College is an exciting time. It's filled with new friends, clubs and lots of sleepless nights. Along with all of that is a magical thing called a Meal Plan. This means that you now have the choice to eat whenever you darn please. No more mom telling you that it's almost dinner time so you can't eat a snack. No more waiting around for lunch. If you have some free time between classes there's a pretty good chance that you will find your way to the nearest food. The only problem with that is the little thing called freshman fifteen. Basically, most freshman gain fifteen pounds because they have unlimited access to food. These are the ten stages that most freshman experience while trying to battle the unwanted extra weight, but the need for one more french fry.
1. When you walk in the cafeteria and realize there are endless sweets and burgers.
Seriously, I think I get ice cream at least twice a day...at the minimum.
2. After you walk into the dinning hall for the fourth time today.
Tomorrow you will only go twice to balance out what you've eaten today. That works, right?
3. Soon your food baby will become a recognizable size, and people may begin to notice.
This is the denial stage. You know where you tell yourself that when you wake up in the morning all of those rolls and pudge will magically disappear.
4. But guess what, it won't go away.
Those four slices of pizza are staying...in the form of belly fat. That's right, soon you'll only fit in your sweatpants.
5. You may decide to go on a diet and then quickly change your mind.
"I'm only going to drink water today" is the most common lie you tell yourself.
6. After you feel as if you are becoming one with the desert bar, you finally seek help from one of your "health freak" friends.
The first week is always the hardest. Just remember that you will get through this, and by the end you may even be able to happily push aside cupcakes (but probably not).
7. As soon as anyone tries to ask if you want to come to dinner with them, you immediately tell them no.
They just don't understand. The cravings for endless slices of pizza is too hard to resist once you enter the dining hall.
8. Warning: Seeing people with food can cause bouts of rage.
Deep breath in. Deep breathe out. Remember your goal: Spring Break Body.
9. You may hate yourself the first time you relapse into your buffet-style eating habits.
But hey, that taco and grilled cheeses were totally worth it. Just go work it off in the gym later that night.
10. Then you realize that you don't give a crap anymore.
Now, while you shouldn't become the size of an elephant due to your inhuman eating habits, you should be able to enjoy life a little. Go ahead, eat that loaded potato (or three).
