How to Avoid the 'Freshman 15' While Studying Abroad

Studying abroad comes with many perks. New friends, life lessons, all of which you’ll be grateful for. But if you’re not careful, the months of “studying abroad” and living the hedonistic student lifestyle can cling on to you for longer than anticipated. Anatomically, it’ll probably cling ‘round the side of your waist or come in the form of a beer belly.

Known as “the freshman 15” in the US and Canada (typically a 15lb gain in weight) or, if you’re in Australia/ New Zealand, “first year fatties/ fresher spread/fresher five” (referring to a 5kg gain in weight - lighter than their North American counterparts! Interesting…). According to Wikipedia, the main culprit behind this phenomenon is a combination of increased alcohol intake and the consumption of high fat, high-carb foods served at university cafeterias.

From my experience of student hall dining, I can see where the origins of the freshman 15. I was given six points for dinner everyday. Each food item offered was worth a certain number of points, but dessert cost 0 points, meaning you can have as much of it as you like.

Luckily, I’ve never had much of a sweet tooth, but I have an inkling as to why some of my lean peers in first year who couldn’t say no to the daily chocolate pudding (before embarking upon a 1,000 pint challenge) until the freshman 15 turned them into personifications of the cruel saying “you are what you eat” in their second year.

For those skilled in hiding their shock when a previously slender friend returns home from a holiday a few kilograms heavier, you’ll know exactly what I’m referring to.

To avoid the “oh we’re so glad you have been… living well studying abroad!” and “Oh, haven’t you ‘filled out’ over the years” comments when returning home, here are a few tips on how to enjoy your precious student years without the aftermath of the spare tire.

1) Keep a mental score of drinks calories while studying abroad.

I learned this the hard way… a pint of cider is about 239 calories. On one particular night out studying abroad, a moment of mathematical inspiration came to me. I have drunk about 6 (or was it 7?) pints that night, that would mean I have absorbed… oh dear. Needless to say, that was the last time I touched cider. Best to check out drinks calories before ordering that 10th round.

2) Midnight munchies, or belly full of regret?

Would you eat that oily midnight snack if you hadn’t had all those drinks? If the answer is no, then you don’t need the extra 800 calories. Even if you can justify the 6/7 drinks by dancing as hard as you could all night, add on a midnight pizza and you’re back at a billion calories over your healthy daily intake.

3) Join a random university sport

If you’re the university’s star athlete then you probably won’t need to worry too much, you’re probably magically working it off somehow (I hate you). But, if you find exercise immensely boring, why not try a university sport club, like ultimate Frisbee. You’d be surprised at how many calories running and jumping to catch a small disc can burn, it can be pure cardio!

4) Check the mirror once in a while (I promise, I’m not trying to be mean… read on!)

I don’t believe in scales as it can cause unnecessary paranoia and obsession. Fluctuations can be caused by the time of day you choose to weigh yourself, change in muscle mass, or even how much water you’ve drank (and let out). I would recommend just looking at yourself in the mirror if you’re feeling the freshman 15. If you don’t like what you see, then go to the gym (or just stop drinking for a week, the results may surprise you!).