Hey all,

I am an 18(almost 19) year old male, college student. I weigh roughly 186(add 5-10 with clothes and pocket items etc), and am almost 6"2.

I realize this height/weight may be ideal for me BMI-wise, but I feel I just have too much going on in the stomach area. I am constantly busy with homework and other odds and ends that I rarely if ever have time to go work out. And even if I do, I often find I lack the motivation and will power to go do it - when I do, it is mostly just jogging/running for 10min. I tend to wear out quickly.

Basically, I want to get down to 175-180 for the moment, and as bad as it may sound, I do not know how much of that I will be able to do with pure exercise.

I look forward to the advice and support of whoever wishes to reply!
Also feel free to IM me on AIM: griffy208

Its time to raise your health up on your priority list. I go to school, work, and have a wife and son to spend time with. I still manage to fit in 4 days a week at the gym. Doesnt need to be anything long, Im usually there for 1 hour or less.

Agree with Tony here. Sounds like you need to get your mind right before anything else.

You have to WANT to do this. If you don't, you will never succeed, at least for any appreciable amount of time. Who wants temporary success? Not me, or anyone else I know for that matter.

If you want to look a certain way physique-wise, forever, you need to adopt this as a way of life.

I know med students who still find the time to improve their health and fitness.

Hmmm.... Thanks for the input!

My next question is though, how often would I need to run and for how long in order to see an effect? It does not have to be a rapid effect, but something I could start to notice soon.

Also, is limiting calorie intake something else I should strive for? Or the 4-6small meals instead of 3 big ones thing?

Anyway, I suppose I'll work on the motivation thing - I suppose another aspect of it is self-consciousness. Any easy way to get over that?

Thanks

What do you like to do? For me, I lift. I hate running and dont know many who disagree.

Diet will make or break you. However you dont need to restrict to the point where you're getting frustrated and unhappy with eating. 4-8 meals is a good way to eat that always keeps you full and helps fight against the after lunch sleepiness.

Check out these articles on nutrition: John Berardi - Nutrition Articles

Note**there is advertisements on this page, but you dont have to click them.

Thanks, I'll check them out!

What do I like to do... Well, I like swimming, so I could definitley do that, which is good cardio and good for weight loss - or so I hear. I am okay with running for about 10min, then its just pure suck. hah

I can try the meals thing - I'll try and eat a fair amount less, but more often. I find myself snacking late afternoon anyway, so it shouldn't be too hard of a change. I have 2 packets of oatmeal for breakfast everyday, so I think I have that meal under control health wise. Lunch and dinner are the tough ones as I have campus food, which is limited in choice.

Anyway, I'll read those articles and post when I'm done.

Thanks again

my name is lauren and i've lost over 30 pounds and am still going...check this out to see where i get my advice and its a constant reminder of my goals and gives me will-power...it might help you like its helping me... goodluck : )

I'M GOING AROUND THE FORUM TRYING TO SCAM PEOPLE. IN ADDITION, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO READ. IF I COULD, I WOULD KNOW I CAN'T BE POSTING LINKS LIKE THIS.

Hi everybody how are you guys doing?

I am new to the forum or actually any forum. My experiences in losing weight are so different based on my emotions. I am 26 this year. I used to be very skinny as I was dealing with quite some problem during childhood. When I was about 16 I met my first boyfriend and became emotionally capable of absorbing all the nutrients, gained a lot of weight. Unfortunately I was also losing a lot soon after that boyfriend dumped me because I was "too fat".

I guess what I am trying to say is that I have learned to maintain a healthy diet without being controlled by my own emotions, and I have learned that I am doing it for myself. And when I set a goal knowing that it's very important that I have to achieve it, not only did I feel good about myself, also I just "feel good" because I am healthy. I am 5"4, I had been under 100 lbs, then up to 130, and now I am maintaining at 115. Feeling awesome!!! Guys, keep in mind, sometimes it's not only about the looks, it's about yourself and that your health is very important. So don't try to lose or gain crazily.

I'm a college student as well, and I also have trouble with cafeteria food, but what I do is I go for the healthiest, most unprocessed things I can find on my good days- like salads and wheat bread sandwiches and fruits and vegetables. On days when I get bored, I usually get the healthiest looking meal they're serving that day, and eat the meat with corn and green beans on the side (my cafeteria that I prefer to go to usually serves both at dinner and lunch).

when i was in college, i used to have a food card where i can deposit money and use it at any cafeteria at school for food and drinks. i used to put like $500 in the card, and i just liked to use it all, then realized the amount of weight i was getting, i stopped putting so much $ in the card as a way to force myself stop eating as much and be more considerate of what i eat. and it works!!

another suggestion is that, after a meal, don't go straight to dorm or a class, go do something (not necessary the gym) but at least you can start the calories on doing some burn down rather down just staying around the belly.

Awesome post.

It is so mental, alot inner game stuff. Instead of dieting, eat healthy. Let your body decide it's own rate of weight loss. Focus on eating healthy. Getting healthy; physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

I love the Tony Schwartz quote "We are mental giants at burning energy and complete idiots at renewing energy."

Take care of you first and the rest is easy.

Your weight in numerical form should not be whats concerning you. Sounds like you just need a lifestyle change to feel better about yourself.

This means turning 'diet and exercise' into a habit, as opposed to something you have to do temporarily to lose weight. When exercise makes its way into your daily life, that's when you'll lose weight and keep it off. So try to make the effort to throw in exercise 3 days a week. And when that seems easy, try 4 days. I exercise about 4-5 days a week and I never feel forced or unhappy. It is now something that makes me feel good. The first couple times you work out, you'll be exhausted and want to stop. But keep going- soon, you feel more refreshed and have more energy. I sleep better, look better and feel better. Even my skin is clearer!

As for the 'diet' aspect, take it more as healthy eating habits. So choose your healthiest options, but dont deprive yourself. Pick up a book I love called "Eat This, Not That". It tells you exact calories in all your fave foods, and what a healthier alternative to it would be. The more KNOWLEDGE you have about food, the EASIER it'll be to make better choices.

I'm a senior in college and not only did I gain the freshman 15, but I gained the 'new boyfriend' 30! I'm 18 pounds down now through the Optifast system and consistent exercise. College is definately tough for people who struggle with weight, but you can do it! Just focus! Be sure to walk EVERYWHERE you can-- that means to and from class! And if you find yourself sitting for mroe than 30 minutes (other than class), get up and move around!

Message me if you have other questions, but other than that, good luck! Check out some of the other guys and girls on these forums-- everyone is doing SO well and looking GREAT!

Best of luck!