Feared freshman 15 harsh reality for some
- posted: 04 Oct. 2007
- scrollspecial@byui.edu
I’ve heard debate regarding the “freshman 15.” Some people say it’s bunk — they argue that a lot of people maintain their weight. Many even lose it.
In many cases, they’re right — my freshman roommate has already shed a few pounds in the three weeks since school started.
But for some girls, it’s reality. Take me, for example.
I could blame it on any number of things. I skipped breakfast and had big lunches. My roommate made great brownies.
My apartment had no bathroom scale. I developed an infatuation with The Office.
After a 2006 study, researchers at Rutgers’ Cook College gave a few speculations on possible causes of the dreaded early-college waist inflation, such as decreased physical activity.
But I’ve lived it, and I’ve identified my own three causes (see sidebar to the right).
I’m proud to say I’ve applied what I learned — I’ve lost most of the weight I gained. But it wasn’t like making one giant decision to stay healthy — it was hundreds of tiny decisions I made every day.
We are taught, “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 36:7).
Maybe I should start a support group for girls like me — Freshman 15 Anonymous, perhaps? We can have our first meeting over lunch at Subway.
Just hold the mayo. 
