WINONA, Minn., April 27, 2001 -- College students can gain five pounds easily during long Minnesota winters, said the health services director at Winona State University. Now, Diane Palm said, is the time to shed pounds. Palm recommends moderate aerobic activity for up to one hour four days a week. "Aerobic activity is best for your body because it increases your heart rate and helps you burn more calories," said Palm. Best are weight-bearing aerobics such as walking, rock-climbing or running, said Palm. Weight-bearing exercises build muscle, which in turn burns more fat, she said. Palm also said that swimming and biking are good summer exercises but not the best because they are not weight-bearing and therefore don't burn many calories. "The fastest rate that students should lose weight would be one to two pounds a week. To lose weight faster usually means gaining it all back," said Palm. Palm also recommends eating a healthy and well-balanced diet to keep the pounds off. She advises against over-the-counter diet pills or fad diets such as the cabbage diet: "They don't work and are a waste of money." Palm said. Students should worry less about the food they eat and more about staying active, she said: "It's the inactivity of students that make them gain weight. They should be able to eat pizza and chips as long as they exercise properly."