We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

success in college

cdalt24
cdalt24 Posts: 55
edited January 4 in Health and Weight Loss
Hey guys! So I've always been really active. I love working out and before I came to college I worked out six times a week. Once I got here, I found my motivation to dwindle immensely. I eat worse than I ever have and don't work out as often as I would like. I noticed I definitely put on weight, so I try to get back into my old routine. I'll eat healthy and work out Monday through Wednesday, but once Thursday comes around I flake out and go back to not working out/eating poorly. I'm getting really disappointed in myself and don't want to gain the cliche freshman fifteen. Every Monday I'll be extremely motivated and determined, but without a doubt, that motivation only lasts until Wednesday... every single time. Does anyone have advice? I'm sick of feeling bad about myself and self-conscious. I don't know what it is, but I just can't seem to get back into the swing of things.

Replies

  • Emma422
    Emma422 Posts: 71 Member
    I faced the same issue my freshmen year of college as well. Try setting mini weekly goals like working out 4 times this week or something. I have a calendar up in my room and I have a huge book of lisa frank stickers and i give myself a different sticker for each type of exercise i do and put it on the calendar. It really keeps me going i love seeing a whole month full of stickers and i hate seeing a blank day though they happen occasionally. also I'm doing this new thing to keep positive thoughts and keep my goal in sight by posting a new motivational quote hand written mini poster on my wall everyday :) hope this helps.
  • spazzyshorty
    spazzyshorty Posts: 24
    I'm currently in my senior year and know how hard it is to fit in workouts!

    Fitness tips: Wake up just a little bit earlier on workout days-- I like to schedule my blocks of workout time so it's harder for me to back out. For example, if I make a chart on Sunday that shows I'm running on MWF, I'm way less likely to flake than if I simply decide spur of the moment. Carry your workout clothes and water bottle. Give yourself some motivation: after x workouts, buy (whatever small thing you want to buy). If you commute to campus, you can always bike. Don't take public trans!

    Eating tips: Do you eat in a buffet-style dining hall? Eat a whole plate of veggies or fruit before each dinner-- you'd be surprised at how much you really don't need to eat those fries/pasta/whatever. Stock up your dorm room and your bag with extra fruit or nut snacks, so you won't need to hit up a vending machine between classes. I find that I tend to overeat if I've been hungry all day, and eating regular small meals can prevent headaches too. Basically, always carry a healthy snack, because if you don't need it I'm sure you can find a busy friend who will be really grateful for that apple!
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    What kinds of behavior or activities are you engaging in at the end of the week which makes you fall off the wagon? Going out with friends?
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    How is your logging? I would make step 1 logging accurately- no matter what you end up doing on the weekends. If it's drinking, keep track and log it. If it's late night pizza, log it. Whatever it is, I would make that your priority to figure out where you stand.

    Step 2 is to not be so rigid....It sounds like you strive for a level of perfection that you don't feel comfortable maintaining, so you get sick of it and quit week after week. I would maybe try dialing back your expectations of what a healthy lifestyle entails- you don't need to work out constantly and eat perfect. You can be mostly good most of the time. Get the logging in order, and you'll have a great start.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories