Cutting out the Freshman 15

How to leave MRU without a muffin top, beer gut or love handles

Bryce Forbes
Sports Editor

Please freshman, listen to what I have to say.

I’m speaking from experience here — I’ve been in your place before. I saw the freedom, the parties, the food.

But it all comes with one side effect — the dreaded Freshman 15.

It starts the moment you walk onto campus, followed in short order by your first student night at The Hub.

Hell, I gained the Freshman 15 for two people in my first year.

(But I also lost it all and more in sophomore year #reallifehumblebrag).

For those who don’t know, the Freshman 15 is the 15 pounds first year students typically gain.

It’s the ugly side-effect of new-found freedom that allows you to make any choice you want.

It’s more common for those people living in residence too.

So how do you stop from becoming the guy with a ponch hanging over your jeans or the girl wearing clothing too tight by Christmas?

The best advice — think as if you’re still living at home.

While you have the new-found freedom, you should still have your nagging mother’s voice in the back of your head.

Do you really need to eat the full pizza? Go to Taco Bell for the third time this week? What would your mother say?
It all starts with healthy eating.

One option is the Good Food Box put on by the Students’ Association in the Sustainability Centre.

For only 20 bucks you can get 20 pounds of quality produce shipped directly to the school. The price goes up if you want more fruits and vegetables, but it’s still a great deal.
With the box, you won’t have to lie to your parents about eating eight fruits or vegetables daily again.

It happens once a month with the first due date on Sept. 12.

While eating healthy is important, it’s only half the battle. The other part comes in the form of the recreation centre on the south side of the main campus, across the street from West Residence.

I’ll admit it, I lived across the street from it first year, but barely visited it. (Another reason for the 30-pound weight gain.)

Your tuition comes with a free pass to the rec. centre, all you have to do is activate it at the beginning of the semester.

That means you can hit the weights, bike ride, play squash, swim or run track — all for free.

As well, the rec centre hosts a number of intramural programs for a fairly cheap rate.

There are many other reasons that leave freshman with love handles, but this might help you keep it tight.