Recovering from the freshman 15

The freshman 15. It was more like the freshman 18 for me. \n I remember my shirts gradually getting tighter and sucking in my stomach to zip up my pants. I had heard people talk about the freshman 15 before, but I never thought that it could happen to me. How could it be possible to gain a seam-splitting 15 pounds? \nAfter great contemplation, the causes of my weight gain weren't hard to figure out: the Gresham food court, alcohol and just being plain lazy. \nToward the end of my freshman year, I decided that it was time for me to level off that extra roll that I developed on my stomach by doing something that I said I would never do: start working out. Motivation was difficult because my roommate and my close friends never worked out back then. I wasn't happy with the way I looked. That was my main motivation. \nI decided to start running. It was pathetic. The outdoor track at the Health, Physical Education and Recreation building was my new obstacle course. I chose this track because not a lot of people used it and no one would see me in my struggle. \nI could only do about three laps at first, but eventually I increased to five. I felt that I was too out of shape to be seen in the Student Recreational Sports Center. I had been in there once for an aerobics class, and that was it. I didn't want to be around the tiny girls flaunting themselves in their sports bras and Spandex.\nAfter I moved home for the summer, I began running on my dad's treadmill. I was determined to shed those extra pounds, and I did. I didn't really like running, but it was convenient for me and it was preventing me from shattering the scale. \nI discovered Tae-Bo my sophomore year. One of my roommates introduced me to it, and we would jab our fists at that imaginary punching bag at least four times a week. Billy Blanks was a strong motivating force for me. He was constantly telling me not to quit, to push myself, keep my leg up and my stomach in. \nHe even talked about bathing suits. \n"You wanna look good in that bathing suit, you gotta push yourself." \nI finally found a workout plan that I really liked.\nDuring my sophomore year, my friends and I decided to go to West Palm Beach for spring break. Immediately I thought bikini. I had to look good in my beachwear. This motivated me to work out. \nI began working out to the Billy tapes about six times a week. I also put myself on a "Spring Break Diet." I would only let myself eat foods that were low in fat. \nAfter spring break, I had absolutely no desire to exert myself. I lost that motivating feeling.\n During my junior year, my exercise strategies became very inconsistent. I'd plan on working out, but instead I would find myself eating a frozen meat trio pizza. I would go to the SRSC every once in awhile and pop in the Tae-Bo tape whenever I was in the mood for Billy to whip me into shape. \nWeeks would pass by without working out, and then all of a sudden, I would get motivated. I would even have these vivid dreams about working out. The slumber created images would be an inspiration for me. I would wake up and be in the mood to exercise. \nMy senior year, but not my last, has abruptly arrived and I am proud to say that I have been working out. If I keep it up, I won't have to stretch my shirts out on a chair. \nFreshmen, don't think that weight gain can't happen to you. Find a workout plan that suits you best and remember that motivation is the key.