[lindsayhope]

I've been on the program for about a week now. I'm in college and I find myself slipping up close to every day. Not in a terrible way, but I'm not entirely sugar and carb free. I have a very small room and was wondering if I could get some suggestions as to what to keep in the room for snacks and food. We only have a microwave and a minifridge to work with. Could someone please help? I'd really appreciate it. I'd like to make this work for me, to make a lifestyle change, but I seem to be stuck. Thank you for your comments!

[emilyatau]

Are you doing Atkins or South Beach? I'm in college, too, and I've found that its much easier just to cut calories and try to eat healthy foods than to do one of the restrictive diets. That way, I can eat fruits and veggies that are easy to keep in a dorm room without worrying about the grams of carbs I'm consuming.

Another thing that is VERY hard on college campuses is avoiding soft drinks like coke and pepsi. And its also hard to keep yourself from drinking a cup of coffee during every class. Keep a bottle of water with you all the time and you'll cut out a lot of calories and sugar just by avoiding those drinks.

[SeekInnerThinChick]

I agree with everything Emily says, although when I was in college, many moons ago, I couldn't get by without caffeine-- but I drink coffee without sugar and diet soda.

How is your exercise? I know it's hard to find the time, but it's so much easier to lose if you do some aerobic work every day, and most colleges have a gym. And gentle aerobic work will actually give you more energy over time, which makes life easier. I would also study more in the library if I were you, since you can't eat there. If you're in the dorm, and the refrigerator is right there, it's all too easy to munch while you study. Just be careful about your personal security, especially walking back to the dorm after dark.

[lindsayhope]

Thanks for your suggestions! I'm doing Sugar Busters and its proving to be slightly more frustrating than I want it to be. I've gotten really good at not drinking sodas, but there is definitely the temptation that I have to fight during and after every class. I like your suggestion about just eating more healthfully, the only problem I have is that I'm an emotional eater, so some days its easy for me to convince myself that a piece of cake or half a box of cookies is on my program! I'm gonna keep trying and its good to hear from another college student. So many of the girls I go to school with are so skinny and its really frustrating to look at them all eating their okra and french fries while I munching on steamed broccoli! Thanks for the input!

[lindsayhope]

Dear seekinnerthinchick,
Thanks for your suggestions and I like your screenname! I like studying in the library, so I'll try to do it more often. We don't keep much food in the fridge, but there's a little minimart about 30 feet from my building, so that can be tempting, definitely! I try to exercise everyday, either an aerobics class or 25-45 minutes of cardio. I haven't been the best about it this week, but I usually get in somewhere between 3-5 days a week. I appreciate your suggestions, I kept checking back and no one had said anything so I was getting nervous that no one could help. Thanks for your comments they've helped a lot!

[lindsayhope]

dear emilyatau, that above post is for you! i forgot to write that here!

[emilyatau]

haha, anytime lindsay! Does your college offer fitness classes for credit? I've taken golf, walking and jogging, weight training, and aerobics as one-credit classes - so not only was I getting exercise, if I didn't go, they effected my GPA. They were fun, and aerobics wasn't something I had tried before so I found something new that I really like, too.

I know EXACTLY what you mean about emotional eating. I never had great eating habits to begin with, but when I broke up with my high school boyfriend halfway through freshman year (as we all inevitably do) Ben&Jerry's, Betty Crocker, and Little Debbie joined my circle of friends. Not only was I overeating, I was causing everyone around me to overeat too! What a terrible friend I was! I still find that if I buy a package of cookies, I won't ration them out in "serving sizes" or eat them in moderation, I'll eat them ALL in one sitting. I've found that its hard, but I just simply can't have those things around me.

One thing that really helped me - sophomore year I found a "running buddy" and one of us was always motivating the other so we made sure to run each day. Looking back, we should have been monitoring each other's eating habits, too. Maybe you could find a supportive friend or someone who wants to lose weight as well who can hold you accountable for your food choices.

WHEW, one more thing. Try www.fitday.com - when you have things right in front of you and you can see your progress, it really helps!

Glad to pass along my hard learned advice!