Unfortunately, my solution during college was going to school full time and working two (crappy) jobs, which left very little time for sleeping, thus my metabolism was through the roof, not to mention I didn't have a whole lot of money for food (despite working so much.) I fattened up later, after I got a cushy tech internship that paid more and required much less time.

chrishad95

Drink more water (or similar). Seriously, before meals and during the day it helps you feeling full. Plus many people confuse their bodies need for hydration with hunger. That and reduce your starchy carb intake and the pounds will fall off (~2-3/week). But if you don't exercise, it's all for naught.

ri59

I hate to say it (if only because I don't want to sound like a commercial), but the only thing I've been able to get solid results with was using a Weight Watchers program. I've been on their "Core" system, and I dropped nearly 20 pounds (of the 30 that I decided that I want to lose) in a few months.

The nice thing is that it's a pretty easy system... I don't bother going to meetings or anything, I just follow their system for calculating "points" for foods (basically, it encourages you to eat foods that are higher in protein and/or dietary fiber, but lower in fat and calories). After a little while, you become accustomed enough to the system that estimating point values becomes second nature.

Not only that, but the first few weeks are full of "WTF?" moments as you discover how bad for you some of your favorite foods are, even many of the ones that you may have thought were not so bad for you. Learning to drop these deceptively unhealthy foods from your diet is a permanent benefit in itself.

Andy S.

My freshman 15 didn't sneak up on me until senior year. Once I was a couple years into a long-term relationship, losing the weight became almost impossible. (I was less motivated?)

One thing I've learned recently is its much easier to lose by eating more of the right things, than restricting portions of the wrong things.

It's something I learned from these guys:

[www.LosingWeight4Idiots.com]

bosher81

Finally, get enough sleep. As tempting as the all-nighters sound, it adds to the stress that contributes to overeating.

I'm sure hoping the "tempting" bit was poorly-conveyed sarcasm. It always bothers me a little when articles about college "advise against" all-nighters--like, what, they think we stay up all night doing homework just because we feel like it?

The point about stress is fair, though, and staying organized can definitely cut back on both all-nighters and stress.

I noticed last year that when I was up late, I tended to get very hungry, but that I never felt particularly hungry in the morning. My class schedule worked out this year so that I have time to do homework most mornings, so by going to bed relatively early and doing homework in the early morning instead, I avoid creating more eating-hours for myself.

Also, regardless of how many healthy options the dining hall has, I've noticed that I consistently eat more calories there than I would have buying or making food for myself, even when I make sensible food choices. Eating a salad might be healthier than eating fries, but if you wouldn't have gotten that salad if it weren't part of the all-you-can-eat plan, it still counts as unecessary.

Abelianality

Mine was a senior 15, and I'm still trying to figure out how to get rid of it. Been exercizing, and "Eat To Live" is in the mail.

unique172

My dorm was halfway up a steep hill. The elevators sucked, so I walked up seven flights up stairs a couple of times a day. (Actually, the elevators sucked in most campus buildings, so I was using stairs a LOT.)

I didn't drink soda in any great quantity, and I didn't drink alcohol. I ate when I was hungry and didn't when I wasn't.

So, yeah, keep moving and avoid empty calories.

MameDennis

The easiest way I found to lose weight is to eat something green at dinner every day. Having a salad or some veggies helps fill up some of the space you'd normally fill with carbs or fatty food, plus you're getting some additional vitamins and minerals. I lost 15 lbs in about 4 months doing that. I didnt change my lifestyle and I didnt exercise.

saffyre9

What I found works is exercise and daily watching of your intake. The best system for this is the Weight Watchers' Point System - 60 Calories = 1pt. As a 180+ lb. person, you get 20-23 points per day.

videocrime

sorry I forgot to say.. get mono and you'll lose weight

atomicrabbit

I'm one of those lucky people with a super fast metabolism. I was the same weight from when I was in gr 11 till first year college... and I eat all the greasy fast food that everyone says to stay away from. Second year college, I met my (now) fiancee, whose family fattened me up with their good food. I gained 20lbs in the first year of knowing her.

About 6 months ago, I acquired Mono (yay!) from an unknown source and it lasted for a good month and a half. I lost 20lbs because all I was eating was soup and crackers. SInce then I've gained back about 5lbs.

I'm sure I'll gain a bunch of weight as soon as I turn 30 -- when my metabolism starts slowing down.

atomicrabbit

Im in my second year of university, and drastically limited my alcohol consumption, I have lost weight, even though I still eat the student diet (pizzas and pasta). Of course I do play sports...

Maurik

When I was in college, I had developed a huge soda habit: 2-3 cups of regular Coke or ginger ale at lunch and dinner, plus about another 2-liter bottle's worth throughout the day. One day I stopped to think about it and realized that it amounted to about 1250 to 1500 empty calories per day. I switched to drinking Diet Coke and seltzer and dropped about fifteen pounds in a few weeks.

snow_man

I stayed about the same weight my first year in college, while growing about three quarters of an inch (can you say late bloomer?). So, based on my change in height, I lost weight at the start of college. I think that was mostly due to being more physically active. I walked everywhere when I was in school, through a fairly hilly campus and with a heavy pack most of the time. Add Sunday afternoons doing physical labor in the college theater, weekend night volleyball and football games with friends (playing, not watching) and that all adds up to a pretty active lifestyle without a lot of changes to my eating habits.

Then, when I got out of college and started sitting in front of a computer ten hours a day, that's when I gained a good bit of weight. This year I've been fairly successful at taking some of that weight off. I all but cut soda out of my diet, same with fast food. I changed up my routine at the gym so that I'm doing higher intensity cardio and amd more intentional about weights (got a trainer to put together a workout for me). But, really, the changes haven't been that major. And it's worked. I've lost 20 pounds this year and, really, it hasn't been that hard.

gt0163c

I gained just over 30lbs my freshman year but then got a construction job over the summers. My first summer I dropped 40lbs. Plus it's usually excellent money.

agroom

I was really surprised how little they mentioned going to the gym. The combination of being careful at the dining hall and going to the gym 3-4 times / week actually helped me lose weight when i started college. And obviously, LIMIT ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION. Tons of empty calories that you don't need.

JuliusErving

Using this as motivation. This is a reminder of what not to become.

[31andfat.wordpress.com]

gabegrote

a lot of college students i know get the freshman 15 too. realize though, that they're losing 15 pounds, not gaining it. college students are typically not the best eaters when they do eat, but they also tend to stop eating when under extreme stress (like before an exam).

it's best to keep an hour open for lunch, and dinner, and eat every day. once you're eating every day, start focusing on on eating a healthy mix of foods, and then if you have time also try working out. (most every campus has a school gym or whatnot, and it's free)

although, gaming college students are usually the worst, they'll play games a ton and not eat except red bull and energy bars. yummy :p

Flugenhiber

I drastically changed my diet, cut out sugar and fast food, two protein shakes a day, two protein bars a day, one low carb dinner, and got a warehouse job. Dropped about 50 pounds in my first year of college.

Then gained it all back in my last year due to SERIOUS alcohol abuse.

I'd say the number one thing is to not drink more than once a week, maybe twice. And drink filling or bitter beer, not mixed drinks with lots of sugar.

Take up some kind of sport or exercise. Lots of intramural and college club activities that I wish I would have done at the time. And of course, the student gyms are free, use them!

Avoid the crappy food as much as you can, Ramen and Mac'n'cheese aren't that much cheaper than eggs and real pasta. Beg, borrow, or steal to get some better food than that crap.

Jarick

Get the flu and don't (can't) eat anything for a week (what I did)

sethom

Weight Watchers rocks. You can work anything you want into your diet: it helps you moderate how much.

The way I kept off the frosh15 was to look at what I ate every day, rather than the things that I felt I could 'avoid' (and ended up finding a worse surrogate for). I loved lattes. I learned to love Equal to sweeten them. I drank soda. I learned to like diet. Adored chocolate. Instead of candy bars, ate dry cereal (Cocoa Puffs!). You get the idea.

MrsIrB

I gained the freshmen 15, the sophore more 20 and the junior/senior 25. By the time I graduated, I was about 60lbs overweight. Working at a start up after school didn't help much. Long nights at the computer, very little in the way of healthy food and constant snacks added even more weight. I finally woke up and got back in shape over the past few years. It's really not that hard, eat healthy and be active. I even blog about fitness now :)

[www.60in3.com]

60 In 3

Never went to University, but regardless in my first year or two out of highschool, I gained the dreaded Freshman 15.

Then I decided to get back into shape, and have so far lost about 25 pounds. What's worked for me:

- Get on the treadmill. Maybe 2 times a week. Once a day if time permits. Alternate between high intensity and low intensity.

- Change your definition of "walking distance". A lot of people, when only needing to go maybe half a mile will say "I'll just drive/take the bus". Push yourself to walk that little extra. Something's better than nothing, and it adds up. (For people in university/college, I imagine this would also mean trying to walk more places that are accross campus, more often)

- Depending on when you go to bed, set a time when you don't let yourself eat. I don't have any food at all past 8pm, and I go to bed around midnight. That really seemed to help a lot.

docilewalnut

Buy or rent a small refrigerator for your dorm room, and skip on the cafeteria meal plan. Buy all your own groceries, that way you will have a disincentive to overeat - you'll have to go back to the store! Along with this, I also went vegetarian my freshman year, and I ended up LOSING ten pounds.

terabyte

Instead of suggesting things you shouldn't do, here are some ideas that will keep you fit:

-1- Weights - If you add a pound of muscle, your body will burn 50 more calories per day.

-2- Running - Running is the best cardio workout around! You can melt the fat off or prevent it all together.

These ideas not fun enough?

-3- Sports - My buddies and I played racquetball in college and I play tennis now. These are great games to play because they'll keep you in shape and are fun (you'll want to do them).

-4- Yoga/Pilates - Practicing yoga/Pilates makes you feel good while you are doing it and afterwards; this is an important motivator.

I've been working out since high school and I know work at [www.beYOU.tv], we feature fitness/well videos. If you've read this far, you're obviously interested in improving/maintaining your health, so check us out!

Greg

TheSchnaz

Going off the meal plan sophomore/junior year helped, as I was making pretty good use of the kitchen in the on-campus apartment (and considering how awful the college's food was, I'm amazed those apartments weren't packed). But not as much as where I ended up living: sophomore year, at the top of a hill, junior year, about as far away from classes as possible, AND up a couple flights of stairs to boot. Oh, and both years, I was on the third floor. Got down about 25-30 pounds from my high school weight that way (who knows what I gained after freshman year).

drjayphd

Lots and lots of methamphetamine. :D

Shane

My solution: to move out of a dorm and into my own apartment. That and to get a car so I can go grocery shopping.

Aanidaani

Gregnog, yeah, they ran my campus food too. And we were required to have a meal plan so long as we lived on campus -- freshmen were required to have the unlimited meal plan. (Others could have "dining dollars" which allowed you to eat at such paragons of nutrition as Burger King, Chick-Fil-A, and Pizza Hut on your meal plan.)

I actually ended up losing weight when I started college, because the dining hall food was so unappetizing that I generally stuck to salad (opining that I could at least look at vegetables and tell if they were good). I'd already decided the fast food was nasty. Also, I walked everywhere around campus.

I gained weight when I graduated and got a job where I sat in front of a computer all day and commuted by car. Now I live in a totally non-walkable place and need to take up running on purpose to lose weight. I eat whole grains, vegetables, lean protein, and cut out sugar, but the reliance on car culture here means there's no exercise beyond what you can cram in your free time. No "lifestyle" exercise like I got in college.

snowmentality

@snow_man: a 2 liter.....DAMN

Either way....yeah, drinking more water also helps, since it has absolutely no calories yet it's more healthy than just about anything else you can drink.

dkong1026

Where I went to college a company called Aramark ran the cafeteria and meal plans. They were despised by students and received complaints about food quality and nutritional value constantly, but despite the pressure from students they continue to provide shitty food at ridiculous prices for students.

I would recommend if you want to eat healthy and avoid the freshman 15 stay the hell away from school meal plans, especially if it is provided by Aramark.

Gregnog

Ditch regular soda for club soda.

heathermylove

Obligatory link: [www.fourmilab.ch]

Personally, I think I stumbled upon a method very similar to Weight Watchers' plan: I started tallying up the number of calories I ate divided by 100 on the back of my hand. I tried to keep it under 15 or so a day.

Also, its important to remember that diets don't work (at least for me.) What good is loosing weight if you just gain it back the next week? Rather than going on an extreme diet that made me loose 30+ pounds in a month, I decided to go the more patient route and loose maybe five pounds a month but maintain that calorie intake for a long time. I've been going on a year+ like that now.

kiyote