Keeping your figure in the first year: Avoid the Freshman 15

For freshmen, the sweet taste of freedom can be both blissful and fattening. With no rules, no parents and the challenges of taking on harder coursework, who can blame you for taking on unwanted fat every incoming student dreads?

Saying no to fast food or dorm room snacks while juggling coursework, a social life and extracurricular activities — speaking to you, beer drinkers — almost seems impossible, but that isn’t the case. There’s a way to prevent the notorious “Freshman 15” from happening, and it’s only a matter of effort.

The “Freshman 15” is a phenomenon in which college students (most commonly females) gain weight caused by a severe lifestyle change in their first year, researchers say. Over the years, the theory has lost and gained its credible weight, but a recent study by medical researchers at the University of Eastern Texas has not only validated the theory, but revealed that students gain way more than the original Formidable 15 during their first year.

Not to worry, in “Dr. Drew’s Lifechanger,” registered dietician Rachel Beller teamed up with other nutrition experts to provide tips on how to keep a high GPA (in this case, both a high grade point average and a good personal attitude) and avoid being the next freshman who gains those 15-plus pounds.

When hunger calls and you have to choose between swiping your card at a fast food restaurant at the UC or in the Moody Towers Dining Hall, Beller suggests skipping both and dining in your room instead.

“Substitute dangerous dining hall meals with healthy foods stocked in your own fridge,” she said.

However, don’t confuse this method with stocking up on junk foods. As easy as it is to pop in one of your favorite TV dinners, it’s just as easy to make yourself frozen turkey meatballs, chicken, salmon or veggie burgers, Beller suggests.

Of course, you should always find time to exercise. Whether that means power-walking around campus for 15 minutes daily, taking the stairs insead of the elevator or riding your bike around campus, every little bit helps.

Most importantly, don’t forget to keep both of your GPAs high both in and out of the classroom.

Beller suggests that for every negative thought you have about your appearance, think of two attributes you are proud of.

“By diluting the bad with the good, your brain will start changing the way it functions normally and the negative thoughts will slowly disappear,” she said.

Studies suggest that the brain will rewire itself to focus on the positive — a process called neuroplasticity.

Secondly, if you can’t motivate yourself to exercise daily, shave off those pounds with intense activity in long-term school competitions. “Dr. Drew’s Lifechanger” suggests participating in a 5-K run because it requires rigorous training — the type of training that can whip you right back into shape.

Intramural sports can also keep the pounds away and help you make friends in the process.