Will this help me maintain my weight?

[mccollins]

I've been in college for 2 weeks now and I have already noticed a huge difference in my eating habits...I feel like I am eating ALL the time and I started drinking soda again and I've been eating more fattening foods. I am worried about the dreaded "freshman 15" and already feel as though I may have gained a pound or two.

If I work out for 30-45mins 4 days a week and keep below 1500 calories a day with one "cheat day" will I still gain weight? It's so hard to eat healthy here.

[Anonymous]

It's very common and in fact normal for you to do what you are doing. First off, do NOT worry about gaining weight. It's a merely a process, and it's part of your body growing and getting used to the environment. If it's of any comfort to you, most people gain weight during their freshman year lost their weight in later years, especially after they graduated from college for work.

Secondly, I can completely relate to you in having problems eating healthy there. I used to live in a place with no kitchen to cook and I have to eat out fatty food every day for 3 meals (imagine that!) Of course I put on 5-10lbs within the 1st 2 months, but eventually with the work load, going for the healthier choices out of the bad ones and portion control, I lost weight and got back to my usual weight. Whilst you probably won't gain fat weight for working out for 30-45mins 4 days a week and keep below 1500 calories a day with one "cheat day", you may still gain muscle mass for working out a lot. With that said, by all means go full on with your plan (I think it's awesome), stay active and make the best choices out of what you have. I'm very sure for the least you won't gain fat weight and also stay healthy that way. Good luck!

[curiouschica]

Don't go below the 1500 mark...do the exercise I'd say 5 days a wk at least and more on the higher end (45-60 min) versus 30...I'd buy my own stuff too and put it in a fridge in my room because the cafeteria food can be pretty unhealthy. Don't believe that the "freshman 15" is inevitable...you can avoid it if you're careful and invest time in staying healthy! =) Buy a healthy cereal, wheat bread, loads of fruits, cheese, peanut butter, sweet potatoes, fish, olives, lot of veggies in general, etc. Understand food labels (serving sizes, calories, amount of sugar, etc.). Don't be fooled into thinking low fat is always better than the regular kind...they often compensate by adding more sugar to it! Try to just drink water, milk, tea, or coffee versus diet drinks or sodas...get enough sleep if you can (know it's hard). Join a running club or do active stuff with friends! Set an example for others to follow (don't give in to the peer pressure of "late nights" in the cafe as we called them)! Good luck! And just so you don't get the wrong idea, a little indulgence here and there is not bad for ya at all...does your soul good!

[ShishKabob]

Keeping track of your calories is key. Soda is probably worse than McDonald's for you, but some people really love it so I won't say NO SODA. However, it doesn't fill you up, it's all simple carbs so the calories are more likely to stick, it actually dehydrates you, etc. And one soda cancels out about an hour of intense running.

1500 calories a day is UNhealthy for most girls. If you're really small or sedentary then perhaps, but chances are it's too low. Dieting can swing to the extreme at which point your body tries to hold on to fat. Plus with a large calorie deficiency you're likely to be more depressed/tired. Neither of which are going to help staying in shape.

I like that you have a cheater meal! It's common for serious bodybuilders but seems to be a lost concept on people just trying to get/stay in shape. Keep up with a weekly cheater meal, nobody can resist too much temptation before they go on a binge and quit the diet.

[WeaponZero]

Running alone isn't enough of a workout to make a real difference in your fitness level. It must be accompanied by a full proper workout regimen.

Also, 1500 calories a day is too little for someone who is active. If you work out intensely you need to up that to the neighborhood of 2k calories a day.

The dietary needs of someone who is sedentary are different from someone who is active. If you're sedentary you can get by on ~1500 a day but if you're active you should up that by 300-500 calories MINIMUM depending on what you do to stay active.

I'm losing weight at ~3500 calorie a day diet because of my workout regimen (4 days a week weight training, 2 days cardio)

[themastaplan]

hahaha college is INSANELY hard to stay healthy

they just fry everything, grease this grease that...yeah its bad

i have a high metabolism so I never really had that issue...

stay on top of yourself, work out like you have been...maybe UP the type of work out your doing or go for longer - remember to PUSH yoruself...try doing an hour next week, run a mile, then a mile and a quarter next time, then a mile and a half the time after that and so on...build up your work out so you can keep up with yoru body

[themastaplan]

and hey, instead of drinking soday try milk or iced tea, or water with a mixer in it...i know its hard there is few selections there but you can work yoru way around it!

and hey, have fun! I'm jealous I wish I was back in college (sometimes) :)

[madmisskelly]

That sounds about right.

However, I would up my workout if you had the time- to 45 minutest-1hour or so. Try to keep a balance between cardio and weight lifting.

1500 cals a day is good, keep a calorie journal (www.caloriecount.com is my fave).

In doing that, you should maintain or lose- probably lose.

Once you get to a point where you are comfortable, keep your workout schedule, and maybe add a bit more food per day. You won't have to be quite so anal retentive about your intake, because what it takes to maintain your weight is significantly higher, and since you are working out and eating relatively healthy, it shouldn't be a problem.

[rachiee]

Depends on what you do when you work out. I suggest doing at least 30 minutes of cardio and drink green tea to boost your metabolism. Soda isn't the best thing for you to drink. If you must drink soda then go for diet soda. But start drinking other things such as water and juice. Make sure you get enough veggies and fruits. I know that its not easy in college to eat healthy every day, but its definitely possible. They don't have fatty foods and high calorie foods as the only things they serve. Just say no and control yourself, get a salad instead. Its okay to have a cheat day, just watch what you eat all the other days.

[Hyped_up_on_coffee]

... not really what you need to do is change your snacks and drop the soda. Now look in the cafeteria get a sandwich don't get chips, do not drink sugary drinks, drink water instead, snack on healthy things like an apple or a granola bar and its OK if you eat pizza on a weekend with friends but you need to change some habits all together. But your exercise routine sounds good

[sass_pants]

If you work out 4 times a week and stay below 1500 calories you will assumably loose weight. Though its a generalized average, women need about 1900 calories a day (at a sedentary level of fitness) to keep themselves at a relative weight.

If you simply eat healthy and don't dip into the greasy foods you will keep a good weight and possibly gain muscle vs fat (which can cause you to gain weight as well, but if you eat good enough it will be healthy weight).

Basically if you want to get fit and toned, do a cardio and weight training routine every day (or other day) and keep your diet healthy. Lots of green vegetables, fruits, protein and good carbs / fats. Nothing saturated and greasy.

[dalila]

If you eat a burger take one of the breads off and don't eat it, no soda At all as its such a poison, eat like An Apple between meals and try to eat salads...

Working out will help you maintain your weight...If you still eat junk you will gain body fat

[Drake742]

You have to make a point of eating healthier foods, its so much easier to keep the weight off than to loose it. Try surrounding yourself with "fitness freaks". I did that one summer with my friend who's trains for MMA, it was awesome, I was in the best shape of my life, we'd bike ride at 6 in the morning for hours, exercise at lunch, play squash at night, and he ate a flawless diet, It really helps when you surround yourself with a conducive environment.

[naturaldisaster]

Uh how about NOT drink soda? Soda is just a whole cup of sugar with water which is why you are gaining so much weight. and a pound or two isn't much, however if you continue eating like you do, you won't be healthy anymore.

Eat less a day and burn more calories and don't eat late at night, and you will be fine. But yes you can have a cheat day. College offers healthy foods too, you just choose the unhealthy ones because it tastes better. Next time get water!

[udolipixie]

Depends on what the workout is.

Depends on what those 1500 calories are from.

Try working out for 90 minutes a day and eating what your body needs while talking protein, carb, fat percentage in to account. No cheat days.

[The_Supid_Genius]

That all depends on your workout. How many calories do you estimate you're burning during your workout?

[mccollins]

Running so I don't know like 300 calories?

[The_Supid_Genius]

Okay, there's a couple more things we need to know I forgot to ask. What's your weight in lbs., height in inches and your age?

[mccollins]

I'm 5'7ft, 130lbs, and I'm 19yrs old

[The_Supid_Genius]

I tried the calorie calculators. Apparently you're not getting enough calories so you're definitely not getting enough. I rounded it off to 1400 some odd calories you require if you're not working out.

I then assumed you work out about 5 days a week so I figured you at an estimated 2200 calories as a minimum.

What body type are seeking?

[mccollins]

I'm seeking my current body type? I want to MAINTAIN my weight. I don't need to lose any.

[bosanac]

It is definitely hard to eat healthy as a college student. With you working out that much and eating those calories, you should be fine. Good for you, because I could definitely not achieve that.

[kermitthehog]

You can eat whatever you want as long as you moderate it. Eat less and spread your meals throughout the day so you never feel bloated and never feel hungry. Also, try to keep active at least once a day.

[decentusername]

that diet will help a lot :3

but substitute water for soda, or maybe even juice or something?

[FierceMegan]

I think that will help you NOT gain weight. I do not know about losing the weight though.

[RockyHorror]

Yes, that should help

[Anonymous]

Try to stick with 3 meals and NO snacking

[joshuadwa]

No snacking? Terrible advice. Snacks spike your metabolism. The longer you go without food the more your metabolism flat lines. Snacks increase metabolism and thus results in more calorites burnt= weight loss...

Just make sure it's healthy snacks. Fruit are good but don't eat too much. Even though it is natural it is high in sugar. Oatmeal and such is good as well.