In my latest article, "3 Things I've Learned About Body Image in College", I delved into some of my past and present insecurities and how I've come to embrace them.

With learning to love yourself comes a better understanding of what it means to take care of your body and health. Through an incredible friend, I learned about an unbelievable program that we have here at Grand Valley State for those who want to utilize the campus gym but need some guidance.

This program is called UFit and what it entails is if you are a student from Grand Valley, you basically get a personal trainer FOR FREE. If you're not a student, it's still a great program and only costs $25.

How to get started:

1. Set up the first appointment:

To get started, call the Fitness and Wellness Center at 616-331-3659 or email them at rec@gvsu.edu.

For your first visit, you fill out some medical forms, discuss goals with your trainer, have measurements taken, and go through some fitness testing.

The trainers are incredibly nice and make you feel super comfortable. This initial appointment takes 1-1.5 hours. Afterward, you schedule a second appointment for your fitness prescription!

2. Fitness Prescription, second appointment:

At this second appointment, you meet with your trainer once again, who will go over the results of your last appointment with you.

You will be given a packet that compares your fitness scores with that of people who are the same age and sex as you. It shows graphs, tells you where you are and how much you need to improve.

Then, the fitness instructor will go over a fitness program that they craft for you personally. This is based on how often you want to be going to the gym, how long you want to spend there, and what goals you have (weight loss, muscle building, overall toning of muscles, etc.)

Once all questions have been answered about your new program, the instructor will walk you through the program and make sure you know how to operate all the machines properly. They will also help you pick the weight you should be starting at for each exercise and that you have the correct form for each exercise.

3. Set free:

Now that you have the tools you need, you start your program and your trainer will schedule another appointment for you 3 or 4 weeks out to track your progress. At this point, they can and also tweak your fitness prescription if that is what you need. They are there to help you in any way they can!

This program in my mind is amazing. I can't believe that this kind of service can be offered for free. I think it's also a great one because it offers the opportunity for those who aren't as experienced in a weight room to be shown the ropes.

If you are a student at Grand Valley, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS; if you are not a GV student, scope out what programs there may be at your University. The Freshmen 15 only happens if you let it happen.