Embracing the Freshman 15

So since my blog is about fitness and combating the dreaded "freshman 15,” I thought I would start out by telling you a all little bit about my fitness history.  I was a chubby kid all throughout middle school, a major drawback of having an Italian mother.  I finally lost most of my baby fat when I grew about half way through high school.  I played tennis throughout high school and went to the gym consistently for my last two years of high school.  I actually started going to my crazy Chilean bodybuilder tennis coach who was nothing short of a drill sergeant.  

I came into college at 189 lbs and I weighed myself the other day at 191lbs.  That being said, I am not too worried about my slight weight gain.  I have never really been a healthy eater, and I have seen that it can be very difficult to eat healthy, given all of the options they have in the dining halls.  These include ice cream, cookies, other desserts, bread, etc.  Last week I actually ate a salad one day and I texted my mom because I was so proud.  I even texted her when I got vegetable pizza at the Big Onion one day (which I highly recommend by the way).  

Once in a while I'll go through phases where I try to eat only protein and fruit and all that good stuff, but that never lasts long.  However, I think I am pretty good at staying away from junk food for the most part.  My biggest problem is probably just eating too much in general. 

Obviously the quality of food you consume is going to decrease most likely when you go to college.  Thats why I think that exercise is the real key to fighting off those unwanted extra pounds that many students before us have gained.  Being in ROTC, I do a lot more running than I would like, but I am ultimately grateful that it is helping me from falling into the unfortunate trap of college food related weight gain.  In fact, my friends will tell you that I have been complaining non-stop for the past few days about how sore my legs are.  Sitting down, getting up, and taking stairs are always accompanied by groans and complaints.  Indian sprints, alternated jogging/sprinting, running stairs in Rec Hall, and tons of squats and lunges were just some of the exercises that were on this weeks agenda that successfully destroyed my lower body.  

Also adding to my fight against the freshman 15 is my crazy friend Jimmy.  I met Jimmy at NSO and he immediately stood out as one of the strongest kids I've ever seen.  Jimmy and I kept in touch and it turns out that we are on the same floor in Brumbaugh now.  Not only does he ask me to be his gym buddy consistently, but he also acts as my personal trainer and pushes me really hard.  Whenever I start to struggle a little I hear Jimmy yelling in my ear like a Marine drill sergeant and I am forced to finish my rep.  So, up to this point in my freshman year, I have gained 2 pounds and extremely sore legs.