Blog Entry

October is the season for all things spooky! Scary movies, ghoulish costumes, and creepy ghost stories for everyone! However, there is one urban legend that keeps many of us up at night… The Legend of the FRESHMAN 15!

Every college student is warned about gaining 15 (or more) pounds during their first year of college. The origin of the Freshmen 15 comes from the late 1980s in popular media but don’t worry, this is 100% a myth! There’s no need to be scared. Many studies have shown that students tend to lose weight during the first few months of their college career and only gain about three pounds by the end of their first year.

The transition from living at home to living independently does impact a student’s relationship with food and eating. For example, some students develop unhealthy eating habits when living away from home such as stress eating, eating late at night and right before bedtime, or skipping meals during the day. Many don’t realize it, but the fear of gaining the weight can affect a student’s mental, emotional, and physical wellness. The thought of gaining weight can lower a person’s self-esteem causing them to dislike their body and become overly anxious of their looks. This can lead to over doing it during workouts, extremely restrictive dieting, body dysmorphia, or disordered eating.

It’s important for students to know the truth about how bodies grow and change and learn to appreciate their own unique bodies. At age 18-20, it’s very natural and normal for the body to change. At this stage, our bodies are still developing, changing, and even gaining weight. It’s okay to look different from those around you and from those in your family. The most important thing is that every student should feel comfortable in their own body and love and accept themselves as they are.

If you feel unsatisfied with the way you look, you are in good company. About 50% of Americans aren’t happy with their current weight. There are many healthy habits students can adopt to improve their physical wellness and prevent weight gain while here at SHSU. Students can create a regular routine that includes physical activity, choosing healthy snacks, and meditation. SHSU has many resources to help you start or maintain your physical wellness journey. Rec Sports is hosting a movement competition called the 2020 Recreation Movement Fitness Program. Students can log activity minutes now through November 30^th and win prizes. Register here at Rec Movement with your Sam email to get started. Students can also check out the Rec Sports fitness calendar for upcoming activities and group fitness classes by visiting this link Recreational Sports Event Calendar. Registration is free when you use your Sam email.

Happy Halloween and Eat ‘Em Up Kats!