Keeping my motivation in the school year

Hi all,

I will be a senior in college in the fall, and am currently nannying far away from home... in Texas (I live/go to school in WI). Right now, I'm doing just fine with my eating and exercising. I count all calories and exerrcise at least 4-5 times a week.

However, this was the case last summer, and as soon as I went back to school, I gained all the weight I had lost back. This coming September, I want to avoid that. It gets hard because I have schoolwork to do, and friends to see, and bars to go to (this one's the killer).

Anyone have suggestions/ have had similar situations and gotten around them? I'll be living a bit off campus, so I will get some walking in, but I'm more concerned with eating right. I'm not really close to a grocery store, so fresh produce is going to be harder to come by than it is now.

Any input would be appreciated! Thanks :)

I think you already identified the problem.  Alcohol consumption may be the key to not gaining.  Here are some things to think about.

1.  Mixed drinks often have fewer calories than beer or ale.  Especially if you mix with diet sodas.

2.  Since the main goal of going to a bar with friends is to socialize, consider offering to be the designated driver or sticking with non-alcoholic drinks in 1 out of 3 outings.  Alcohol is not required to socialize or dance or to have a good time.

3.  One of the problems with alcohol is that it lowers your inhibitions and can lead to binging on unhealthy bar foods (like nachos, hot wings, mini burgers, pizza, etc).  So even if you switched to lower calorie drinks, you might still fall prey to this.

I won't tell you not to drink or go to bars, but just be aware that you may have to choose which is more important; maintaining your weight or drinking.  Another thing to consider is that you might think about taking a class like swimming, weight lifting, aerobics, etc. that could serve as an elective in your degree plan, so that it becomes part of your academic schedule to exercise.  Many colleges let you take classes like these as many times as you like for credit.  This way, you would be working out and getting college credit at the same time.  And it could be an easy "A" as well (at the local community college, as long as you show up and participate, you are almost guaranteed an "A").

true... i've come to realize that it really is easy to go out and have just one drink... and it's about time that my friends and i grow up a bit, and not act like we're freshmen in college.  the p.e. class suggestion is great-- i haven't thought about that, but that's an awesome idea.

thanks for your help!

My pleasure.  My daughter is starting college in the fall and she is planning on the p.e. class thing, so part of the credit for the idea goes to her.