Why is hard to get my *kitten* together?

Hey all,

I was doing so well in terms of weight loss and healthy eating this summer. I was able to log pretty well for 90 days and i was able to lose a total of 10 pounds, Then I went back to school in September, and the habits I developed over the summer suddenly disappeared. I've gone berserk with eating and gained five pounds in a month!:grumble: I'll start out pretty well in the morning, but then lunch time will come along and i'll find that I've eaten a bajillion cookies or some other kind of junky food. I don't really know what to do. How can I stop myself from eating so much junk? Also, are there any tips you're willing to share so to help me get back on track?

Thanks!:flowerforyou:

Note: I'm studying Medicine, so it does require a lot of mental stamina and studying . I notice that when I study, I eat the most. I don't want to fail, but I don't want to return to my initial weight of 185+ pounds! So if you could help me with that, I think it would be the most beneficial.

Replies

  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    Hey all,

    I was doing so well in terms of weight loss and healthy eating this summer. I was able to log pretty well for 90 days and i was able to lose a total of 10 pounds, Then I went back to school in September, and the habits I developed over the summer suddenly disappeared. I've gone berserk with eating and gained five pounds in a month!:grumble: I'll start out pretty well in the morning, but then lunch time will come along and i'll find that I've eaten a bajillion cookies or some other kind of junky food. I don't really know what to do. How can I stop myself from eating so much junk? Also, are there any tips you're willing to share so to help me get back on track?

    Thanks!:flowerforyou:

    Note: I'm studying Medicine, so it does require a lot of mental stamina and studying . I notice that when I study, I eat the most. I don't want to fail, but I don't want to return to my initial weight of 185+ pounds! So if you could help me with that, I think it would be the most beneficial.

    What types of food are you eating when you are 'doing well'? Do you deny yourself any particular foods during those periods?
  • YoBecca
    YoBecca Posts: 167
    I hear ya - I was on a plateau for the entirety of law school. I think preplanning your food, and packing all meals/snacks in advance, is the best strategy. Plan, before you shop, what you're going to have everyday for breakfast, lunches for the week, and a few snacks you can alternate. Stick to what you've planned. It's those decisions we make in the moment, especially under the stress of the rest of your life, that sabotage us. Once you've eater everything you've planned, if you're still hungry, have a back-up snack in mind that is very low cal - like grape tomatoes, or fruit, etc. Then you'll have enough calories saved that you can be more creative with dinner, eat out, etc.

    Also, you most like eat the most when you study b/c it's habit, and b/c studying is boring. Find a different habit to use as a study break - like getting up and walking around the house for 2 minutes, or try a different way to stimulate yourself like drinking hot tea or crunching on ice. When I was studying and/or doing homework, eating breaks were almost like a ritual - you just have to find ways to replace those habits.
  • roliepolieolie
    roliepolieolie Posts: 37 Member
    Yea I pretty much try to avoid all sugary and carbohydrate-like foods because once I start, I can't really stop
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    Yea I pretty much try to avoid all sugary and carbohydrate-like foods because once I start, I can't really stop

    That's your problem. When you are logging and doing well, you need to learn to moderate those snacks that you will reach for when you are stressed and studying.

    I also suggest exercise on study days if you don't already. It will earn you more cals, and also make you sharper mentally.
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    I just looked at your diary. You are inconsistent at best. Get serious about logging everything.
  • roliepolieolie
    roliepolieolie Posts: 37 Member
    alright then, thanks! I'll try to be more consistent from now on... Thanks for the idea YoBecca
  • Try to pre-plan everything that you possibly can. That's the only way I can continue to stay on track in school. There are days when I'm out of my house from 7:30am - 8:30 pm and I pack a lunch, dinner, and snacks. Or I plan what kind of thing I can eat on campus if I don't have room/time to bring everything for the day. That way I have everything logged before I even eat for the day and I know what to expect and how much wiggle room I might have if I want to stress eat haha. I cook every morning because I'm sharing a fridge with 3 other people and there's not much room for leftovers, but you can always make big batches of whatever healthy meal you like and portion it out for later!
  • GingerLolita
    GingerLolita Posts: 738 Member
    I'm also a very busy student, so I understand your situation. As some others were saying, it really helps to plan all your meals and snacks in advance and bring things with you. I log what I will eat that day in the morning. During the weekend, morning, evening or whenever you're free, you can prepare healthy lunches and breakfasts so that you can grab and go when you're really busy. You should also pick out a couple of healthy, low-calorie options around campus that won't be damaging to your diet, so when you don't have time to cook or prepare food, you can stick to healthy eating.

    It's very hard to sit around studying all day and not eat! I had the same problem yesterday and I probably will today. Just try and stick to healthy foods, preferably low-calorie, and drink lots of water. It may also help to study away from your home so that you won't have access to as much food.