No doubt the start of your college years can be fun and exciting but it can also be a time of great expansion (typically in the gut area). Here are some quick and easy ways to avoid packing on the 'freshman 15' this year.

1. Avoid Stress Eating

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Manage your time as much as possible so you're not stress eating yourself through a long night of studying or plagiarizing a 15-page paper. If you get out in front of long projects it could make things quite a bit easier when the due date approaches. (Also, ask yourself this question: Is it really necessary to go out drinking 6 out of the 7 nights a week?)

2. Keep Healthy Snacks in Your Room

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Stock your mini fridge with fruits and vegetables, not pizza and wings. Choose microwaveable popcorn over salty chips, and when your roommate comes home from the dining hall with a garbage bag full of chicken nuggets, just say "no."

3. Eat Breakfast

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It's called the most important meal of the day for a reason. Once you get up and moving your body needs fuel to keep you from falling asleep in class. Plus it will help jump start your metabolism so you'll burn calories longer. Try and set your alarm 10 minutes before class starts instead of 5 so you'll have enough time to eat something.

4. Dining Hall Do's and Dont's

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Students probably think their weight gain can be attributed to the amount of Keystone light they drink but in reality a lot of unhealthy habits begin with the dining hall. When there are so many choices at the dining hall it's important to watch quantity of quality. If you want pizza for lunch, try and limit it to one slice instead of the buffet minimum of 10. Mix in a salad once in a while as well.

5. EXERCISE ONCE IN A WHILE

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Most schools have a state of the art fitness center that previous graduates helped pay for. Use it! Physical activity can help control weight gain, improve your mood and can even eliminate stress.

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