The Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon may only be 48 hours on the floor, but many Thon dancers adjust their entire lifestyles in preparation for the event.

Wednesday night's first dancer meeting offered the participants many suggestions on how to survive the 48-hour marathon. The information has been compiled into a "Dancer Survival Guide," which covers topics ranging from what shoes to wear to what food to -- or not to -- eat.

Jill Caughie, Thon's morale chair, asked the dancers to promise her to start eating right, right now.

"Swear that you will not have caffeine or alcohol. Eat healthy foods, exercise and drink lots of fluids," she said.

Caughie said that adhering to these guidelines will help dancers get through Thon successfully. The advice included avoiding caffeine, cutting back sugar and exercising more to prevent injury or cramping during Thon. Dancers are also encouraged to get into regular sleep habits and avoid stress.

"Doing this will help you survive Thon -- because you won't remember it all but we want you to remember having fun, and these changes will help you do so," she said.

Many dancers are taking this advice in an effort to enjoy Thon more.

Craig Kamenjar (senior-mechanical engineering) has started preparing for Thon and intends to do even more as the event approaches.

"I am limiting my caffeine, and I plan to not drink the week before, as well as getting into a better sleeping habit a week beforehand," he said.

Lauren Magnotta (senior-biology), Kamenjar's dance partner for Thon, intends to increase her exercise but said these changes are not the only way to succeed at Thon.

"I will definitely go to the gym four or five times a week, just an extra day or two from usual, in preparation for Thon," she said. "Getting through Thon is a mindset thing, too; you can't just prepare and get through it. Negative energy will get you nowhere."

Theresa Begly (senior-media studies) started some preparations for Thon as early as winter break.

"I gave up caffeine around Christmas, but I won't be exercising any more and won't be giving up alcohol until the week before," she said.