Pound for Pound Is the refrigerator calling you as often as clients do? Here's how to avoid the home office freshman 15.

Working out of your home may seem like such an ideal situation,you know there's got to be a catch somewhere. For somehomebased entrepreneurs, that catch is the phenomenon known as the"freshman 15." Just like first-year college students whogain weight from bountiful buffets at the dorm and junk-filledvending machines just downstairs, these business owners complainthat an office just one step away from the kitchen can lead to anexpanding waistline.

Maybe you recognize the syndrome. You're bored. Therearen't any diversions such as chatting with colleagues or avisit to the water cooler. So you start contemplating that leftoverlasagna from dinner last night. Or perhaps you head kitchen-wardwith virtuous thoughts of a diet soda, only to find yourself eyeingthe cherry cheesecake sitting next to that Diet Coke.

For some, the effects can be both expensive and lingering.Sandi, who runs her desktop publishing company from her home, canattest to that.