For many freshmen this fall semester will be their first time living on their own and away from their parents. Students will have to be accountable for themselves and the petty life tasks which were taken for granted while at home.
The semester will quickly pass by a common phenomenon called the “Freshman 15,” which represents the typical weight gain by college newcomers. Here are a few helpful tips to keep off the “Freshmen 15, while enjoying what Cal State Long Beach and Long Beach have to offer.
Avoid eating on campus. It saves money and it is healthier to pack a salad or sandwich with fresh grocery produce. If you are caught in a rush, as most college students are, the healthier places to eat on campus are El Pollo Loco and Subway.
Walk to class or ride a bike as much as possible. Walking at 4.5 mph at a brisk pace on a firm level surface can burn roughly 428 calories per hour. Not bad for just walking around campus and as an alternative to the intra-school shuttle system.
Eating on a regular schedule is one of the best ways to keep the pounds down. Starting the day off with a large carbohydrate breakfast, a medium-sized lunch around 1 p.m. and a small protein-rich dinner no later than 6 p.m will keep metabolisms stimulated and burning calories.
If you booze, you don’t have to lose. Drinking alcohol is one of the easiest ways to get plus-sized booty. Since college is known for the time where many people want to let loose and party like a rock star, it’s ridiculous to ask some not to drink. If you want to booze and keep the pounds down, avoid heavy beers and sugary cocktails like Four LoKo and Long Island Iced Teas, as these drinks pack serious unnecessary carbohydrates. The drinks to stick with would be gin and tonic or vodka tonics. Clear-colored alcohols pack the least calories and will still provide the desired effects.
Drink water! Not only will this help keep the weight off, but it’s extremely good for you. Drinking ice cold water also causes the body to burn more calories. If an individual drinks cold water regularly for a year, up to three pounds can shaved off.
Sleep at least eight hours a night. Well-rested sleep is one of the best ways to keep your metabolism stimulated and healthy.
For those new to the area, Long Beach provides many options for leisure activities that help keep the pounds down.
Long Beach is huge metropolitan area conveniently situated between Los Angeles and Orange County. While living in this mega-community, it’s easy to feel disconnected or lost in the clutter of everything Long Beach has to offer.
El Dorado Park is 388-acre park conveniently located within walking distance from campus with a large array of amenities. This beautiful regional park has a fully-loaded cement skate park complete with bowls and a street section, with ramps, rails and stairs. There are roughly four miles of cement bike trails and two stocked fishing ponds. For those who are into disk golf, there is a challenging 18-hole course complete with chain baskets. Other simple pleasures offered are picnic areas, a nature center and an archery range.
Another classic Long Beach adventure is taking a walk or bike ride down the Belmont Shore bike path. The 17-foot-wide cement path runs along side Ocean Boulevard and is roughly three miles in length. The stunning view of the harbor and interesting characters using the path will give you a good sense of this major city just south of Los Angeles.
Even though there are several temptations in Long Beach, there are several ways to approach them healthily.
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