If you want to solve the mystery of the infamous ‘freshman 15,’ chew on this for a moment. It takes about 3,500 extra calories beyond what your body already burns to gain a pound. If you drink heavily two nights a week at about 1,500 calories a night, that’s 3,000 calories a week. Multiply that by 15 weeks and you’ve got almost 13 pounds in one semester. Mystery solved.
Although every student is different and there are many factors that contribute to weight fluctuation, the calories you drink definitely affect you more than you may think ‘ at least until May rolls around and last year’s shorts won’t make it past your thighs. The six students featured below divulged the truth about their drinking habits, and the results may floor you. (I’m surprised these guys aren’t on the floor every Friday night.)
Lauren, sophomore, finance
Pregame:
– 2 shots Bacardi 151: 244 calories
At the bar:
– 4 sex on the beach : 356×4=1,424 calories
– 1 Bacardi 151: 122 calories
TOTAL: 1,790 calories
‘When I’m drinking I don’t usually say, ‘Oh, that has a lot of calories.’
Anne, sophomore, history
Pregame:
– 2 shots Bacardi 151: 244 calories
At the bar:
– 2 rum-and-cokes: (one shot rum, 12 oz. Coke) 140+122×2=532 calories
– 1 Southern Comfort and lime shot: 80+1=81 calories
– 2 sex on the beach: 356×2=712 calories
TOTAL: 1,569 calories
‘Normally do I think about calories? yes; when I’m drinking? no.’
Rebecca, sophomore, English
Pregame:
– 1 shot Bacardi 151: 122 calories
At the bar:
– 3 sex on the beach: 356×3=1,068 calories
TOTAL: 1,190 calories
‘I just eat more when I’m drinking ‘ I think about [the calories] but I don’t really care.’
Andrew, sophomore, biology
Pregame:
– 10 Bud Lights: 107×10=1,070 calories
At the bar:
– 3 shots Jagermeister: 103×3=309 calories
TOTAL: 1,379 calories
‘I try to eat healthy.’
Zach, sophomore, economics and creative writing
– 12 light beers: 110×12=1,220 calories
– 1 shot vodka: 80 calories
– 1 rum and coke: 140+122=262 calories
TOTAL: 1,562 calories
‘I don’t get drunk that much, so I think it’s acceptable.’
Eric, sophomore, politics, philosophy and law
Pregame:
– ‘The Goblet of Heineken’ (ritual that amounts to about 1 beer each): 160 calories
Frat house:
– 2 shots Bacardi 151: 244 calories
– 2 Keystone beers: 320 calories
– 1 game of beer pong: 160 calories
At the bar:
– 3 pitchers, shared with 2 friends (aprox. 5 beers): 800 calories
TOTAL: 1,684 calories
‘I’d guess that running from Sports Bar to the Mad Moose burns extra calories.’
‘ Calorie counts provided by dietanalysis.com