25 Aug 2013 My own freshman 15 – make that 30
by Kellie Dye
Many people assume that anyone who is not overweight is naturally thin and doesn’t have to work at weight control. Not true, I say. You’ve heard of the freshman 15?
I have no idea where that number comes from or if it’s even based on any reputable research. It is common that many teens gain a few pounds when they go off to college. I did not gain 15 pounds. I gained 30 pounds. So much for being “naturally thin.” I discovered that I was like everyone else. Eat too many calories, gain too much weight.
During my freshman year of college, I discovered unlimited cafeteria food, late-night pizza and let’s just say a malted beverage that I had no business drinking. I attended a small private college with all of the classes and dorm rooms within a very short distance from each other, so there was very little walking. I was no longer on the high school golf team (no golf carts back in my day, it was walk and carry your bag of clubs). My college exercise consisted of walking short distances, which also included all of the short trips to and from the cafeteria food line for seconds, thirds and fourth helpings. Did I mention the ice cream machine? Two blocks from my dorm room was a pizza place that I frequented many times a week (after dinner in the cafeteria).
I’ll never forget flying home for Christmas break and my parents greeting me at the airport. My mother and I had an interesting reunion. She had just lost 60 pounds, and I had gained 30.
Reversal of fortune? My 30-pound weight gain was unfortunately not evenly distributed. The weight gathered all around my mid-section, which led to some inquiry as to when my baby was due. Needless to say, this was when I decided that perhaps I should lose a few pounds. Once home, I picked up the Atkins Diet Revolution book. (This would be a good time to clarify that I had not yet selected nutrition as my college major.)
The book, like any fad diet book seemed to make so much sense. My freshman year Christmas break would be my very first attempt at a weight loss diet. To prepare for my new diet I bought salads, Ranch dressing, eggs, bacon, assorted meats and plenty of cheese. I faithfully followed the Atkins diet for two whole days. By day three I was cranky, tired, sluggish, couldn’t think straight and did I say cranky? This two-day experience got me thinking that there must be a better way.
I love all food too much to give up a whole group of foods. I spent the rest of the break researching diet and nutrition the old fashioned way (pre-Internet days) at the library and at bookstores. To this day I believe that the only thing that the Atkins diet was good for was that it led me to discover that good nutrition is about all foods in moderation with an emphasis on vegetables, fresh fruits and whole grains. I didn’t gain weight eating too many carbohydrates. I gained weight eating too many calories and becoming less active.
I ended up transferring and graduating with a dietetics degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Not having a car, living a long way from campus and walking lots of hills with a heavy backpack forced me into daily activity. Being more active along with a greater knowledge and appreciation of nutrition allowed me to lose the 30 pounds and feel better than I ever did even before college. I’m thankful for my freshman 30, which made me realize that I am human like everyone else and I, too, must watch my weight.
Kellie Dye, a registered and licensed dietitian, is the wellness coordinator at the Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center. Send your diet and nutrition questions to Kellie at [email protected]. Frequently asked and pertinent questions will be addressed in future articles in 501 LIFE.
