stress eating and weight gaining

[PhDerp]

I've had a lot of weight gains and losses since starting Uni. In undergrad I gained the freshman 30  - over that summer I lost it, maintained throughout the semester and lost some more when I did a study abroad. Came back from study abroad and gained some about half back. Stayed like that through graduation, moved to Europe lost 30-40 lbs. Came back from Europe, studied for GREs and applied to Grad School, gained 65 (2011). Started having some hip, leg and back problems so I got to the gym and have so far lost about 20lbs of that. I still go to the gym but I'm not losing much because I'm so sedentary and I'm not the one in control of the food budget/shopping. When I move to start my program in the fall I'll definitely be more active (setting up the new apt, meetings, new classes, etc.) and I know a lot more now about healthy eating, nutrition and portion control than I did when I was 18 so I'm feeling pretty good about the prospect of losing more weight. Plus the university has a gym so I won't have to pay for a membership anymore. 

 

Once I move I'm also committed to losing 80-100 lbs for the sake of my happiness, sanity and health. 

 

I'm glad to see someone whose story I can relate to!! I was feeling a bit weird. A lot of posts have been about 10 lb differences, and I just can't even imagine that being a "change in weight".

 

I was very big when I graduated high school, then lost 40 pounds the summer before I went to college. I've been fluctuating between a healthy weight and obese since... It's been a difference of up to 60 pounds in timespans as short as one year. :x I definitely plan to lose and stay down in the permanent summer that is Southern California!!

 

EDIT: The good thing is my SO has seen me go up, then down again, then up... He also believes in me when I say I'm going to lose weight and keep it off this time.

Edited March 14, 2014 by PhDerp

[shaketheshock]

I have gained so much in my last year of my undergrad that I actually started the Ideal Protein diet this morning ... can't even think about grad school in the fall, oy.

[Pol]

I weigh less than I did in high-school but it fluctuates a lot through the session.

Edited March 15, 2014 by Pol

[GreenePony]

I'm glad to see someone whose story I can relate to!! I was feeling a bit weird. A lot of posts have been about 10 lb differences, and I just can't even imagine that being a "change in weight".

10 lbs can be a lot even to someone who has 100+ lbs to lose. DH (who had to lose that much from his heaviest) is ecstatic when he is down even 5lbs and keeps it off. 5-10lbs can make a huge difference in a person's health, and can set them up for long term success and can equal 1-2 sizes depending how much fat is lost and muscle gained. Small victories should be celebrated 

[PhDerp]

10 lbs can be a lot even to someone who has 100+ lbs to lose. DH (who had to lose that much from his heaviest) is ecstatic when he is down even 5lbs and keeps it off. 5-10lbs can make a huge difference in a person's health, and can set them up for long term success and can equal 1-2 sizes depending how much fat is lost and muscle gained. Small victories should be celebrated 

I've changed 8 lbs in a single week, up and down. This is what I'm referring to. Weight isn't an ideal metric, which I'm sure you know.

[Pol]

Highschool grad: 196

End of freshman year: 220

UG grad: 175

Christmas: 195

Current: 184

[ss2player]

Highschool grad: 196

End of freshman year: 220

UG grad: 175

Christmas: 195

Current: 184

 

Stealing this format, if y'all don't mind:

 

HS grad: 255

End of sophomore year: 155

UG grad: 195

Current: 225

 

I've been all over the place as you can see. I actually enjoy exercise, but as they say "you lose weight in the kitchen, not the gym", and I just love the kitchen too much! But I'm usually thinner during summer, aiming to get down to ~205.

[Safferz]

Oh man, I gained about 40lbs the first year of my PhD. It wasn't so much that I was stress eating, but I was suddenly sedentary after being previously active, and I was eating a lot of takeout and crappy convenient foods like frozen pizza because I convinced myself I had no time to cook. That was true, to a certain extent -- the transition to being a PhD student was incredibly rough for me, and I barely had enough time to sleep, let alone work out or cook healthy meals. I scrambled to stay on top of my studies - balance is something I didn't have figured out - and doing well my first year came at the expense of neglecting my health and wellbeing. I'm still kicking myself for allowing that to happen, but regret is unproductive and I'm honestly not sure I could have handled it differently.

 

I'm finishing up my second year now, and I've lost about 25lbs since September, most of that during the fall semester. I've been cooking more and trying to exercise and be generally more active in my day to day life, but I feel myself falling into those same first year habits again this spring semester, especially now as I approach my comprehensive exams. I'm trying to rein that in now though, before I do serious damage -- I'd like to be back at my pre-PhD weight by summer, and 15-20lbs feels within reach.

[i.am.me]

^ Safferz that is awesome!

 

8 lbs - of fat for me is a dress size or two!!

 

HS grad: 125

End of sophomore year: 145

UG grad: 138

MA: 127

MA grad: 137

Current: 152   

 

By no means do I look really overweight, but I'm also a small-framed person (5'0) and there are implications for my health at lower numbers...and not to mention bad for my ego. The fluctuations in weight means I have to invest in different sizes of clothing since I need to look like a professional as I worked throughout my academic career. I keep track of my waist and hip measurements and pay more attention to those numbers too. The numbers may not mean a lot to other people, but we all have body/weight ideals that we want to be at - and that's personal. 

 

I'd love to know what other shorties/small-framed people are doing to lose weight. 

[microarray]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to stick with your diet(eating healthy)/exercise regime? I'm really good at starting up and I lose 5 lbs relatively easily, then I get off track and I fall off the wagon. It takes me months to start again..It's a vicious cycle.

 

I need help sticking with it.

 

My mom died 6 years ago now, and during the first 2 years I gained 30-35 lbs. I have unsuccessfully been trying to lose the extra weight over the years. The stress of school and my unhealthy sweet tooth has not helped.  I guess luckily is that haven't put on more weight than that.

 

I am ready to lose this extra baggage before I begin my next adventure into grad school.  Additionally, in the fall I plan to join the roller derby team, but want to lose as much fat while simultaneously building up muscle before then. I know being involved in roller derby will help me maintain my weight and stress levels, but I need help now. . .

[pears]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to stick with your diet(eating healthy)/exercise regime? I'm really good at starting up and I lose 5 lbs relatively easily, then I get off track and I fall off the wagon. It takes me months to start again..It's a vicious cycle.

 

I need help sticking with it.

 

My mom died 6 years ago now, and during the first 2 years I gained 30-35 lbs. I have unsuccessfully been trying to lose the extra weight over the years. The stress of school and my unhealthy sweet tooth has not helped.  I guess luckily is that haven't put on more weight than that.

 

I am ready to lose this extra baggage before I begin my next adventure into grad school.  Additionally, in the fall I plan to join the roller derby team, but want to lose as much fat while simultaneously building up muscle before then. I know being involved in roller derby will help me maintain my weight and stress levels, but I need help now. . .

 

When you're at school, schedule in your exercise. I fell of the gym wagon hardcore last semester because I didn't. This semester, I feel obligated & motivated to go, if only for half an hour, because I see it written on my schedule. If you can find something that works well with your academic classes, joining fitness classes that meet on a regular basis may also help.

 

I find that using MyFitnessPal has really helped me track my eating. I used it in undergrad at the end of my senior year; one of my best friends & I were trying to get in better shape (namely, strength), so we kept each other honest by being friends on MFP. It's kind of difficult staying consistent with exercise this semester since everything has been really hectic, but I'm trying to shed some pounds, too, so shoot me a PM if you'd like a MFP buddy. (:

[kittythrones]

HS grad : 75 lbs

UG Grad : 105 (and it has been 3 years since I graduated). 

Currently : 110 but this is all from muscle. I lift a lot of weights and I do a lot of cardio. I eat very healthy every day. 

 

To maintain a thin frame, I work out about 3 - 5 times a week - cardio & weight training & ab work out. I also eat extremely healthy : a lot of salad, vegan, and lean meat (predominately white). No snacks & alcohol maybe once a week, if that much. No soda, no sweets, no ice cream, no candy...trust me, life is not worth living without sweets & alcohol. 

 

Oh yea, I also forgot to mention that I am 5'5. 

 

^ Safferz that is awesome!

 

8 lbs - of fat for me is a dress size or two!!

 

HS grad: 125

End of sophomore year: 145

UG grad: 138

MA: 127

MA grad: 137

Current: 152   

 

By no means do I look really overweight, but I'm also a small-framed person (5'0) and there are implications for my health at lower numbers...and not to mention bad for my ego. The fluctuations in weight means I have to invest in different sizes of clothing since I need to look like a professional as I worked throughout my academic career. I keep track of my waist and hip measurements and pay more attention to those numbers too. The numbers may not mean a lot to other people, but we all have body/weight ideals that we want to be at - and that's personal. 

 

I'd love to know what other shorties/small-framed people are doing to lose weight. 

Edited March 23, 2014 by kittythrones

[ExponentialDecay]

I use this app called MyFitnessPal and it's pretty useful, I use it to keep a log for everything I eat on a daily basis, except diet coke, gum, tea, black coffee, and water lol 

 

The problem I have with MyFitnessPal is that 1) a lot of the nutritional data is crowd-sourced, so it is sometimes wrong for packaged goods, and pretty much useless for freshly-prepared food, and 2) it overestimates calories burned. I actually wish they'd come up with an algorithm that would decrease the calories burned from an activity you've been doing consistently over a period of time, as commensurate with observable nature. 

[Safferz]

^ Safferz that is awesome!

 

8 lbs - of fat for me is a dress size or two!!

 

Thanks! I have a larger frame at 5'6" and carry weight better than most, which unfortunately also means that I need to lose 15-20lbs to drop a size It's a little frustrating that it takes quite a bit of weight loss to see changes in how my clothes fit, but I'm happy as long as the scale is moving in the right direction. I'm one size away from getting back to my "happy" size.

[Varangian]

When I lost 30lbs a few years ago I only went down 1 dress size. My hips seem to be the last area I lose weight from. So it's definitely difficult to imagine other frames where dropping 10lbs is the equivalent for some to go down a full size. 

 

 

 

To maintain a thin frame, I work out about 3 - 5 times a week - cardio & weight training & ab work out. I also eat extremely healthy : a lot of salad, vegan, and lean meat (predominately white).

 

How are you eating vegan but eating lean meat?

[ChocoLatte]

I lost 35lbs between graduating high school and undergrad.  Picked up weightlifting my 3rd (of 5) year in undergrad, dropped another 30lbs and a bunch of inches...with moving and starting the grad program I've gained back 25lbs.  

I have a gym membership and do my best to go, but I'm so tired that it's tough to make it.  Any friends I have don't work out or work out on campus, which I don't feel comfortable doing...and my partner can't afford a gym membership.

I have my bike in hopes that the weather (Florida) would allow me to be active outside year-round, but it's too dangerous in Tampa for bikes.

 

It's been tough, I've had bouts with body-hate and depression over the gain.

[i.am.me]

Thanks! I have a larger frame at 5'6" and carry weight better than most, which unfortunately also means that I need to lose 15-20lbs to drop a size It's a little frustrating that it takes quite a bit of weight loss to see changes in how my clothes fit, but I'm happy as long as the scale is moving in the right direction. I'm one size away from getting back to my "happy" size.

 

lol but the flip side of that is even with a 15-20 lb weight gain, you can still fit into your clothes despite the difference. 

[PhDerp]

How are you eating vegan but eating lean meat?

 

It says "a lot of salad, vegan, and lean meat". As in these separate things.

[Varangian]

Generally, vegan is a complete dietary choice that doesn't include any animal products. Her diet does, which is why I ask. How can you both "eat vegan" and "eat lean meat"? I'm seriously curious. 

[kittythrones]

Oops, sorry I meant to write vegetables but I think I Mis-spelled it. Damn you autocorrect on iPhone.

[PhDerp]

Generally, vegan is a complete dietary choice that doesn't include any animal products. Her diet does, which is why I ask. How can you both "eat vegan" and "eat lean meat"? I'm seriously curious. 

 

To answer your question: I always opt for the vegan option when one is readily available at a restaurant. I'd say that's eating vegan sometimes!

(I'm always vegetarian.)

[aphdapplicant]

That wonderful muffintop feeling...I've developed a thing for Taco Bell, potato stick chips, and dark beer this app season

[ExponentialDecay]

When I lost 30lbs a few years ago I only went down 1 dress size. My hips seem to be the last area I lose weight from. So it's definitely difficult to imagine other frames where dropping 10lbs is the equivalent for some to go down a full size. 

 

 

I mean, it's not so much an issue of frame as an issue of starting weight. If you start at 400 pounds and lose 30, you won't go down even one size. If you start at 110 pounds and lose 30, you might lose your life.

[ExponentialDecay]

To answer your question: I always opt for the vegan option when one is readily available at a restaurant.

 

Dude, why?

[HKsai]

I lost about 10 lbs....but I got mono, bronchitis, strep throat so.... :/