Freshman Fifteen Challenge!

[Chimma]

I went to college last year, and I put on from 5-10 pounds in the first quarter and never took it off. I'm 5'7 - 5'8 and 141 pounds, but I feel that I looked much better when I was 10 pounds lighter.

I would like to lose 10 pounds in 1 month's time, by Jan. 6. Does anyone know what is the best way to do so? Better yet, does anyone else want to lose 10 pounds by taking this challenge with me? I would love a weight loss buddy who also wants to try and lose 2.5 pounds a week for the next 4 weeks. It can't be too hard if we have a regimen. It'll be just like doing our hair!

[Nessa]

I am 13. I don't know if you would want to be my buddy, but I am close to 15 so you know. You are fifteen and you went to collegde??? I am 5 foot 9 and I weigh 186 pounds, I weighed myself this morning. I want to lose 10 pounds. My teacher was like Weight Wathcers is good for everyone. Go on yahoo and search for that. I want to lose 46 pounds, but I will take it 10 pounds at a time. I am in, so what's gonna be our regimen.

[Chimma]

I meant fifteen, because people usually call the weight they put on during college the "freshman fifteen." I'm not actually fifteen.
But are your parents ok with your decision to lose weight? I plan to be healthy, but I don't want to recommend anything that is unhealthy or unsafe for you. I think that you should talk with your parents first about any diet you decide to take before you agree to do this challenge with me.

This is the regimen that I have thought of so far.
1. Keep a diary of everything you eat including the number of calories, how much additional exercise you do, and check your weight change every morning and write it in the dairy.
2. Drink 5 glasses of pure water a day (not counting juice or fruit). (I've heard that drinking water helps flush harmful chemicals out of your system, and makes you less hungry.)
3. Eat a minimum of 3 servings of fruit (like 3 apples, oranges, etc.) a day.
4. Eat 3 servings of fat-free yogurt a day.
5. Exercise moderately by running, jumping jacks, aerobics whatever for at least 20 minutes a day, 6 out of the 7 days in the week. There'll be more time for that with winter break. The other one day a week - tone the body with Anaerobic exercise such as lifting weights or doing crunches. I will probably do crunches once a week, and do the crunches slowly then stop doing the crunches when I feel that I can't do any more.
6. Only eat when you are feeling a little hungry (not so hungry that you are starving, but hungry enough so that you are not just eating because you like to eat)
7. Eat slowly at meals so that your body will have time to tell you that it is full.
8. Stop eating as soon as you feel a little full.
9. Eat smaller portions. Try for 4-6 smaller snacks/meals rather than 3 meals a day.
10. Eat food that you believe you will be continuing eating for a while. (i.e. don't gorge yourself on low-fat food if you don't like it.)

My break will be Dec. 25 where I will still try not to overeat, but I can't really consider myself on a diet Christmas Day.

Does this regimen sound good to everyone else for the next 30 days? Does it seem possible to lose 10 pounds in 30 days with this? I never have officially gone on a diet before, but I tried to make this healthy yet attainable. I also read a study that showed that people who eat yogurt on a diet lose significantly more weight and that's why I included it. I guess we will find out. If we don't lose around 2.5 pounds in the next week, we will need to modify this regimen.

[Nessa]

Yeah my mom, wants me to diet, cause i need to lose 46 pounds by may. And That is a good regimen, and I am printing this right now.

We have to know other peoples opnions, on this before we know. To me, I think it is an effective way to lose all that weight.

[phynestone]

Chimma-

I think your regimen sounds great. In fact, I'll probably try it too. I put on 20-30 extra lbs. last year and I am NOT happy. Especially since there are a few jeans I can't fit. This is the perfect time for me to lose this weight.

By the way, did you ever live in Mississippi?

[Chimma]

Hi Nessa and 19sweetie, I'm glad that you guys like the challenge. http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

And yes, actually I did live in Mississippi before. Why?

[Chimma]

One other question - does anyone know how to target?

I don't want to lose anything in the butt or bust region, and I'd love to just concentrate on the legs and waist!

[Nessa]

Yeah wow, chimma, i really want to lose my legs and waist also, especcially my thighs.

[trinidarkie1]

Girl well I lost 25 lbs in my First year but gained the same and more since then.. I have to lose about 45lbs myself. and I cant seem to be determined enough to do it.. *sigh*
this winter break, I am going to be training every day twice a day for rugby tourneys next semester, so hopefully I'll have some motivation after that..

[hondahoney007]

Count me in! I'm 5'5 and weigh 176lbs. I want to get down to at least 140lbs. Right now I wear a size 12-14(tight) which I refuse to buy any more clothes in this size. I want to get back into my 9-10's. Most of my weight is on my thighs and my waist. I'm starting today. http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif

p.s. For the 1 day anaerobic workout is pilates ok?

[karezone]

I know that this might sound crazy but I lose weight just by being on campus. Maybe I eat less and move more when I am at school but when I am at home or at my aunt's house I gain like 7-8 lbs.

[Angelicus]

why in the heezie did i lose 15 lbs when college started? everybody else gained. i was starving at morris brown college!

[trinidarkie1]

LOl girl I hear yuh..
I have a lot of pressure to lose weight at home.. my mom is thin and my father's side of the family is school bus big, so my genes seem to be getting the better of me..
Needless to say, I fear going home to Trinidad to see my mother cos she is going to just die if she sees me looking like this..
so for the while I am gonna be hiding out in MN and St Kitts carnival, lol

[Nessa]

I am glad everyone is wit this

[AngelForLove]

Anky,
I lost 15 pounds at college too! Everyone else keeps talking about how cafeteria makes them fat and I don't know what they are talking about.

To all the people on the challenge,
Just a few suggestions... Maybe you all should take it slowly and try not to make so many changes all at once. For one thing it may feel like you are sacrificing something and you might feel reluctant to continue. Also, it you set rigid goals, goals that are too high, you might be setting yourself up for disappointment if you don't lose weight as fast as you expect. And if you are just planning these changes for the short term the weight could come back once you stop. I don't say this to discourage you all. I support you http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif . I just see too many people setting unrealistic goals with extreme plans that are not particularly healthy and as a result they fail. I guess what it boils down to is be flexible. I hope you are all successful in your goals. http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif