No Scale, lots of junk, please un-discourage me!

I've made it through my first week and a half of college--and i think i already gained the freshman 15!!! The girls in my suite have SUCH bad eating habits and their always coming in my room with food. I feel like I'm always hungry, probably because of the studying and sleep deprivation, not to mention the drunken munchies.  

I feel discouraged--like theirs no point to changing my eating habits because I've had such a baddd eating week, am I the only person who gets like this?

I feel like im just going to screw up again since all the girls around me are doing it. I happen to be in a suite with 3 really overweight girls whose moms keep sending them food for our suite. I really just need some reassurance and guiding words. 

its pretty impossible to have gained 15lbs in a week and a half (3500 kcals over =1lb). Make sure you have healthy low cal munchies by your side like popcorn

Girl, I have been there!  I gained 55 pounds in college!.  After college I was devoted to getting healthy again, and have learned a lot of great tricks to share with you!

Keep healthy alternatives around.  And heck, you might even encourage your roommates to follow suit!  Stress can easily encourage you to turn to the most convenient comfort: food.  A busy schedule will encourage you to grab whatever is available, and with the plethora of unhealthy food in your suite, you've got to make sure you keep good stuff on hand!

Keep a bag of mixed veggies in your fridge.  This will offer some variety and not take up as much space as a bag of each. 

Keep some nuts, like almonds, walnuts or pecans, around so you can grab a handful when you need a crunchy or salty treat.

Popcorn is amazing.  So are rice cakes.  They are low calorie, and you can mix things in to make it yummy.  Grab a box of light popcorn bags to pop up when you need salty, crunchy.  Add in raisins, nuts or some dark chocolate chips or anything you have on hand, to spice it up.  Rice cakes are great topped with peanut butter (which keeps very well in the cupboard) or honey.  Be careful with the pb though, cause just 2 tbsp is 200 calories!

Grab two fruits to have on hand at all times, that offer different flavors and consistencies.  Something soft and something crunchy.  Like, bananas and grapes, or melon and apples.  Fruit is a great way to get energy to your body quickly!

Steer clear of drinking your calories - regular soda, fruit juice, smoothies, etc.   You will stay more full if your stomach actually needs to do some work to break down actual food.  Try herbal or fruit teas for something tasty to drink.

White flour - bad.  No nutritional value, but lots of calories. 

Processed sugar - bad.  I am now pre-diabetic because I've put so much processed sugar in my body!  Stick to natural sweeteners like agave and honey, and use stevia or splenda if you must add sugar to things. 

Limit your intake of baked treats - I know, this is the hardest one for me too!  Try this trick - if you must eat a baked treat, take small bites or cut it up into small peices.  Savor each peice, even close your eyes if you want.  Take your time eating it.  Most likely, your body will tell you once you've finished a certain amount, that you are DONE!  If you take your time eating (at least 15 minutes) then your body can relay the information that it's had enough, whether it's full or just done with the sugar rush!

Anything in excess is bad, really!

And remember, don't worry too much.  You will learn over time, and you are young.  So, if you gain a few pounds, you will be able to get them back off in no time. 

Check out this list of power foods for your brain, to make sure you stay healthy and at your best while you get your degree!   http://leftofzen.com/brain-food/2008/01/04/

Best wishes!