Moving out of your family home, meeting new people, going to parties, and starting a completely new routine - you guessed it, it's the start of Freshers' Week season!

Continuing your studies at college or university for the first time is an exciting experience of discovery but it can also be incredibly daunting, especially if you now need to cook, clean, organise, and plan your life by yourself. Not to mention, it is quite common for first-time students to develop an unhealthy lifestyle, leading to what some call the 'Freshers Fifteen'. This is an expression commonly used to describe weight gained during a student's first year at university with 'fifteen' referring to a generalised 15lbs.

Whilst this is not the case for everybody, it is expected that your lifestyle and eating habits are bound to change at university. So we've put together 5 of our top tips to help you break the vicious cycle and ensure you don't fall into the trap of relying on takeaways every day of the week (we know, it happens!).

1. Make A Pact With Yourself To Get Outside Every Day
   With no one nagging you to exercise and get outside, it's easy to become a bit of a hermit in your halls or flat - and there's nothing wrong with that. But, making a pact with yourself to get some fresh air every day, have a little walk around, and move your body is an easy way to avoid becoming too sedentary. It's also a great way to alleviate study stress!
   
   
2. Join A Sports Society And The Gym (we have Student Offers!)
   Joining a Society at university is not only an amazing way to meet like-minded people, but it also gets you out of the house. This is especially true if the society you join is sports-based. It's also important to note that for most sports societies you do not need to be an expert - you just need to be motivated to try something new.
   
   Along with societies, it's always a great idea to start your first year with a gym membership. With an extensive range of classes and amazing friendly facilities, this is a great option to ensure you stay active during the year. To find out more about our current student offers, select your local club here and send our team a message.
   
   
3. Frozen Veggies Are Your Friend
   Shopping as a student isn't easy and it's incredibly common to end up wasting fresh food you forgot you even had. One of the most convenient alternatives is to store a few varieties of frozen vegetables in your freezer so you always have greens available. Then you don't have to worry about expiry dates or a smelly fridge!
   
   
4. Make Meals With Your Flatmates
   It's easy to slack on your meals when you cook for one. So try and rope in some of your flatmates to create a meal plan for your weekly dinners. You will probably end up saving money and are more likely to make something nutritious if it's for more people. Plus it's fun!
   
   
5. Eat Before You Go Out
   Making sure to fuel yourself with a good homemade meal before you go out can help you to avoid stopping at the chippie on the way home. Obviously, a takeaway here and there is perfectly fine, but try to avoid relying on them after every event or night out. You'll save money and feel better in the morning!
   
   
6. Keep A Stock Of Pasta, Microwave Rice & Pesto
   Along with eating before you go out, you can also keep a stock of long-lasting food like pasta, rice, and pesto which can be easily whipped up after a night out instead of a greasy takeaway. This is a great alternative and will be healthier for you in the long run.
   
   
7. Avoid Sugary Mixers
   One of the biggest culprits for a hangover is dehydration and high sugar intake (cue a cracking headache & nausea). Lots of sugary drinks are high in calories and can lead to weight gain without you even realising it. As the old saying goes, don't drink your calories! We would recommend opting for soda water or sugar-free lemonade/tonic water instead of things like Sprite or Coca Cola.
   
   If you want to add some flavour or sweetness, a dash of grapefruit juice or some lime or lemon juice can make your drink tastier.

At the end of the day making a few easy swaps to your routine will help greatly over the course of the year - and you're more likely to stick to it if you start from the beginning. But don't forget to also give yourself the occasional treat and have fun!