Hi everyone. After creeping around this site for a few weeks I've finally decided to join. Looking around this site I've seen a lot of really inspirational success stories. Still, the past couple weeks have been my worst ever health wise. A little about me: I'm a 21 yr old college student from Louisiana. Living in Louisiana does not help with my weight loss goals. As a child, fried pork chops, fried catfish, and fried chicken were on the menu every week. My mom is one of those show love by cooking types. Vegetables and fruits were almost non-existant in my house unless covered in butter or cheese. Needless to say, I did not develop very good eating habits. Now that I'm in college I live about an hour away from home. Coming here is when I realized that I have no concept of what a balanced meal is. I grew up mostly eating meat because i didn't like anything else. Any remaining hunger was soothed with cake, cookies, or Ice cream. I guess my whole point is that I just don't know how to eat. I've tried looking up recipes and counting carbs and calories but it always leaves me frustrated. I'm a broke college kid so I can't afford half the ingredients and the other half I've never heard of. I usually just give up and go to taco bell to ease the stress of it all. Oh yeah, btw I'm a stress eater. The slightest feeling of anxiety and I run to the kitchen. So every term paper,midterm, and final = serious binge. Exercise is another issue. There's a gym on my campus. I go there about once every two weeks. I'm so intimidated by all the fit people that its taken me as long as 20 minutes to walk in the door at times. I guess I should mention that I'm 5'2 and about 230 pounds. Sorry to make this so long but I feel like I'm in crisis right now. Lately I've found myself waiting at the bottom of stairs until all the traffic clears so that I don't feel rushed on the walk up. I get winded tying my shoe. My knees and feet hurt all time. I'm 21 for goodness sake! I'm just scared. A lot of people compliment me on being well spoken and intelligent. I find it so hard to take this or any other compliment. When they say this I wonder "if I'm so smart why am I fat". Why don't I have control. My self-esteem is in the toilet and it has been for a very long time. It's so hard for me to think that I can accomplish any of my dreams if I can't even figure out how to get myself healthy. Again I'm sorry this is so long. I think this is just stuff that I needed to admit to myself. I'm really happy to have joined this site and i hope it's a positive step in my journey.

you have come to the perfect place for motivation and advice... I was the fat college kid...I'm still fat but I graduated this past semester. The truth is everyone at the gym is concerned with themselves, not very many people are concerned with the other people around them...its basic Psychology...Most people have no clue what you are wearing or how fat you are or if your socks even match. Most people are concerned with everyone else looking at them....when no one is even looking at anyone. You are at the gym to serve a purpose, to become healthy and lose weight... Dont worry about what other people think because those people dont matter. College food isnt the healthiest but there are always options and when there is a will there is a way. Good luck and let me know if you need any tips... I have been there done that

Hi and welcome to 3FC!

This is the best site for support, encouragement, advice, tips and more.

Good luck with your goals

Hugs
Michelle

Thanks you guys. Haleyislove what you said reminds me of something my therapist once told me "no one thinks about you as much as you think about yourself" I'll have to remember that next time I go to the gym. If any one has sugesstions about shopping healthy on a very limited budget that would be great.

Hello, Elaine21, and welcome to the forums.

Welcome Elaine! Its funny because Iam the same way about going to my college gym. I usually end up going to the YMCA instead just so I dont feel so uncomfortable. Even if you just end up starting slow like walking around campus at a decent pace its better then not going at all! Shopping on a budget is something I know it seems Iam always short of money...well I usually go in with a set mind like Iam going to get some fruit this week or veggies depending on my mood for that shopping day...only get as much as you think you will eat. FYI- if you end up going to Taco Bell there are healthier options that they have now...example the fresco menu! well if you ever need to chat or anything just drop me a message! Good Luck On Your Weight Loss Journey!!!

Welcome! I am glad you are joining us!

Cheers,

J

Elaine.... I studied Psychology in College... I tend to think like a therapist however it is very true... Most people are concerned with themselves more so than anything else. I'm a people watcher just because I find people intriguing however at the gym I have no clue who is there. I listen to my ipod and read a book while doing the eliptical... people think its impossible to read and workout but somehow I manage.

Another question... Do you eat in the dinning hall? and also look into what your campus offers... we had a free nutrionist that you could schedule an appointment with

Hi, Elaine! And welcome.

You asked about shopping and you seem overwhelmed. So I thought I would mention an idea that you will see here and there around this site -- just change one thing at a time, see how that works and then change another.

So, when it comes to shopping, maybe buy one thing that you wouldn't normally buy from the produce section. And since you're on a budget, consider the things that are the cheapest per pound. Since you're down south, you may find that local tomatoes are still cheap (our season is about running down) or it might be cabbage or zucchini. Then come home and do a search on the internet for recipes until you find something that sounds interesting and give it a try. Or post on this site down in the Food section and people will respond with their favorite ways of fixing tomatoes or zucchini or cabbage. If you like it, that's now in your repertoire, if you don't, try another method of fixing it.

Also, since you're a college student, you might try treating this like a class and doing a lot of research to learn what a balanced meal is -- you will find disagreement on that point, by the way, but it's still helpful to learn. I'm a librarian, so I'm doing a lot of reading. For you, I'd recommend the books by Judith Beck that are about how to change our behaviors using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques and books that are about healthy foods. Here are some healthy foods books I've liked:
The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth by Jonny Bowden
Any or all of the Superfoods books by Stephen Pratt

I haven't read it yet, but you might try What to Eat by Marion Nestle.

You've made a great first step by posting here! Keep making steps and seeing how they work for you and then make more steps.