Losing Weight in College: Where to Start?

Losing weight is hard no matter the circumstances; there is a reason why losing weight is the most common New Year’s resolution. However, imagine trying to lose weight while you are also going through one of the most stressful times in your life—attending college. There are not only the normal pressures that everyone faces, but you also have the peer pressure from your friends to eat and drink freely and the stress of classes, activities and relationships. If weight is an issue for you, or anyone you know, you will certainly appreciate this information about why people gain weight in college, where to find assistance in your weight loss goals, and how the Internet can be a great resource in your weight loss goals.

Weight Loss Can Be Hard on Your Own

     The first thing to understand about weight in college is that it is very normal to gain a few pounds. You are not the first, nor will you be last to put on a few pounds when you go off to college. In fact, it is commonly referred to “the freshman 15”, referring to the presumed 15 pounds that many students put on when they go to school.

There are three main reasons why students gain weight during the transition to college.

  • The first is that many teenagers get their first taste of freedom during this time. Without your parents cooking for you, plus your busy schedule, you may eat more fast food, pizza and other foods that are higher on the calorie spectrum.
  • Secondly, the empty calories in the form of beverages are an issue for many students. Not just alcohol, but also coffee drinks, sodas and other high calorie drinks are often readily available to college students, and these lead to ingesting higher calories.
  • The final reason for college weight gain is a lack of activity. Many teens that were active in sports may give these up because of an increased workload in college.

While losing weight is hard, it is quite fortunate that there are many options out there to make things a little easier. One of the absolute best things you can do is to find a likeminded friend to help support you during this time. If you can make an effort to eat healthy, celebrate the goals you meet, get out and get active and other things together, it will seem less like a chore and more like a social activity. If you do not know someone personally, there are many resources online or perhaps on campus where you could meet someone in the same situation as you. Another great resource for college students is the school itself. Depending on the school, there may be activities and resources developed especially for students struggling with their weight. Even smaller schools may offer discounted access to a gym or pool and support groups.

You can Find Your Weight Loss Success     Finally, it is important to keep in mind that the internet is a vast resource of information and support for anyone looking to lose weight, even college students. This website, for instance, has articles, tips, hints and points to some recipes to make your weight loss challenge as easy as it can possibly be. Take the time to sit down and read about the different options available to you and try to formulate a weight loss plan. After that, consider taking that step to find a partner in your weight loss, through either the resources here or elsewhere and talk to someone about your goals. Sometimes you can further clarify exactly what you are hoping to accomplish by bouncing your ideas off someone else. After you have your goals in order, do not let yourself wait until tomorrow; get started now. The sooner you begin your quest for weight loss, the sooner you will reach your goals.

As you can see, while putting on weight is easy and losing it is harder, it is not impossible. Take advantage of the resources available to you and get started. The longer you wait to try to deal with your weight gain, the harder it will be to lose it. One final tip to remember is that losing weight is not just about looking good; you will feel healthier and be able to perform your best in school if you get healthy. This does not just mean losing weight, this means eating a well-balanced diet, getting exercise and also making an attempt to get enough sleep. Following the advice here is a great place to start in your quest for a healthy life and a comfortable weight during your college years.