Grad Student Pressure

Law student here, so I feel you. I lost 20 pounds before law school using MFP and now I've gained it back because balancing school and a healthy lifestyle is so hard. We can do it, though!

For me I have to set realistic goals - for example, before law school I worked out six days a week, now I'm happy with three or four days. I work out both days during the weekend since I don't have school then, and then I just have to work it in on two days during the week. I usually end up working out at night because that's the only time I have any spare time. I also don't aim for workouts that are too long - usually only 30 minutes or maybe an hour on the weekends.

Healthy eating is the other struggle. I'm usually gone from home about 14 hours of the day, during prime lunch and dinner hours. I often don't get home until around 11pm and there's no way I'm cooking a meal during that time. So I have to make a lot of healthy choices when eating away from home. I usually try to get a soup or salad, though sometimes I'll splurge and get pizza or something. No one's perfect On the weekends I try to cook all my meals at home since that's when I'm home studying anyway.

Doing all of this and tracking everything with MFP, I'm seeing progress. It's a pain in the butt but I know it will be worth it when I'm back at my goal weight and I have a shiny law degree I'm sending you a friend request!

cheshirecatastrophe wrote: »

(2) Find places to study and write with no food around.

(3) Stress-drink diet soda instead of stress eating.

These two are favorites of mine, as well! I've recently become kind of addicted to diet Snapple teas...

Also, I try not to keep junk food in the house. So when I'm home (which is rare anyway), I'm not stress-snacking.

When I was in school, I was in very good condition. I was also working and had three children, so it was a lot to juggle.

I made it a point to go to the gym every single morning before my day began. And that, at times, meant 5:30 am.

Working out first thing in the morning set the tone for the entire day.

I'm in pharmacy school, in the same boat. The first 6 months, totally gained back all I had lost through stress eating. Then, I started on here, started up c25k again, but I do resort to stress eating the day before tests. The latest one, I only took 2 hershey kisses with me to school, and the rest of the food I took (besides my lunch) was veggies. I was mad at myself later for only taking 2 kisses, but I made it work! And like everyone else is saying, you just have to make time. Take a small break, walk around campus, and then jump back in to studying- it'll help you focus better.

I think I put on about 25 pounds in grad school (5 years counting internship) and really had no idea it had happened until afterwards.

Getting a workout in at the beginning of the day before anything can interfere is really helpful. It centers you for the day. Also I portion all my snack foods as soon as I bring them in the house. That way I can't overdo. I understand the stress eating. Also take 10 minute breaks and walk, clear your mind and come back to work. You will be surprised as to how much more you will get accomplished.

Second semester grad student here. I feel your pain! I find myself eating way too much junk food, because it's quick. And when you never feel like you have enough time in the day, quick can take priority over healthy. Planning ahead is the only thing that works for me. I plan breakfasts on the go, lunches I can take with me, and crockpot dinners that are ready when I get back. Otherwise, I'd live off pizza and beer until after finals.

Organise yourself better, learn to study smarter, studying is a skill. If you get into the mindset that students are the busiest people on the planet, then youll start believing it.

Incorporate more movement into every day life, but youll get the workouts done if losing weight is important enough for you. You might want to tighten your logging first, check you are weighing and you have the basic math right.

For the workouts plan them, so you make best use of your time and put some effort in so you get the most out of them. I see lost of people wandering round aimlessly, on their mobiles or just doing 5 minutes. If you plan and know what you are doing you cna get in and out.

Dont forget a good workout has many positive effects, such as sending yourself the message you are on track, you are making the effort and I find once ive done whats needed I can focus on other things. Exercise has a good stressbusting effect.

If you are going to comfort eat because you have exams or essays to hand in, then find lower or no calorie alternatives or just prelog food to take it out of the equation. You might also wnat to make sure you shop well and have all the ingredients so you dont eat other stuff that just happens to be there. If you have to stress eat, then stress eat and just deal with the consequences. I wouldnt worry about it though. Is it going to happen often? Throughout your degree or just at exams?

I'm doing a MSc and know what you mean. I find getting up and working out is good as it gets me out of my flat and focused on something other than school work. I have no other brilliant advice that others haven't said, but just know that you got this!