Weiss Report Blog

Copyright 2005 Adam Waxler

It’s a fairly accepted ‘fact’ among college age women that they
will gain weight their first year away from home. It’s so well
accepted, in fact, that nearly anyone will know immediately what
you mean when you refer to the ‘Freshman 15′.

However, the research doesn’t quite agree. One study conducted
15 years ago found that incoming freshman did gain weight at
higher rates than their peers who did not attend college, but
the average weight gain for the stressful freshman year was 7
pounds, less than half the mythical 15 pounds they’d been told
to expect. Even more encouraging is that a more recent study
of college weight gain monitored the weight and body fat of
freshman women. More than half the students put on weight, but
for most it was less than five pounds. One third of the students
actually lost weight. Interestingly, those students who most
worried about gaining weight believed that they had gained
weight even when the scales showed that they hadn’t. If you’re
concerned about gaining weight in that first year away from
home, here are some concrete suggestions that can help you avoid
the dreaded Freshman 15. Adopt a Healthy Attitude Toward Food.

Researchers place part of the blame for the Freshman 15 on the
tendency to turn to food for comfort. In an unfamiliar setting,
with new stresses and new worries, students may turn to the
familiar foods that make them feel good to help them get
through. Train yourself to eat when hungry - and deal with
stress through other means. De-stress.

The corollary to the statement above is that the less you allow
changes and worries to affect you, the less stress you’ll have
to deal with. One of the best ways to stress-proof your body is
by eating a healthy diet. Regular exercise and making sure you
get enough sleep play a big part, too. When you’re body is
well-nourished and well-rested, you’ll find it much easier to
deal with stress without resorting to major snacking. Watch
out for the parties.

Away from parental supervision for the first time, many college
age students give in to the urge to party. Try to keep in mind
that beer, even light beer, has 100 calories per every 12 ounces
that you drink. You’re also a whole lot more likely to snack on
high fat junk food like chips when you’re drinking. As for other
drugs - there are all sorts of reasons not to smoke. Add the
fact that it’s fattening to the list. Exercise.

Take advantage of the gym facilities and any student privileges
you might have by getting regular workouts. Swimming, tennis,
aerobics - any sport that you play, any activity that you do
will both burn calories, and help reduce the stress of your
first year at school. Socialize.

Find a group of friends and be a part of it. The more you feel
like you belong, the less you’ll be missing home, and the less
you’ll be snacking to make up for it. The Freshman 15 isn’t
inevitable. Just remember to eat healthy, exercise, sleep well
and have fun. The weight loss will take care of itself.

Check out any gym where weight training is going on and you’re likely to see a back-up at the Smith machines. These powerhouses for muscle building are favorites of serious trainers and those just starting out. With an ability to mix up a work out, this gym machine is great for commercial settings. But what about Smith machines home gyms? Are these worth to review for exercising at home? You bet!

Exercise home gym reviews written by professional trainers who are into building strength and overall fitness love Smith machines for their private gyms. This machine will enable the user to do a lot of exercises on a single piece of equipment, plus they can be reset to accommodate different users.

Some of the better manufacturers of Smith gyms produce machines with a lot of options for home use. The better features, for example, include angle changes, benches that adjust, leg extension ability and more. Review descriptions of these machines to see some of the exercises you can do at home to develop the lats, pecks, legs, arms and more with ease.

A Smith machine is appropriate for almost total body work outs. Add in just a few extra exercises and you’re covered, making these gyms perfect for private use. A well-made Smith provides counter balance and easy control. It will move with simplicity and puts less stress on the muscles than other pieces of gym equipment. Fitness equipment reviewers say the best thing about a Smith is the fact it is designed to help a person lift - a lot - without needing a spotter, which is great for a home setting.

If you want to equip a home gym right, start by reviewing all options including a Smith machine. Combining a lot of different weight training features into one solid piece of home exercise equipment, this equipment is perfect to help a person get fit and stay that way. Plus, think of the time you’ll save running to the gym!

About the Author:

Kevin Urban is the editor for Best-Home-Gyms.com, a consumer guide to multi station home gyms The site features home gym reviews and treadmill reviews on the most popular models.