The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 89, No. 14, Ed. 1, Wednesday, October 11, 2000 Page: 3 of 10
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Accent
Optimist Wednesday October 11 2000 3
Fighting the
Fre
Freshmen watch their weight
Students often hear tales about how
adapting to college life often includes
adapting to a larger waist size They
hear stories about a theory that is common
to campuses across the country the
Freshman 15
According to this theory students gain
an average of 15 pounds during their first
semester in college Of course fluctuation
of weight vanes depending on who is
telling the story
"My roommate calls it the Freshman
I 50 said Jason Ferrera freshman second
ary education major Irom Red Oak Thats
K what hes going for "
Ferrera said he was familiar with the
Freshman 15 theory before arriving at col-
lege He said he was concerned because he
didn't kn6w if he wo'uld be able to remain
as physically activeas he had been in high
school " '
In addition adapting to a new place
contnbutes to students tendency to gain
weight For example parents no longer
influence dietary decisions
"Now that students parents aren t here
they don t have to eat their vegetables they
dont have to drink their water" Ferrera
said "They can eat what they want when
they want "
Ferrera said he has maintained his
weight by playing intramural football run-
ning three or four times a week and eating
sensibly The all-you can eat feature of the
Bean presents temptation for many stu-
dents to overeat but students can use will
power to overcome the temptation he
said
He also said gaming weight causes as
much concern for men as it does for
women
"I don t think women care about it more
they just talk about it more" Ferrera said
"I think men care just the same they just
don t say anything "
Many people worry about weight gain
but an increasing number fail to prevent it
t by eating a balanced diet and exercising reg-
" ularly said Angela Estes director of nursing
"Our whole society has accepted weight
gam too much" she said
Estes said such acceptance overlooks the
danger of weight gain such as possible
negative effects on the heart blood pres-
sure and joints
Students are susceptible to gaining
weight because they lack a routine that
includes eating balanced healthy meals
"Their mothers aren t there to cook and
they re on a different schedule " she said
She said students should adjust their
schedules to include regular exercise If
time doesnt allow a set schedule minor
changes such as walking rather than driv-
ing and climbing stairs instead of riding
the elevator can help students burn extra
calories
For students who already see the effects
of the Freshman 15 theory Estes suggested
making a list of realistic weight-loss goals
that include 20 to 30 minutes of exercise at
least three times a week and eating three
sensible meals a day Students can contact
Health and Counseling Services or the
Exercise Science Department for informa-
tion about diet and exercise
Estes said balancing diet and exercise to
ensure the number of calories taken in
doesn t exceed the number expended helps
students to avoid gaining the Freshman 15
Attention to that equation has helped
Kristin Franklin freshman accounting and
finance major from Arlington maintain her
weight
Franklin said she exercises about three
times a week alternating between cardiovas-
cular work and weight lifting She said she
also pays attention to what she eats she
recently began a diet that restncts carbohy-
drates and focuses on protein and vitamins
found in meats and green vegetables
"1 just wanted to avoid the whole
Freshman 15 thing " she said
Franklin said that many freshmen show
concern about gaining weight but the pace
of college life often results in lack of atten
tion to health
"They get real busy and they re not wor-
ried about watching their weight" she said
"Its like 'I just have to eat and go "
4
M
Story by Amy Wilson Photos by Lessly Stalhngs Page design by Matt Lowe
ttJSCa r .
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Where to
work out
I
Hi
I ill' EB'll
.- B
H
Gold's Gym
4502 Buffalo Gap Road
695 8900
Cost
$35 enrollment fee
$19 per month
Hours
5am-10pm Mon-Thurs
5 30-a m - 9 p m Fnday
8 a m -6 p m Saturday
1-5 pm Sunday
Price includes Body Master
equipment aerobics classes
free weights sauna
Extra protein shakes tanning
beds fitness wear
Power Shack
3301 S 14th St
691-0273
Cost
Membership pnces start at
$27 per month
Hours " n
5 a m -9 p m Mon-Fn "h
9 a m -6 p m Saturday
1-6 pm Sunday
Price includes two personal
training sessions pool hot
tub sauna child care aero-
biscs classes weekly Bible
study
World Gym
2565 S Danville Drive
698-9400
Cost
Students receive first 3
months for free then $25
per month
Hours
4am -midnight Mon -Fri
5 30 a m - 9 p m Friday
8am-10pm Saturday
1-6 pm Sunday
Price includes personal train-
er child care towel service
racquetball aerobics water
aerobics hot tub sauna sep-
arate workout area for
MVv"
V
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The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 89, No. 14, Ed. 1, Wednesday, October 11, 2000, newspaper, October 11, 2000; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101675/m1/3/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Abilene Christian University Library.