We’ve all heard of the “Freshman 15”. Young adults leave the comfort of their parent's house, head off to college, and for the first time they are in total control of their life. There are late nights, lots of parties, alcohol, and cheap food. 

Let's face it, most college kids are on a tight budget and/or a school meal plan that isn’t the best. A lot of kids play sports in high school, but no longer play in college, and before you know it they come home for summer break with more than just their laundry. 

They come home carrying the freshman 15. That’s fifteen extra pounds that they weren’t expecting to gain, that crept up from the late nights, the stress of college, and crap food.

Well now were facing a new 15; it's the quarantine 15. This coronavirus was unexpected, to say the least. We are in what feels like uncharted territory. I think it's safe to say the unknown is scary. The lack of control and answers is stressful. Our lives have been flipped upside down with no real idea of when we will get back to normal. 

We are being asked to work from home, our kids’ schools have shut down, we have to figure out how to handle lesson plans while juggling work. We’re being told to social distance, stay home as much as we can, avoid contact with others. Gyms are closing, stores are closing, restaurants and night clubs are closing, public gatherings are being canceled. There are a lot of feelings within us right now…stress, fear, anxiety, uncertainty, frustration, a complete lack of being in control of our lives. 

What does all of this lead to?

EMOTIONAL EATING and INACTIVITY that can very quickly lead to the quarantine fifteen. It will be easy to gain fifteen or more pounds in these next few months while we wait and work to gain control over this pandemic if you don’t have a plan in place to avoid it. 

In a time where we feel completely out of control, remember there are a few very important things that are 100% IN YOUR CONTROL. You are in control of what you eat and if you move your body each day. 

Healthy eating and exercise can help boost your immune system as well as your mood. “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy.” Thank you for that very important life lesson, Elle Woods. It's time to take control of what we can. Implement these basic principles and not only will you feel more in control of your daily routine, you’ll feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally as well.

Have a game plan for your nutrition. Eating healthy can be challenging if you don’t have a plan, eating healthy in a crisis can feel downright impossible without a plan. If you need some serious guidance might I suggest Ultimate Portion Fix, my nutrition program available on Beachbody On Demand.