How to manage weight at university - any ideas?

orangesmarties
orangesmarties Posts: 49 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all,
I am really happy with my weight loss results so far, and want to keep losing about 5-20 lbs more. I feel so encouraged and happy about my weight for the first time in years!
However. I go to university in 8 days, and I want to be able to monitor my weight, if only to make sure I'm staying healthy. I weigh myself everyday at the moment for better or for worse. I just find it helps me to keep track of what's working and what's not, and where I need to be more vigilant. I'm a tad reluctant to buy a scale to take up with me, seeing as they are expensive and heavy. But I think weighing everyday is a real motivator and quite positive thing for me. Does anyone have any ideas of how I can monitor my weight as closely as I do now, without a scale in my room?
I'd also love to hear some tips from students who have managed to keep the weight off.
Thank you all :)

Replies

  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Does your university have a wellness center or gym? That would have a scale.
    I was a student a long time ago -- the food in the cafeteria then had lots of carbs.
    It is possible to keep losing weight --- watch your portions, look for the fruits and vegetables and lean proteins (breakfast usually has great options), and limit sweets and anything deep fried. Watch the alcohol intake.
  • logg1e
    logg1e Posts: 1,208 Member
    I'd just buy some scales. Buy an electric set, they'll be slim enough to slip under your bed or similar.
  • logg1e
    logg1e Posts: 1,208 Member
    Are you self-catering?
  • kandyice1
    kandyice1 Posts: 48 Member
    As RodaRose mentioned, seek out your school's fitness center. Try to stay as active as possible and make healthy food choices. Usually the cafeterias offer a salad bar of some sort and stick to lean meats like turkey, chicken, etc. Best of luck in school.
  • cheripugh1
    cheripugh1 Posts: 357 Member
    I go to UCF they have a (free) full gym and wellness center on the main campus, I'm at a Regional and we have full use of a pool and fitness center of the adjoining local college. It was not free if you were a college student but it is paid for and free for UCF regional students. Regardless even if it's not free I'm sure they will let you weigh in, if not find a grocery store that has one of those big scales and use that puppy!

    MOST Colleges and University's now have excellent healthy choices for you to pick from, or you simply prepare your own to bring with. At the College I rarely saw anyone carrying around a lunchbox/bag but at the U it is VERY common, we are often there ALL day and so financially it makes sense.

    I carry apple slices, you can buy them pre-packaged at the grocery store, IF they come with a dip, I skip it I'd rather the 30 calories then 70! Just make healthy choices no matter where you are or what is offered there are always better choices you can make. At fast food I don't get fries I get the fruit slices or a side salad... I get a Whopper Jr. no cheese it's more than enough! Pizza I get thin crust and 1/2 the sauce and cheese... simple choices. YOU are going to do just fine!
  • mulecanter
    mulecanter Posts: 1,792 Member
    Why is having a scale in your room an issue? Seems like a no-brainer to get yourself a scale. As far as weight control in school goes--just remember to control your portions, cafeteria buffets are very enticing and the urge to "get your money's worth" could be a trap.
  • orangesmarties
    orangesmarties Posts: 49 Member
    Why is having a scale in your room an issue? Seems like a no-brainer to get yourself a scale. As far as weight control in school goes--just remember to control your portions, cafeteria buffets are very enticing and the urge to "get your money's worth" could be a trap.
    Because scales are pretty expensive! And a massive faff to take to and from university, because they are heavy and delicate.
  • orangesmarties
    orangesmarties Posts: 49 Member
    Are you self-catering?
    Nope! That is one plus! I just worry that I won't have as much time to exercise, and that convenience will conquer health when I come to cook. Or just comfort eating :/
  • orangesmarties
    orangesmarties Posts: 49 Member
    Thank you everyone for your helpful responses! :)
  • shabaity
    shabaity Posts: 792 Member
    I've got this glass electronic scale where all the components, except the ones required for the actual weighing, are in a removable doodad about the size of a cell phone.
  • abbeyjones1994
    abbeyjones1994 Posts: 188 Member
    Hi! I just started my sophomore year (and rejoined MFP a few weeks before school started), but here's what's working for me so far:

    -I do use the fitness center at school every once in awhile, but if I don't have time to get up there, fitness videos on YouTube or Pinterest have saved me. I don't know how big your room is going to be (I live in an apartment, so I have a bit more room than a dorm), but even if you don't have a huge space to work out in, you can modify the movements in the videos so they're as big as your room allows.
    -When I do use the fitness center, it is to swim with the university swim club that I just became a member of. The point here is, if you can, find a club or program that combines socializing and meeting new people with some form of physical activity. I swam solo for awhile, and I've found it's so much easier working out while in a group.
    -If you are using a university meal plan and will be eating in the dorms, make the smartest choices you can. Some universities have their nutrition facts posted online. If not, you can never go wrong with the soup and salad bar, or any station that serves reasonable portions of meat, grains, and veggies. I frequented the stir fry place at my residence hall last year; chicken, brown rice, and tons of veggies (no sauce) was my go-to.
    -If you do have the ability to cook a little, it's much easier. Having an apartment and being able to make all my meals has completely changed how I eat. Again, it's a lot of chicken, rice, and veggies in different combinations, but you can always make it work for you.

    Feel free to add me! I'm looking to meet some more college-age MFPers! :)
  • logg1e
    logg1e Posts: 1,208 Member
    I would have thought self-catering would have been preferential, but I can see if there's lots of choice in the canteen then catered accommodation might be better.

    I must admit that I've never found scales to be heavy, but I can see they might be delicate. But you'll have other things like this, won't you? Hairdryer, alarm clock etc. How many times a year would you have to transport it?
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    Sorry dont know what cpuntry you are in but I dont think they are expensive. I cnat see why you are in such a faff about some scales. They are an importnat tool for you if you are that bothered about weight.

    When you go home between terms, then you can leave things in storage so you wont have to cart them back and forth. I also dont think they are that delicate.

    If you want some get some and dont worry about them. Get some from a discounter and if needed buy them in the city where your uni is located.

    Almost certainly if you have a gym and you will be going then they will have scales there.
  • myrtille87
    myrtille87 Posts: 122 Member
    I would get some scales - I have digital ones from Tesco and they were £10, so not expensive at all. Keep them in your room but take them to the bathroom to weigh yourself as they don't usually work properly on carpet.

    Definitely agree about joining the university sports centre (mine was pretty cheap, though we're talking 5-8 years ago) and finding a sport you like. I used to go swimming and climbing (uni had a great indoor climbing wall!) but another friend did loads of different fitness classes. You can also join societies - one of my housemates was in the walking/hiking club so went on lots of weekends away in the Peak District or Wales or wherever going on long walks.

    Get into healthy habits that will also help you to save money - walking or cycling to get to lectures, cooking healthy food from scratch not eating takeaways/ready meals, drinking water instead of pop.

    For food shopping, check out local markets. I sometimes used to walk to the city centre (4 miles), buy lots of cheap fruit and veg (they did these big bowls for £1 - might be pears or apricots, peppers, courgettes, mushrooms) and get the bus home.
  • chimpy123
    chimpy123 Posts: 40 Member
    I would recommend making exercising and eating healthy a priority. I gained a lot in school and it was because I would sacrifice the time for exercising and obtaining healthy food to study a little more. Worst. Decision. You may feel pressed for time and energy but make sure you exercise, even if you have to take your books to the gym and sit on an exercise bike and study.

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