Hello, everybody!
I thought when I got to college I would have a much easier time with healthy eating, but just the opposite turned out to be the case!! Initially I wound up eating a lot of meals at wierd times, sometimes as late as even 10 or 11 o'clock. I also found myself binging and overeating to deal with being sad, lonely, or homesick, which caused me to gain 5 lbs., bringing me up to 176 lbs. At 5'3, I think most of us can agree, that is far too much.
So I said, enough must be enough and tried to scale back my eating. A typical day for me looks like this:
breakfast- 1/2 grapefruit, medium portion scrambled eggs, 2 veggie sausage links
lunch- cup of soup, veggie sub, cookie
snack- fruit
dinner- Pasta w/ red sauce, a few veggie chick'n nuggets, salad (with some kind of crappy dressing) and probably a dish of ice cream.

As for exercise, I am only swimming 2 times a week combined with riding my bike all over campus, but not really doing too much else. I want to get into running again, but my schedule is really busy with classes, and I've been putting it off.
I guess I just need easy suggestions and words of encouragement. (or threats, maybe...:whip: I have a hectic life up here, I feel I am still getting used to being on my own, but the issue of my weight/health is just to the point that it must be addressed.
Thanks!
Linz :hump:

Rainbowmoon, hang in there. I gained a significant amount of weight my first year or so at school. My problem was there was a place where I could go and get an endless supply of food three times a day. Eating also became a social event because when I was in my dorm room I only saw my suitemates. So I'd hang out in the cafeteria longer than I normally would have sat at the table at home just to chat with my friends and end up snacking after I'd eaten. Scaling back is the first step. Stick with it and keep up the swimming/bike riding. You'll be fine ~ it's an emotional time. Once you get more settled you'll find that food is less and less on your mind. I got busier with stuff in the evenings and had less time to hang in the cafeteria. I also tightened up my daytime schedule to allow for less pig out/social time. Be well...

I gained some weight my first year too, but lost a lot my second year after learning to make healthier choices in the dining halls. We had a good salad/sandwich bar with hummus and whole-grain bread and things like that though, so it was easier for me.

Learn to Just Say No to desserts. I think this is the major downfall of most college students. Have dessert a couple times a week instead of every day.

You actually don't seem like you're eating enough to me. Are there beans you can eat on the salad bar? At lunch and dinner, have a really big salad with lots of beans, broccoli, peppers, all the good stuff. Make it a lot bigger than you normally would.

Add some fruit at dinner instead of the ice cream. Can you buy some cans of bean soup to heat up in your dorm, so that you can have healthy snack food rather than chips and snacks?

Don't worry, you'll figure it out in time. You're not doing so bad. College is a REALLY hard time for healthy eating (I'm on my fourth piece of toast of the day as we speak :) )

You didn't say how much of those foods you were eating, but it sure doesn't sound excessive to me!
Cutting back on desert is a good option, as it keeping up with the exercise...
Also, although this may be hard with eating at a cafeteria, maybe a grazing style of eating would work better for your metabolism, which would involve eating 4-5 small (healthy) meals a day. Or even just adding another healthy snack in there (fruit, veggies, some hummus etc)
What do you do for beverages? Do you drink alcohol, soda, milk or juice? If so, trying to do more tea or water for fewer liquid calories.

Lastly, don't stress yourself out about it. I'm sure you have enough stress in your life as is!

I'm probably not the person to give advice, but I will anyway.

I say, go ahead and eat sporadically. I noticed the kids that always tried to "make lunch" or "make dinner" tended to put on the pounds because they were eating at set times, rather than when they were hungry. You're in college. There will probably be all niters, late mornings, maybe some alcohol, maybe some random activities, parties, probably a lot of heavy walking. Basically it's a hectic schedule, so you should eat when you need food.

I don't know how your meal plan works, but at UM it's by points, not per meal. So one thing to do is to go and get a big meal full of take out, which, by Dining Hall standards, is really enough for two meals. So you can have leftovers if you've got a mini-fridge. Try to view the Dining Hall's food supply the same way you do at home - don't treat it as an endless fountain of food. Remember the starving children in Cambodia, ya know? Just don't eat because it's there. Eat because you need it. And when you are eating, remember it's cos ya need food! :)

Anyway, it doesn't matter, cos everyone puts on a good 15-20. :) By comparison, no one should notice.

Not everyone! :) Gaining lots of weight in college is not inevitable!

I think your biggest problem is that you aren't eating much between lunch and dinner, and you will binge on dinner in result. I would suggest a little something more than a piece of fruit. We all know that fruit is healthy, but it has a way of going right through your body and causing irregular insulin spikes. So, by the time you get to dinner, you are extremely hungry, and will eat a lot at dinner as a result. I suggest something with a little protein and fat, which should keep you satisfied until dinner.

One more thing, I suggest 5-6 meals. Divide it up so your total intake of calories by 6, and then eat that many calories per meal. For example, 1800/6 = 300 calories per meal. Don't wait until you are hungry! If you aren't hungry, you'll eat less, and that's a good thing. You'll think; I shouldn't be eating if I am not hungry! But that way, if you give your body small, managable intakes of food, it will take what it needs and use it. If you eat 3 meals a day, your body takes what it needs and will store the rest as fat.

Hang in there Rainbow! I can sorta relate. My first year in college, I gained some weight and it was noticeable since I'm generally a petite person. I think it was because I was soo active in HS, and then when I went to college my first year, I didn't exercise much and I'd sometimes eat a burger (since I was omni at the time), fries, a slice of pizza and a piece of chocolate cake just for dinner! Once I got more involved tho, and chose my meals a lot more reasonably, I lost more weight than I put on and have kept if off. So, like someone else said, once you get more involved and you start getting a lot more work to do, you won't even have time to eat as much. Your meals sound pretty ok to me, but i agree - try cutting some of the desserts and get in exercise that's convenient to your schedule. Like taking the stairs instead of an elevator, and walking more. Oh yeah - and try to drink LOTS of water instead of sugary juices or sodas. It's amazing what minor changes will do. But you'll be fine - it'll get better, I'm sure. :yes:

i got more fit in my first two years of college than i'd ever been in my life. then, the last two years (i was there for 5 total), i struggled with being upset and other things and gained weight. then, lost it all in law school again.

i was always on a regular sleep schedule (sleep is connected to weight loss/health too!), and i made sure that i got at least three snacks (one was full fat ice cream--in the afternoon, two were fruit) and three meals (two in the dining halls--lunch and dinner). I was an omnivore, but i ate healthy and was in great shape.

the main thing is finding your rhythm, making time to get enough exercise and sleep. :) once you get that, then you're doing well. (and eat more veggies!)

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and ideas...
I feel I am doing better in the cafeteria and just with my eating in general, mostly just trying to remember to only eat until I am full. I don't drink much, so its not a major issue for me, as alcohol is *very* caloric- when I do drink, I generally only have 2-3. I still need to develop a routine...it just feels hard to be admist this gastly homesickness/slight depression to really feel motivated to do ANYTHING. I know I just need to force it for awhile and eventually I'll get it. :)

Anyway, it doesn't matter, cos everyone puts on a good 15-20. :) By comparison, no one should notice.

I didn't gain any weight! And our meal hall is a fat trap.

But I would agree with Mollygoat about the dessert bit. Our's is set up that you're only allowed in 3 times a day on weekdays and 2 times on weekends, and you're not allowed to bring food out with you. They're setting the students up to gain really bad. I found the biggest thing that helped me was to eat whatever I wanted for breakfast and lunch and then stick to a really small dinner and don't snack in the evenings. As long as you're getting all your nutrition in there, that should at least keep you from gaining.

Can you get a body-image/nutrition buddy? S/he wouldn't have to eat with you, but s/he would be someone you could go to and would check up on you to make sure you're feeling positive about yourself and sticking with what you want to do food-wise.

Yeah....I have gained A LOT of weight from this first semester of college. It was not college's fault though. I stopped being vegan, ate way too much and too often (social and emotional eating) as well as gave up my daily exercise. The important thing is to do something about it. Do not fall into the trap that my friends fall into of "oh I just don't care." Take your time but clean up your diet and at least walk everyday if you can't run or go to the gym. Also, eat more spinach and romaine based salads full of veggies and beans instead of pasta, icecream, and sandwiches. This really helps with weight loss (at least for me anyway). I allow my self to eat as much fruits and veggies as I want and this helps too.

Hello, everybody!
I thought when I got to college I would have a much easier time with healthy eating, but just the opposite turned out to be the case!! Initially I wound up eating a lot of meals at wierd times, sometimes as late as even 10 or 11 o'clock. I also found myself binging and overeating to deal with being sad, lonely, or homesick, which caused me to gain 5 lbs., bringing me up to 176 lbs. At 5'3, I think most of us can agree, that is far too much.
So I said, enough must be enough and tried to scale back my eating. A typical day for me looks like this:
breakfast- 1/2 grapefruit, medium portion scrambled eggs, 2 veggie sausage links
lunch- cup of soup, veggie sub, cookie
snack- fruit
dinner- Pasta w/ red sauce, a few veggie chick'n nuggets, salad (with some kind of crappy dressing) and probably a dish of ice cream.

As for exercise, I am only swimming 2 times a week combined with riding my bike all over campus, but not really doing too much else. I want to get into running again, but my schedule is really busy with classes, and I've been putting it off.
I guess I just need easy suggestions and words of encouragement. (or threats, maybe...:whip: I have a hectic life up here, I feel I am still getting used to being on my own, but the issue of my weight/health is just to the point that it must be addressed.
Thanks!
Linz :hump:

Your daily diet doesn't look like all that much. I guess just take out the dessert and pasta and replace them with fruits and veggies. :) Does your school have a free gym? Try taking advantage of it if it does! :D And good luck. :hug:

Thanks everybody!
The comments about dessert are, of course, right on. And I am sure I could use to lose the pasta, but its one of the few things that are vegan and readily available, and even though I am not vegan, sometimes I do try not to eat animal products.
I am considering getting on the bandwagon with some type of diet "plan" come the new year, still not sure which one, but I am thinking maybe having something concrete and "proven" will help.
:)
Linz

I lost something like 10 lbs when i moved off campus and started cooking for myself, and not going out to restaurants all the time...

i have the opposite problem, there is almost nothing for me to eat at school, I am 5'3ish and when i came home for the last break not to long ago i weighed about 95 lbs :sick: its really hard because i want to go downstairs to the dining halls to eat with my friends, but there isnt anything i can eat (steamed vegetables and salad is all) its hard becacuse i want to be social, but im constantly avoiding this situation and eating alone in my room...its starting to catch up to me and im loosing friends :(

i have the opposite problem, there is almost nothing for me to eat at school, I am 5'3ish and when i came home for the last break not to long ago i weighed about 95 lbs :sick: its really hard because i want to go downstairs to the dining halls to eat with my friends, but there isnt anything i can eat (steamed vegetables and salad is all) its hard becacuse i want to be social, but im constantly avoiding this situation and eating alone in my room...its starting to catch up to me and im loosing friends :(

Some people on this board may not agree with me, but if veganism is causing this many problems for you, I think you should be lacto-ovo. As much as compassion to animals is important, you are important to, and need to be compassionate to yourself.
Where do you go to school? In my dining hall (at MSU) we have a big salad bar and steamed veggies, pasta, veggie soups, fake bacon, but thats about it. If I were you, I would consider eating some of the veggie meat analogues, like Gardenburgers, veggie meats, and stuff like that. Also, don't they ever serve pasta, rice, potatoes, stuff like this? What about cereal and soymilk? If nothing else, bring your own soymilk- generally, also, there are suggestion slips- if you are paying the bucks for a meal plan, the caf generally will try to accomodate you. So don't give up!!

I lost something like 10 lbs when i moved off campus and started cooking for myself, and not going out to restaurants all the time...

Next year I think I am going to try to do more cooking out of my room. I think maybe my junior year I will move off campus, but next year is too soon.

Can you get a body-image/nutrition buddy? S/he wouldn't have to eat with you, but s/he would be someone you could go to and would check up on you to make sure you're feeling positive about yourself and sticking with what you want to do food-wise.

I don't have a lot of friends up here at all, because I am sort of shy and I have a hard time with new people. I never used to be this way before I gained weight, but now I feel so self conscious sometimes.
I am hoping this girl from down my hall will at least start being my running buddy, we talked about it last week. That might help.

Some people on this board may not agree with me, but if veganism is causing this many problems for you, I think you should be lacto-ovo. As much as compassion to animals is important, you are important to, and need to be compassionate to yourself.
Where do you go to school? In my dining hall (at MSU) we have a big salad bar and steamed veggies, pasta, veggie soups, fake bacon, but thats about it. If I were you, I would consider eating some of the veggie meat analogues, like Gardenburgers, veggie meats, and stuff like that. Also, don't they ever serve pasta, rice, potatoes, stuff like this? What about cereal and soymilk? If nothing else, bring your own soymilk- generally, also, there are suggestion slips- if you are paying the bucks for a meal plan, the caf generally will try to accomodate you. So don't give up!!

I have thought about it because my parents talked to me about that, but i cant do that vegan is the only way for me. I go to eastern illinois university. The salad bar consists of lettuce and cucumbers pretty much. they usually have one steamed veggie but not always! sometimes is doused in cheese and stuff! The pasta has butter on it, and occasionally they have tomato soup. theres no soy milk either but sometimes ill use my own. I got rid of most of my meal plan for next semester though :-/

aww, i wish i could send you some yummy vegan food from my dining hall :(

Just wanted to say that you're not the only one in the same boat. I just started college too and its been very hard eating right. I go to Loyola University which has an ok selection of vegetarian foods. And making friends is hard but it just takes time. If you ever need an extra friend, I'm always available. :hi:

College is tough. My first year away, I went from 180 to like 230 lbs. No joke. It didn't help that I had an ectomorphic girlfriend who could suck down junk food like a hoover and never gain an ounce (hate those people). I would have gained the weight without her tho. The dining hall fare was basically a hunk of Crisco with a garnish. (They served cheese fish one time :spew: )

We even had a vegetarian dining hall in the student union. Glops of cheese and some veggies floating in oil. Very nasty. The only year I didn't fight with my weight was my last year, because I moved into a student apartment and cooked for myself.

Yes, it is hard in college, with everything else going on, to get around eating poorly. Just do the best you can, try and limit your intake of the really gross stuff, and keep riding your bike. You'll feel better, look better, and live longer.

:up:

The Rev

It's probably best to choose a significant other who is into being physically fit. I have dated a few lazy, non-exercising people, and man, is it annoying. It's like I'm sitting there being healthy while they're not, and it's totally not worth it!

Go for the fit college boys, ladies! ;)