Weight loss and study :/

reenmelbs

Anyone else trying to lose a little and get good marks at the same time?

Last time I studied I ignored my eating habits completely and gained around 10-15kgs in a 1-2 year period. I chose to start my diet by making slow life style changes - mostly eating less. I am very glad that I did this gradually as it gave my body time to adjust properly and I'd lost about 7kgs which hasn't returned.

But I'm not there yet! Now is that last up-hill slog, the one everyone claims is most difficult. I have at least 5kgs to go. My old slim stomach is in sight! Now that I've just started my masters I better be extra vigilant not to return to bad habits from the past.

Has anyone actually managed to lose weight AND be a successful student?

DogsK

Dont know if this will help but a few years ago I started studying again for promotion. This meant working shift work full time then doing the study for the subjects. I let it rule my life. Work and study. I soon found it harder to concentrate, was starting to get very cranky and in general not a nice person to be around. I was then told my problem was time management. I had to make time to be physically active as well as the mental side of things. So I sat down,worked out a time table where I allotted time for exercise and relaxation. The end result I felt better, my grades improved cause my concentration improved and generally I was that bit nicer (or at least tolerable) to be around Hope this may offer you some ideas. I dont say it will work for everyone, but it worked for me. Just got to make time for you

rlodin

dude - I hear you! I was exactly the same, put around 15KG on from a brutal uni experience. unfortunately I have no good tips that have worked for me. I only started losing weight after I left uni.

The worst ones for me was eating bad food when I had to stay at uni late because I didn't prepare any good snacks. I guess if I could suggest anything it is to keep a healthy supply of food around - carrots celery, cucumbers, tomatos. Maybe some low fat hummus (i highly recommend you home make it to suit your tastes, it only takes around 10 mins to do!). if they have a fridge, stick some yoghurt in there, maybe lean cuisines (or biggest loser meals like i did).

also if there is a uni gym close by, and you are not a member, it might be worth joining that to have a close place to excersise and still have a shower etc. so you can go back to study.

Best of luck with it and I wish you all the best!

reenmelbs

Thanks for ideas!

I think I'll just need to be patient with myself and not give up all together if I have a bad day or even a whole week where I feel like things are sliding. I'll probably need to eat a decent amount of good foods to avoid those naughty things that all the canteens offer! My brain gets super tired quickly when studying and that tends to make me over eat or go for heavy rich foods ( like a brownie with my coffee).

Last time I studied I KNEW I was getting fat but thought that I'd just deal with it later as uni was more important, I felt that way until one morning I woke up with some fresh stretch marks on my hips, real nice and purple. Learnt the hard way that health is something which needs to be maintained and I'm STILL working at getting my health back years after.

Hopefully in a few months I'll be posting about my success

Good luck to everyone else out there as well!

carrotstick2012

I gained weight while studying but when I started my masters I made exercise a priority. It's easy to think you have to get on with study and have so many readings but I find a study more efficiently when I am fit anyway. I managed to lose quite a bit the first semester by making good food choices and exercising most days. And still got HDs. You can do it. :-)

salxtai

Just do what you can

Fit in exercise when you can - I drag (mum helps most mornings) myself 1.5 hrs earlier out of bed to go to the gym before class because I'm no morning person so its not like study will get done if I stay home.

I've switched to sugarfree energy drinks instead of coffee - got sick of instant, for starters.

Mix in a protein drink as lunch if I've been on my butt all day and not overly hungry.


etc

james_tew

I'm not in the exact same scenario but I am studying external whilst working a full day. I am however very lucky in that my boss lets me go to the gym during the day instead of having a lunch break. At the moment I'm working a desk job, so every half an hour I get up and do 10 push ups. Yes everyone looks at me like I'm a weirdo but hey. I also spend about 1 hour each night working out my food for the next day. Prior planning prevents piss poor performance. Best investment I made, one of those coolie bags with a couple of those refreezable ice packs.

Good luck!

CassieReannan

Lately i have been procrastinating on MFP all day and not doing my nursing essay.
I think it can be balanced but meh! I hate uni sometimes!!!!!!!

carrotstick2012

I'm about to get underway for the day. I'll take an exercise break when I need one. :-)

Misdy

I'm having this problem now Working full time, studying part time externally, eating healthy and finding time to exercise. It's a real balancing act! I haven't been to the gym for 3 weeks now and thankfully my food choices have been good enough to sustain my weight loss. Just need to figure out a way to squeeze that extra hour back into my day!

spyder_rose

Has anyone actually managed to lose weight AND be a successful student?

I would have to say I was my fittest (post high school) when I was working 5 days a week full time (10 hour days), part time over the weekend and 2 nights a week (so in total, I was working up to 70 hours a week - no joke. sometimes even 80)... and I was also studying at university part time, externally.

I got distinctions and lost weight. I was up at 5am religiously and went for a run around the lake with my friend (who lived near me at the time). When I got home I did simple exercises like crunches, push ups, squats, lunges and had a small set of weights. I then stretched, showered, and was at work by 8am. Would have breakfast at my desk, lunch at my desk and often had a horrible dinner (as my part time job was running/supervising a cafe)... I would go to bed at 11pm... If I had an assignment due or something, I would often go to sleep at 1 or 2am and still got up at 5am.

I looked good. I felt great. Even though I suffer from an underactive thyroid and non-specific lymphocytosis (meaning I get infections/ill very easily and takes me a lot longer to recover, as my body thinks it's already fighting off an infection that does not exist... or at least, cannot be found...)

The thing that stopped me from continuing that was a massive bout of depression. My best friend committed suicide, then my sister and nephew nearly died (the next week). I still struggle ... my best friend would be devastated at me some days though - she was a dietician...

I am now slack compared to this, only working 5 days a week (in an awesome job) and studying part time, with a small business on the side, but I have slackened off.. I want to change this again though...

If I could do it then, you can do it now.. and so can I... Hopefully

Good luck!!!!

randomlycastle

I've usually found it easier to lose weight while studying. When I was at TAFE, I would have healthy food in my bag for lunch, and I took the buses which added an extra 40-60 mins walk (depending on which route I took) every weekday. But I didn't have any children then. When I was studying my Cert 4 in Business while working, I found it easy to eat well, but not to exercise.

CassieReannan

I've usually found it easier to lose weight while studying. When I was at TAFE, I would have healthy food in my bag for lunch, and I took the buses which added an extra 40-60 mins walk (depending on which route I took) every weekday. But I didn't have any children then. When I was studying my Cert 4 in Business while working, I found it easy to eat well, but not to exercise.

I find it worse because of all the amazing food around the uni cafe... lol

mariagabriella

I gained 10kg during my HSC!
I've almost lost all of it... 2+ years later!

I always bring my own food to uni, I find that helps. Always bring extra, it's better to bring food home then come home hungry or eating uni food! Also prioritise exercise! Try not to get too caught up doing uni work, ensure you have made enough time free in your day to exercise. Health > grades!