Freshman Fifteen

Before beginning college I had heard a rumor about the 'freshman fifteen' that I was about to pack on as I left for school in the fall, but completely dismissed it. In May, as the school year was coming to an end, my mom came down to the dorms to visit me. I had asked her to bring me my favorite pair of capris that I had bought my senior year of high school because the weather was getting nice and I wanted to show them off. That evening after she left I went over to a girlfriend's dorm room to get ready for the evening. As I was changing into my capris I realized something absolutely horrible. They did not fit like they used to. Sure I was able to squeeze into them, however, my legs were smooshed and and I could definitely see my stomach hanging over the top of the pants. I had not realized that I had actually put on any weight until this moment. And at that moment, I wanted to kick myself. I knew I had been eating terribly for the past year, but I had always maintained a thin physique in high school and didn't think that the extra calories would catch up to me. Needless to say, I made a mission the following summer to lose those extra pounds. Although the research I have done on this myth has shown that it is more like the 'freshmen 6-7 pounds' rather than fifteen, I would strongly encourage students entering college to watch what they eat and continue to be active. It is not a pleasant surprise when you can't fit into your pants.