Hi!!

I'm Shaun. I'm 19 years old, kinda fat, and definitely in need of support. I weigh around 190ish pounds. I haven't checked the scale in a couple months, but I can definitely tell that... none... of my pants fit. Crap! What happened?! See, I'm this really cheery everything-is-just-clucky kinda gal so I guess I was all "Woo! I love baking! Anyone want some hot-out-of-the-oven cookies? Would you like some hot cocoa with that? *falls over self* *eats a couple cookies* Mmm... Cookies." It doesn't really help that both my parents are overweight... And I hear about how I'm going to be 300 pounds just like them if I keep eating the way I do. Which is this totally unhealthy eat-whenever, oh-man-that-looks-so-tasty... type of eating. And my boyfriend is totally overweight too, not by much, but he's not the healthiest of eaters so the people around me aren't healthy... And I'm not healthy... Anyways. I've got a bunch of weird healthy problems too! Damn chronic illnesses! I have this crazy thing called dyautonomia which basically means my heart is all "AHH!! You're working out!!! I don't know what to do!!" So I just pass out if I work out. AND on top of that, I totally have another wierd random weird illness called idiopathic intracranial hypertension (or psuedotumor cerebri) which means if I get to be 200 pounds I get too much spinal fluid and I get bad headaches. So its like two contradicting things... So I have GOT to lose some weight without exercising. Boy howdy, do I sound mopey or what?

Anyway. I have a cafeteria at my college (Go SCAD Bees!) But I never know how to eat healthy there. Salad bars sound really yucky, so all I eat is like... grilled cheese and pizza. I was thinking about a meal delivery thing, but then its more money on top of an-already expensive meal plan... Any college kids got a good way to survive the required meal plan thing?

How about you bakers? How do you satisfy baking cravings? I can't live without making cookies for other people... I don't necessarily have to eat them, but tasting along the way is totally required...

Help! I'm lost in the world of dieting and losing weight!

Hi Shaun -

Wow, I feel you on the baking thing. I chew gum while I bake and get them out of the house, and budget for ONE...include it in my calorie budget for the day, and move on. I eat the one and I get the rest packed up immediately. I still love to bake and do so regularly.

On eating healthfully in a college dining situation, there are SO many books out there with strategies for this. Try checking Amazon for books and planners customized to your particular situation.

Work with your physician to talk about what physical exercise you can do. Cardio may be out, but ask if you can consider strength training with light weights to build muscle, which will increase your metabolism without raising your heart rate. Be sure to check with your physician. Lots of people can lose weight with carefully controlled diet only, but it does require you to be a bit stricter than you might be if you were able to exercise.

Anyway, Can't wait to get to know you better.

Thanks for the welcome!

Your advice is excellent for baking. Chewing gum sounds like a great idea!

As for books about college dining... I'll definitely look for them.

I also get to talk with my doctor about losing weight sometime this week... Hopefully I can get a good plan started.


Unfortunately, I had the most major setback ever today... I'm not 190 like I thought... I'm actually 209!! ):