What are some more simple changes I can make in my life to lose weight?

Question

I have attempted to lose weight for ages and it has never worked. I am in college so its really difficult to eat healthy here, especially because we have a diner on campus that serves only 100% bad food. I find it difficult to be active too. Here are some changes I have made that I think will push me towards some weight loss:
-I never drink anything other than water with the exception of green tea in the morning and possibly skim milk.
-I have replaced Doritos and bad snacks with 100 calorie popcorn, carrots, wasa whole grain bread/crackers, and dark chocolate for when I get sweet cravings.
-I went to the diner today and I got a wrap. But I threw away the potato chips and only ate half of it.

Does anyone have any other small suggestions for me? Maybe some small ways to integrate exercise in my day and some other eating tips. Thanks!

Answer 1

No sodas.
Eat whole grain things, like bread.
Limit sugar!! you will be surpised.
Eat 3 meals a day, and small snacks in between.
Make you try and average 500 calories less off your total calorie need a day. (you'll lose around a lb a week)
Eat fruits and veggies.
Eggs are a great thing too.
Definitly go for some albacore tune.
Instead of mayo, try dijonaise
Limit carbs after 6
try and eat a 40-30-30 ratio of carbs-protein-fat
more green tea...possibly green tea extract pills.
Do some cardio exercises 2-3 times a week for 30-45 min.
Dont make yourself hungry
Dont eat too much.
Always eat breakfast...that is the best way to help slim down.
Avoid at all costs partially hydrogenated oils, and perhaps high fructose corn syrup.
If you eat stuff, if it has high protein or fiber it will take longer to digest, making you not want to eat in a bit.
Like you said, white unbuttered popcorn is a great snack!

Good luck
=)

Answer 2

Well, if it's cravings that are killing you, then try to eat plenty of foods with lots of fiber. You can't digest fiber, so what you're doing when you're eating it is simply filling yourself up with something that contains little to no calories. Carrots are great to snack on and contain pretty good nutrition as well without the 100's of calories. When you crave those Doritos, grab a salad with some chunky blue cheese (if you like that dressing), but be sure not to go overboard on the dressing, as it would just defeat the purpose of eating the salad in the first place.

If you find yourself still giving those M&M's a menacingly hungry look, preoccupy yourself. Most of the time when people overeat, it's because they are bored and really have nothing better to do (such as writing this). Associate yourself in a club(s) and find ways to keep yourself busy and not wolfing down that horrible food from that diner. You'll find that you not only eat less (cutting on expenses) but you'll also see that you are getting more out of life.

Exercising also helps a lot too. Make it a habit to walk around the block every now and then. Tape your favorite shows and watch them later if you find it troublesome to fit in exercise between that crazy hot doc on television.

Well, since you're in college, you might be stressed. When you're stressed, your brain sends messages to the adrenal glands telling them to produce glucocorticoids (i think--going from memory here), which is just another type of hormone telling your body to retain more fat and stuff like that. Try to let those stressed feelings go by playing some tennis or another relaxing sport. I find that laying on the grass on a cool, breezy day calms me a lot.

Finally, if you find it hard to do all of these things (which probably won't be the case), try doing these things with a friend and keep up with each other on their progress. Encourage them to do even better and to lose even more weight. You don't even need to find an overweight friend, use one of the skinny ones you have at disposal already if you feel the need to. You'll see that you have a lot more strength in numbers and that the new lifestyle could be a keeper.

Well, hope this helps.

--some EXTREMELY bored 16 year old

Answer 3

Eat less, exercise more. Eat less, exercise more. You guy's don't have an exercise facility on campus?

Run, walk, jog, get on a treadmill, do aerobics, do yoga, pilates, take the stairs instead of the elevator, whatever. Just do something at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes - an hour.

If the food sucks, eat less of it. There's got to be some stuff like fresh fruit you can eat. But mostly, just eat less. Cut your portions in half at least.

I joined a gym at the beginning of this month. I committed myself to an hour three nights a week of cardio and weights. I was down 6 pounds. Started cheating a little on the food and gained back 3 pounds. It's hard, but it's doable. Make a commitment and stick with it.

Answer 4

You're on the right track, good job! Stay within 1200-1500 calories for weight loss. With your snacks try yogurts, fruits and some veggies too, they are great for you! The yogurt has a bacteria that is super for your stomach lining.
Try to get some kind of exercise! Do they have some classes or a gym on campus? Try something, find something that you like and you'll look forward to doing it. There are many dvd's out there too you can find anything that you like now. Walking is great, try walking for 30 minutes one way, then turning around and coming back-that's a hour and walk fast, this will burn alot of of calories!

Answer 5

It depends on where you are and what's around you but if you try to eat some really good,healthy salad or even a turkey hot daog(it doesn't have a lot of calories) and just exercise you should be fine.Becuase you are in college you should try to go out dancing or join any athletic club it'll be funner while you're losing your wieght.
good luck!!

Answer 6

Drink LOTS of water, and never eat anything after 7. Also, sitting up straight helps you lose your stomach weight. Eating snacks are ok, but make sure you don't overeat.

Answer 7

Well, that's a start. Now start exercising: lifting weights (no you won't get big and bulky; you'll just create more lean muscle mass which will speed up your metabolism and cause you to lose weight faster) and cardio.

Answer 8

If you eat a salad with low fat dressing before every meal, you will be surprised how much it fills you! Take the long way to walk to class. If you live off campus, park as far as possible and walk.and make sure you have something to eat in the morning, could be an apple, banana, special k with low fat milk, yogurt, it will help your appetite throughout the day.

Answer 9

go 20 mph on your bike for 6 1 2 minutes

Answer 10

swap out brown rice or quinoa yes even the new super food which both add up to about 220 calories per cup for cauliflower or roasted peppers that are only about 30 calories per cup