope with all the emotional, mental, and physical adjustments. It’s so easy to fill a void in your life with comfort food, but even easier to forget that you’re doing it. This is a bad habit that you should avoid at all costs; otherwise, you could be losing way more than 15 pounds.
There are healthier ways to deal with drastic life changes and emotional shifts, even if you are just a college student. When you realize that food is not always your friend during stressful times, you will see a huge difference in your health and in your life. Whenever a life-altering change comes along, let your new behavioral tactics come into play and allow yourself to accept the given situation. Make a change in how you view your new adjustments–turn them into a positive learning experience, but remember to leave the midnight McDonald’s runs out of it!
For more help, create your own Change Plan here or re-visit your current Change Plans.
Addendum:
After this blog post was published one of our readers pointed out a video about a new study on the myth of the Freshman 15.
