Restarting; Need to get healthy

doggydolph

Hello, I am a 21 (almost 22,) female college student. I am currently in my senior year, with another year yet to go (yay 5 year plan). I am a Biolgical Sciences Secondary Education, Japanese Language/Culture Double Major (I know interesting combination). I have come on here a few times over the last few years, but have not had success in sticking to things.

However, I NEED to lose weight to get healthy. I was recently diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) , meaning that my hormones, carbohydrate, and lipid management is not functioning properly (as accordance with the general populus). This can be helped/managed better by weight loss, as my doctors tell me. I also had ankle surgery this past year, and have been told i am pre diabetic (still can be avoided). I also want to lose the weight for myself, that is the main reason.

The last semester (fall semester) was rough with classes, (14 credit hours, 9 in science, 1 in honors japanese independent study, 4 in Chinese Year 1), and a campus job (night time dorm security, working from 1130pm to 630am), of approximately 20 hours-30 hours per week.

Because of this schedule, I did not have time to cook for myself, and relied on the dining center on campus for most of my meals. I had gotten in to a bad habit of eating one meal a day (i know that is bad, but is was soo busy, and eating was no longer the most important thing to me).

Although i had reached a milestone of food not being my vice (Yay), i was still being bad to my body. Over the course of the semester though, my diet slowly changed; from eating ice cream with added chocolate sauce reese cup pieced and snicker pieces (now i cant stand eating it anymore, after two bites my body says no more), after every meal at the dining center to eating yogurt with real berries and granola (yum). I also am enjoying healthier options, like grilled chicken breasts, plain spinach, veggie burgers, whole wheat pasta with marinra sauce (my body hates beef now), fish etc.

I have set myself up for good things in the upcoming year, I have signed up for a swimming class to get me started on an excercise schedule (and i love swimming). I have also stocked my fridge with healthy foods and although i enjoy the occasional sweets, i dont crave them anymore.

wtbyerdocmd

I remember those days. I did my premed bachelors in 3 years and worked as well but you can do it. the caf normally has salad bars and some gilled chicken. As a Physician I see patients with PCOS and it is a tough one. Have they put you on metformin? That may actually help you lose weight by stabilizing your insulin/utilizing it better within the body. Also although I am not a proponent of restricting any macronutrient you need to be very wise regarding your carbohydrate choices. I would stay away from grains and sugars as much as possible and use fruits and vegetables as your main source. Walking to classes around campus is exercise but I would also try and squeeze in even 30 minutes of weight training a3 x per week to build muscle which again will help insulin sensitivity as well as increase your metabolism.

good luck

doggydolph

Thank you for responding. They have not put me on the metaformin yet. I was just offically diagnosed with it back in November. So far my doctor has put me on a 100mg 2x daily spironolactone regimine. She wants to do this first for two months before she starts me on anything else.

Regarding the food, i do eat from the salad bar, but i just get spinach, sometimes carrots/tomatos/crasins on top w/o dressing ( i have not been able to stand salad dressings since i got back from Japan in June 2009, but it is probably for the better). I also enjoy they grilled chicken breasts or grilled turkey burgers or grilled veggie burgers on offer. I did cut beef out of my diet because I always felt crummy after eating it. As towards carbohydrates, my one vice is pasta, i love it. Although i have been trying to cut back on it, and mixing other ingredients in besides just sauce and the pasta, it has been hard. I do love most fruits, and almost all veggies (except cauliflower and brussel sprouts).

I have also signed up for the swimming classes to help aid in my excercise, and since they just built a new rec center, and made it avaliable to all students, i will probably be spending more time there ( i set up my class schedule to have two days off per week to give time to excercise).

minesc

I can relate to the busy schedule with school and all. I also have PCOS. It is hard for me to keep healthy foods available throughout the semester and to find time to exercise when I need to be studying instead. I find I do better during the times that I make exercise and eating less calories the main priority. It is also easier for me when I am away from my kitchen when I am studying.

Glad you are restarting! Congratulations on your school work as well.

CM