frenemies

I'm a college student and the people I am around all the time eat and drink whatever they want. How can I stay focused when everyone is eating terrible foods and how can I still have fun partying and drinking when alcohol contains so many empty calories?

Well it mostly boils down to what's important to you.  The social aspect of eating is pretty influential, but that's no reason to throw caution to the wind.  There's nothing wrong with ordering water when your friends are downing alchs.

Just hang in there, don't let others determine your diet.

I've been in your situation before, and it's tough.  It's really hard to be the person who "doesn't drink."  I find that the people who are drinking at the time want everyone else to be drinking too- not sure why, maybe they feel dumb if they're the only ones drunk?  Anyway, it is more than possible to have fun at a party if you're drinking; you can even be the life of the party!  Be the one that gets things started.  You can start dancing, or even break out in a game of limbo (watching drunks limbo is pretty interesting:P).  Or you could just talk with other people who aren't drinking, there are usually at least one or two. or if you'd feel a little more comfortable you could take some juice (no sugar added) and just add a much smaller portion of alcohol than you normally would. 

As far as the food goes, just cook for yourself really great-tasting, great-looking meals that a good for you and your friends might get interested in doing the same.  You could even suggest that you and a friend start cooking together and sharing meals.  It really helps if you have at least one friend to support you with your eating and health.

I don't know what your goals are but I stay focused during the week.  Eating 1200 calories a day and working out 4 days a week.  This allows me to participate on the weekends but not go crazy.  Stick to hard liquor with diet juice of diet coke.  If you want a beer limit yourself to a couple and get the low calorie ones.  Just think about the calories you are consuming as more time in the gym.  Have fun with it!  You have to find away to be healthy and keep a normal life or you won't stick with it!!

Hey, it doesn't seem like you are looking to give up the drinking at parties, I know I am not!

If you are at a bar and want to get drunk with your friends, then just do shots or get one fruity drink to stick to all night to wash the shots down with. Avoid beer and pretty much go for hard liquor. Responsibly, of course =)

As for food, well I just carry lollipops and mints and small snacks in my purse and somehow it works at keeping me from eating random junk when I go out.