Preventing another "freshman 15" (Sophomore year)

Hi all, I've been reading posts here about Freshman 15.. I just finished up my first year of college and gained 10 pounds (phew), but that was enough to make me want to do something. My problem was not easy access to a cafeteria-- my school doesn't have a cafeteria/meal plan. I go to school in NYC and I found the lack of free time/stress causing me making minimal effort foods--ie, lots of spaghetti. No oven. And yes, it is a great city to walk everywhere, but there are delis on every corner selling delicious and unusual chocolate! When I came to the school, all the RAs were like, "Oh, we have a NEGATIVE freshman 15. No one has time to cook for themselves!" I think I used food as an excuse to get away from my work: everyone has to eat, right? It seemed the only legitimate way to procrastinate. And on top of that, drinking.. (I don't drink a lot compared to the average college student, but I'm sure it did some of the damage)

So, before I go back to school (to my own APT this time, not the dorms), I'm making a list of preventative measures to take so while in the process of trying to get back to pre-college weight I can prevent putting on MORE. This list includes so far:

-No chocolate runs. -Alcohol SPARINGLY.

Can anyone add things? Or contribute any stories or wisdom regarding the subject?

Thanks!

i'm going into my third year. i'd say make exercising your legitimate way to procrastinate.

make sure you leave time in the morning to eat breakfast! I was so bad at that all 4 years.  It would have helped so much if I did it!

NYU?

Stephanie-- That .. well, that definitely makes sense! And I will definitely try to subsitute exercise for unneeded snacking.

Thisreal4ever--Yes! I could never go without breakfast.

Kunfushuss--Nein.. Cooper Union

One of my teachers from high school went to Cooper Union and he wanted me to go, but when he said how competitive it was, i said no thanks :)  I am not that dedicated!  Plus, i'm an athlete so I needed to play some sports, and Cooper Union isn't known for ummm HAVING sports teams...

I go to a pretty comeptitive school, too, and I've found that, with no time, the Foreman grill is one of my best friends.  I'll buy big bags of boneless, skinless chicken breasts and just throw one on.  In five minutes, I've got some chicken (aside from the sodium they throw in, very healthy) and I can nuke some Uncle Ben's rice or throw the chicken on top of a salad.  Honestly, I ate chicken almost every night.  I also used the Foreman for fish, steak...  it's pretty much awesome, and it keeps me away from Banquet meals.

My killer was always test weeks, when I would grab two Dews and some chips and study in the library for ten hours straight.  I started carrying Crystal Light packets with me (if you aren't set against fake sugar) and substituting them for Dew, and I threw out my TV in lieu of working out.

Its very possible to win this - I gained 10 lbs freshman year, too.  It takes some motivation, but my biggest tip: don't get caught up trying to lose/not gain weight.  You're (we're) in college, have fun!

Definatley, go to the gym... It will help you concentrait, no lies.  Start right now get into a habit. 

Also you can now plan your own meals and have your own food around.  If you really can handle the chocolate habit... I used to keep on really good quality bar in the house and anytime I was tempted to buy when I was out I would remember that I had some at home, by the time I got home I would look at it and think... Ill save it untill I really need it ... like during exams. 

Remember, If you don't buy junk food you can save alot of money.

My plan for junior year is to run 3 times a week. Going to try to figure out how to read and run on a treadmill at the same time. lol

Bleh.. unfortunately I cannot afford to go to a gym. Hopefully htere will be enough room (ha) in future apartment to do some sort of at home exercises on DVD or something, and of course I can always go out walking..hmmmmm

About reading on a treadmill--that is a hard skill to master! I can't even do it on a stationary bike... I get caught up in reading and start going realllllly slowly. And on a treadmill I probably wouldn't be able to walk straight, heh.

I was going to post the opposite - I find it pretty easy to read on a stationary bike! Maybe not while going too fast, but you can set the level higher instead. That actually got me through some boring college texts, forcing myself to read while doing another great thing for myself - exercising!

Just being concious of what you eat will save you from the Sophomore 15. It mostly comes from partying and mindless study eating, etc. When you realize that each beer has, what, 200 calories? Just think of that when you're out partying, and you might skip a few.

By the way, vicstudentoria - I do the bar thing too! It's not really "good quality", but I do have some nice alcohol at home that I like, and when I'm out I think "I can just have some at home." Then, when I get home, I don't want it anymore. Especially after I log the rest of my calories.  :-)

shoeofkuribo, I envy your ability to read and exercise!! And yes, I should be conscious of what I eat.. Perhaps before I start school again I will gather some healthy and easy recipes, so I don't get frustrated and just reach for the mac & cheese (*shudder*).

it sounds stupid but dont keep easy fast quick foods around....i gained the freshman 15 (more like freshman/sophomore 20) and my biggest thing is though buying ramen is easy, or making pasta is easy  i dont keep it around because when i come home after drinking i make something quick and usually bad....i have forced myself into a habit of cooking intricate things because its a good study break and u eat healthier

i am so scared about gaining those horrid 15 pounds. i start my first year of college in the fall and i don't wanna gain weight :(

vmc, as long as you are aware of what you eat and you build up a foundation to fall back out [eating-wise] when you go to college, you'll be fine, I flucuated for alot of my frosh year, but ended up losing 5 pounds because I started working out more. I also took alot of PE and dance classes to give me an excuse to work out. ^_~
Cheating, maybe.
But the moral of the story is if you are viligant you have nothing to worry about. :]