By Brian Roe, Sports Writer
Front Roe Seat
I haven’t had a drink in two weeks. For those of you who know me well, that is probably hard to believe because I’m addicted.
That’s right, I’m addicted to Dr Pepper.
But I’m not going to let Dr Pepper run my life anymore. I put the can down. And you can, too.
Cutting back on calories is just one way for college students to combat one of the most feared enemies on the ACU campus today: the freshman fifteen. Freshmen, by now you have likely been informed of the epidemic known as the freshmen fifteen. If not, I’m here to enlighten you.
According to the unofficial college dictionary, the freshmen fifteen is defined as fifteen (or more) pounds added to the body that did not exist before joining the college ranks.
The infamous freshmen fifteen is attributed to a variety of culprits. The number one excuse: campus food. First-year students who live on campus are required to purchase some type of meal plan, usually accompanied by Bean Bucks.
The meal plan can be used at the World Famous Bean, the Jelly Bean and the on-campus cafZs and stands. Meal plans can also be used at specific times at the Bean Sprout and the on-campus Pizza Hut.
Yes, the Bean offers a salad bar, wraps and some low-fat options, but it presents many unhealthy choices as well. I personally enjoy the Jelly Bean or the Fatted Cafe, but each location sells sodas, candy bars and doughnuts.
The Bean Sprout, Pizza Hut and Chick-Fil-A offer students an alternative to the hat trick of Bean stops. However, all three places are high on grease and low on healthy choices.
Outside of food, another reason for the gained weight is simply because you’re not in high school anymore. A high percentage of college students participated in some type of athletic activity during their high school years. However, in college very few students double as athletes. In fact, fewer than ten percent of the student body at ACU participates in collegiate athletics.
Without the athletic competitions or practices, many students find it difficult to exercise on a regular basis.
“In high school I played football and basketball,” said Travis Crowell, sophomore finance major from Hurst. “We had football practice for three hours a day in the fall and basketball practice for three hours a day in the spring. Now I have to make the choice myself to exercise, and that’s more difficult.”
Despite the increased dining opportunities and the decreased athletic opportunities, the Bean and Pizza Hut are not to blame. We are responsible for ourselves. We have a choice. We control our exercise programs, our eating habits and our health overall.
So, stop your addiction now before it transforms into the despised freshman fifteen. Put down that extra piece of pizza or that morning doughnut. Put the Dr Pepper down.
Hey, if I can quit drinking, anyone can.
