Help - Starting College Tomorrow!

havs23

I'm going off to college tomorrow and would love to hear some advice and tips you all might have... how to keep eating well when there's a bunch of fatty foods around, when and how to exercise, how to stay motivated, stuff like that. I'm really proud of how far I've come in the last few months with MFP and I don't want to lose it just because I'm moving out of the house and starting school again.

Thanks everyone!

Janie5605

You know what you need to do so just trust yourself. Ya I'm sure it's going to be hard but just know you can do it. Volunteer to be the DD if you and friends are going out that way you cant indulge in high calorie drinks (maybe not every time haha) and i'm sure the on campus food has plenty of healthy options. I know my college sure did...not that i ate them which is why i'm here 3 yrs later.

Just know you can do it. there is no excuse not to. maybe you wont lose as much as u have been averaging but anything DOWN is a huge win! Good luck and enjoy your college experience! I know you can stick with it!! also maybe take some sort of PE class...i love love loved Pilates in college

sarahazelnut99

Hii!!! it depends on your situation! how old are you, where are you living, do you have an income?

try bringing your own food, my classes are scheduled together so i dont have time to run out and get fast food. i have to bring food from home so im going to try to make myself a sandwich before i go to class. i bought some granola bars too...there not my favorite food in the world but there easy. apples are wonderful too because there not messy :-) good luck and dont worry to much! its not like everything you learned from this site will vanish and youll gain your freshmen 15 lol.

sameheartnewbeat

Do not fret, I am in my second year of college and I lost weight in my first year. The Freshman 15 is fairly easy to avoid considering you will be doing a lot of walking on campus, and if you do not have a car on campus, then you will be more inclined to talk just about everywhere you need to go.
Assuming you are living on campus, try to bring as much food and snacks from home as possible. Invest in a microwave and a mini refrigerator. Eat meals at the cafeteria as little as possible and trust your judgment on what is good for you and what is not. I'm sure your school has a gym so you'll have a free membership. Join a sports or intramural club to stay active, or go explore the town around campus with friends to keep yourself busy
Feel free to add me. Good luck with school. I'm sure you will be just fine

mmoonstars

I'd say if you are eating in a dining hall (which I know was my downfall more than the bad food)- is portion control, they serve you probably double what you need to eat on the carb/protien end. Take advantage of the salad bar (they should have one if they are worth anything).
Choose one meal of the four options, that's what we had at least, don't get some of each. You can always ask friends for a bite to see what the other things are like. In general from college, always ask friends who have gotten stuff first what's good that meal that way you don't get stuck with a bad choice. Plus usually there's always a PB&J station if all else fails on whole grain bread it's not a bad option.

I'd say try not to order the chicken strips/fries etc, you know what the healthy options are, it's just a matter of actively choosing them, which I know is the hard part. Maybe split an unhealthier option with a friend if you want that taste and get a veggie to go with it. Look at the ala carte options for grab and go healthy things, you'd be surprised.

For motivation/work outs I say get a work out buddy ASAP! and put working out in to your school/time schedule right now first week, so it's already planned for and you are used to using that time/not having it for study/social when things get busier later. And have fun! Go have that plate of fries at 2a sometimes at the local 24 hr hang out, those are some of the best conversations and memories, promise