Late night Ramen noodles, popcorn and macaroni and cheese can lead to the notorious, “freshman 15.”
There are ways to avoid gaining weight, such as going to the gym and trying to eat healthy, but managing those steps on a busy college schedule can be difficult.
Keene State College may soon bring a top-rated weight-loss system to the campus because of sophomore Jaime Drisdelle, who is in the process of creating an on-campus Weight Watchers club at the school.
Erin D’Aleo / Equinox Staff
Drisdelle described her personal reasons for starting the club.
“I am a life-time member of Weight Watchers, and I have currently lost thirty pounds since last year and kept it off, and I want to inspire people to get healthy,” Drisdelle said. Her journey to this point was not easy, however.
According to Drisdelle, she attempted other diets that left her feeling miserable, and craving carbohydrates.
“I was deprived, I was light -headed, I was just dreaming about carbs basically,” Drisdelle said.
After her experience with other weight-loss plans, Drisdelle said, “I think that Weight Watchers is the best diet out there because you are not deprived.”
However, the club has a long way to go before it comes to fruition.
A Weight Watchers representative who asked to remain anonymous said school administrators have to work with Weight Watchers managers to develop a plan for the school.
“The administration can come together with the manager in your area to get a meeting started,” the representative said.
The representative also stated that it is possible to provide the club, free of charge, to students.
“Get a meeting started and see about discounts and see about subsidy for you guys. But it is possible,” the person said.
The representative also commented on the program’s benefits, and said there would be access to E-tools and Weight Watchers online.
Weight Watchers online tools are successful because of the way Weight Watchers focuses on losing weight, according to Drisdelle.
“They don’t go off of calories, they measure the fat, carbs, protein and fibers. And what I like is that you are not constantly counting calories,” Drisdelle said.
Drisdelle said that unlike a lot of weight-loss programs, Weight Watchers is rewarding rather than depriving.
“I am really into working out, I like how when you work out you get points back. Sometimes I get to the point where I have so many points left over, and I can eat higher points of food,” Drisdelle said.
After people reach their weight-loss goals, the focus is to maintain the weight loss while learning a lifestyle. “
And Weight Watchers is not just about losing weight, it is also about maintaining and staying on track,” Drisdelle said.
KSC student, Shannon Ridge, commented on how Weight Watchers could develop a way of life.
“It’s not necessarily dieting, it’s forming a better life style,” she said.
Anna Glassman can be contacted at aglassman@keene-equinox.com