Marketing freshman Caroline Pennison and pre-nursing freshman Katelyn Sullivan have been munching on Special K products – cereal, protein bars and shakes – for several weeks.
They hope their dedication will pay off when they hit the white-sand beaches of Gulf Shores, Ala., next month for spring break.
Pennison said dieting before spring break has turned into the norm for college students.
“It’s a trend now,” she said. “It’s what you are expected to do.”
Sullivan attributes crash diets before spring break to students’ procrastination.
“It feels like spring break is so far away, but it’s really not,” she said.
An influx of students has recently swarmed the UREC, according to Taara King, mass communication sophomore and UREC employee.
“Spring is a time to show off and prepare for summer, when no one wears clothes,” King said.
King said cardio rooms have been crowded recently, which she attributes to people’s desire to get fit for the upcoming mild weather.
She said most people are dormant and stay indoors in the winter months, but when spring comes around, people want to be out and about.
According to Jamie Mascari, registered dietician for the LSU Athletics Department, the fastest way to drop weight is a low carbohydrate diet.
“You’ll see a quick drop in weight, but the faster you lose weight, the faster you will probably gain it back,” she said Mascari advocates slow, healthy weight loss, but she said losing two to three pounds a week is a possibility, depending on the person.
“Everyone loses and gains weight at different rates, so one particular diet or exercise regimen may work for one person but not the other,” she said.
But Mascari warned that low carbohydrate diets have horrible side effects like fatigue, difficulty concentrating, low energy and crankiness.
“Slow, healthy weight loss should be the goal,” he said.
Mascari said small, gradual changes in diet and exercise habits will add up throughout the year and prevent the need to turn to fad diets. She recommended cutting out sugary beverages, controlling portion sizes and not skipping meals.
Julie Hupperich, associate director of the Student Health Center, agreed. She said if students want to lose weight, they should go back to the basics of nutrition – balance, variety and moderation.
She said that all foods can fit into a healthful mean plan, but those higher in fat and calories should be limited.
Mascari emphasized that planning is a key factor in healthy weight loss. She said students should stock their pantries with nutritious food choices, check the online menu for the dining halls and incorporate an exercise routine that varies from day to day.
“Instead of heading straight to the pizza or burger station, look for protein, grains and colorful vegetables,” she said.
 
 
—-
Contact Jacy Baggett at [email protected]