[bubblegoose22]

Hi everyone!

I'm a 21 year old college senior and I'm graduating this May. I am so glad I found this site as I finally feel that I am ready to make a change in my life!

Growing up I was a state ranked competitive swimmer and the captain of my Varsity swim team. I was never skinny, but I was certainly never overweight- I was toned, strong and overall happy with myself.

When I got accepted to college I opted not to join the swim team at my school. Swimming never really allowed me as much social freedom as I wanted. Lets just say I found that freedom and more in college and not in the most healthy way.

My weight was never a real concern to me during college until this year. Although I was certainly overweight for the majority of college ( anywehre between 170~185 at 5'6 at various points) I never felt bad about myself. I am fortunate enough to carry my weight pretty well but at the same time it is a curse because I can ignore weight gain and the fact that I'm eating in a very unhealthy way.

I spent the spring of last year studying in Russia and that is where I really ran into trouble. I shot up 30 lbs in the course of almost 6 months. I currently weigh 217, the heaviest I have ever been and I am really feeling the effects. I have back pain, stretch marks have appeared on my breasts, sides and thighs and I just feel generally uncomfortable. While I am not the healthiest of eaters, I do not really snack. My issue is portion control. I can put away enormous amounts of food and I love to cook which makes it even harder.

However, I feel that my situation runs a little bit deeper than just my eating habits. Firstly, I completely stopped all exercising when I went to college. And I mean I do nothing. I hate to exercise and the thought of a pool used to make me cringe, which is terrible because that is where some of my best memories and life lessons have come from!!

But in addition to my sedentary lifestyle I have another problem that I believe has a lot to do with my weight gain. When I got to school, I was lucky enough to find a great group of friends, but since day one we have been party girls. I began what I basically consider to be binge drinking every weekend starting my freshman year and haven't looked back since. (By now I can easily chug back 10 beers and a few shots in a night and be drunk, its to the point where I never ever know exactly how much I drink on a given weekend night.) Now that I am 21 AND a senior this problem has only gotten worse as I can buy what I want to drink when I want it and everyone else is ready to go out to the bars on a whim.

My drinking disgusts me and I know how bad it is not only for my health and safety but my weight. In addition to my drinking habits, I smoke about 2 packs of cigarettes a week on a good week. I live with the constant guilt of my bad habits (drinking and smoking) and I am struggling desperately to cut back on both.

I do not want to be an unhappy, unmotivated, overweight, heavy boozing, smoker for the rest of my life! That is simply not me!! It amazes me how I got to this place sometimes. All I know is that I am ready to hoist myself out of it!!!

So all in all, I am starting this journey to feel better about my body and my life choices. I know that I am ready this time. I have tried to diet and failed hundreds of times before, but this is a true life change, I can feel it. It is as if there is some invisible foce guiding me. I just need to trust in it and believe in myself.

Goodbye over indulging, Hello healthy, smart choices!!!!

This seems like a wonderful community and I am very excited to share my progress with all of you and learn from you as well!

[GoldfrostDazzlefluff]

Hello Bubblegoose! Just on the topic of alcohol, my 67-year-old dad likes to have his cocktails. He's 6'2" and weighed about 335. He changed absolutely nothing in his eating or exercise - just simply quitting the booze for one month made him drop 33 pounds.

Seeing those results, I stopped. (I will indulge a bit for Christmas and New Years) but I just recently calculated that I was drinking 4,320 calories per week. I never overeat when or after I drink, but I had no idea how many calories I drank. I am looking forward to some good results just from leaving the alcohol alone. I'm sure you will have some, also!

If you haven't already, sign onto the December Weight Loss Challenge! Best of luck to you, I think this is a good place, too!

[missheatherlee]

I know just what you mean when it comes to drinking. I'm 23 and when I was drinking regularly I could easily drink a whole bottle of jager on top of shots of whatever and.beer. I never realized how many calories were in what I was drinking. I havnt drank since July when I got extremely sick for drink a whole bottle of vodka,malibu rum, and shots. My drinking could have easily gotten out of control seeing as how no matter how much I drink i never get a hang over and the only time its made me sick was July. Now that I very rarely drink i feel so much better and can tell a big difference in my body. It can be hard to cut back or quit drinking but if you ever need to talk about it you can message me. I am also just starting out on a weight loss journey and extra support never hurts

[RHay]

Been there! I definitely gained the freshman 15. The dining commons is a great way to gain calories. It's buffet style and there are so many options. My suggestion is to seek out the healthy foods in the commons such as the salad bar. Just be careful with your drink selections on the weekends. Instead of binge drinking, only have 2 drinks with vodka and diet coke to save on the calories. I suggest Voli light or belevedere. Join some workout classes or go to the gym on the regular with your buddies. Just wanted to get out my own tips on how to save calories during the college years. Good luck!

[Lost Musician]

Good luck with everything! I am a sophomore in college now and I have a hard time trying to fit healthy eatting habbits, exercise and everything else into my schedule. I don't drink or smoke, but I have a horrible portion control! I can pack away food, my family is italian so the food is amazing! And boy do I eat a lot of it! I also with a Sonic Drive-In and snacking on stuff there isn't good either! I feel your pain when you say you loved the pool. I used to be a volley ball player, loved the game! I moved and had to chose between band and volleyball, and i chose band since it was my career choice. When I went into High school I had the option of joining the team again, but being at 160 to 180 pounds that year, I thought it wasn't for me and stuck with the band. I wish I would have played again, now the thought of even trying to pick up a ball and play a round scares me. I always think about the worst, going out of breath, passing out being I am so out of shape.

Good luck with your journey! I hope everything turns out great in the end! I support you and hope to read more posts about your journey! Good luck Good Luck and Good luck!!!

-Lost Musician