I can SO relate!! One thing I read, though, made me think. Those people who you see eating anything they want probably don't do that when they are at home during the week. When you're not around, they are most likely exercising or eating healthy, and when they are at a party or a social event, that's their "cheat day."

Its also kinda like the student who gets all A's without cracking a book and the one who has to work real hard.

Friends and college did the same thing to me and my coworkers do it now. They act as if only people who are massivly overweight need to think about eating healthy. I try and tell them, I want to establsih good eating habits while I'm young. I want to maintain a healthy weight as a grow older and my motabolism changes. It's wondering that this group is a place where we can support each other in eating healthy. I sure haven't come across a whole lot of support out there. It's like they think the only people who eat healthy are celebrities and people with eating disorders.

I'm sure your friends don't have any malicious intentions. My suggestion would be to just not talk about health or eating healthy with them. When they ask what you want at a resturnat, tell them. If they try to pursuade you to get something else, be insistant, but don't say the word "healthy." I've done this around some of the friends in my life and it seems to work.

I'm sorry. I too was that girl a decade ago...and I'm paying for it now. I'm 5'3", 144 lbs, and it does NOT look good on me. I have healthy eating habits, I just need to do them.

What bugs me is everyone who tells me "you look great, why are you dieting?". Ay one have experience with that?

I can respond to this from both sides now, lol. I was once one of those girls who could eat anything and stay pretty trim. But now--I speak from the position of a late 20s, pre-medical student who struggles to shed the extra flab all along my body even when eating just right. It is a dramatic change and experience.

I know that frustration. I am in a post-baccalaureate pre-medical program and am older than most of the students on campus (I am 26, and most are 18-21). There are a lot of young women there, that eat and drink a lot, meanwhile maintaining their seemingly perfect, lean and fit bodies.

Ultimately, I recognize that I am getting older, and I can't depend on my teenage metabolism anymore. It eventually stops for everyone..or most people. You know? These fellow nursing students that you're talking about--well, one day they will face that change in metabolism, much like we did! There comes a time for everyone where they have to make a dietary change for some aspect of their health.

Keep this in mind too; you are a nursing student. What kind of health (eating, diet, etc.) habits do you wish to instill in your patients? Patients look to health professionals as a role model; you, maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise, will act as a positive role model for patients! Meanwhile, what kind of example are these other students setting for the patients? Health professionals are trying to encourage patients to be healthier, how can they ask if this if they, themselves, cannot or will not do it? Be proud of your healthier habits, despite the frustration that accompanies all of the hard work you put into staying/being healthy.

It is easier said than done to be enthusiastic about a situation like this. I often think about other students on campus who so easily maintain their fit bodies while I have to watch every calorie that goes into each meal now. But I know, that when I apply to medical school this year, I want to go into my interviews looking and feeling my best! I want to provide a positive representation of what medicine should be all about--taking care of your body, mind, and soul!

Also remember, your healthy eating and exercise will be beneficial in the long-run. You are what you eat! You will probably live a healthier, longer life, with less prescription medications at age 70/80+. My grandmother is a shining example of this. I mean, we don't have perfect genetics in the family by any means...but, she has generally been very good about her diet and exercise and is turning 90 next year, but does weight lifting, belly dancing, tai chi, etc. You name it! She still has all of her own teeth too! I mean, she does not have any prescription medication unless there is an immediate but temporary health problem. So--keep these things in mind when making all the effort that you do. It will pay off to take care of yourself early on! Just keep at it, stay strong, and try to perhaps encourage those other young women to do the same for themselves .