wanting to lose a few inches on off my waist line and eat healthier.?

I'm currently a full time college student. I've gained 30 pounds since fall of '07 and went from a size 9 to 13. I’m not trying to lose weight because my appearance concerns me but because I can't afford more pants and need to lose the weight so that I can breathe in them once again. I know my weight gain is due to inactiveness because of all the studying and the sweets that I eat to stay awake in class and gain some energy. Can anybody offer any ideas on how to lose 20 pounds at least? I’ve already quit the sweets and I’m trying to stop drinking soda and coffee. Are there exercises I could do that would target that area and are not too time consuming? Also what foods can I replace from sweets to help me stay focused and alert and please don't say chocolate. I can't really find fruits and vegetables because I go to college downtown and there arn't any fruit markets and they go bad within a few hours if I try to bring some with me. No fridge, no room. And kinda hard to cycle to school with a 20 lb bookbag and below zero weather.

Public Comments

1. http://choosediet.blogspot.com/
2. The best advice I can give is this: Run three to four times a day, about 10 minutes a piece. Lift weights, to build muscle and reduce fat. Find a sport that is energetic that you like to play, so you don't get bored with it. For example, I play hacky sack. Stop eating junk food, like Mcdonalds and candy, not only is it bad for your health, it also is bad for your appearance. Feel good about yourself, that should help somehow, it worked for me.
3. I like eating baby carrots and a fat free ranch dip. Carrots last several weeks if you keep them in a fridge. Try to watch how much you eat. You can eat several times a day but be careful not to eat too much at one time.
4. try taking a few walks a day around campus, or get an exercise dvd and do it in your room maybe 10 minute solutions, pilates, muscle toning, dance,any of these will help with results or Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds dvd's. You can do all these in your room for under 30 min, that's not long, and that can improve your health greatly. For snacks try low fat gronala bars like Nature Valley, even peanut butter and crackers is a great snack to have, not too much pb though just about 2 tbsp per serving. Try having some Special K cereal, they have added protein to help keep you full and give you enough carbs for energy, hope this helps and good luck to you.
5. Try eating healthy or excersize and study at the same time.Crunches.Lots of them.A fruit that will keep a while.Maby apples,oranges.And something for alertness. Stackers are pretty popular.And if the cloths hurt,streatch pants.Or a cloths binder to keep you from gorging.
6. Definitely try to find 30 minutes a day to exercise, even if it's just going for a walk. That will go a very long way toward helping you reach your goal. Also, if you are like a lot of college kids and starting your day with a breakfast consisting of coffee and more coffee, that needs to go as well. Try some instant oatmeal that you can make in a microwave. The oats are a slow burning good carb that will help get you going and provide some long term energy. For any other grains try to stick to whole wheat or whole grain type foods. White bread and pastas are processed and digest much more quickly which causes an insulin spike. Insulin spikes = fat storage. Hence the problem with the candy. I see the fruit dilemma you have especially if you don't have a fridge. Apples and bananas however don't have to be refridgerated. Just buy a few days worth at a time. Fruits will provide you with some quick energy in the form of a quicker burning carb. Grapefruits can also be left out though you'll have to eat the whole grapefruit once it's been cut. I've bought a box of clementine oranges and that has lasted two weeks without refridgeration. The other key is going to be lean protein like chicken and fish and good fats like the Omega-3 and 6 types and the unsaturateds. Fats help you feel satiated longer and act as a sort of crave controller. Most importantly, stay off of the sweets, sodas and coffee. Switch to water, and always drink it throughout the day. By staying hydrated you feel fuller longer after meals. Smaller portions and more often will also help. Good luck!
7. Hi there I am no weight losing expert,i know that it is easier to gain weight than to loose weight.....you have to face the facts and realize that you do not need to change only in your diet but a change in your lifestyle as well,you are a full time student and should remember that your body is going through changes from teenager to adult,GET ACTIVE cycle instead of driving your car or jog instead of walking join the volleyball,basketball,swim......just don't do nothing you have to make it your lifestyle.......if not that 30 will turn into 60........eat right and get ACTIVE.....i have a car but instead i cycle to work 15 kilometers (9 miles) to work and the same back home,and it works like a bomb........commit to exercise and you will see the pounds will fall off like Britney's hair,ha ha ha!!!!!Good luck,Anton South Africa!!!