So here's what happened. Last summer (2006) I finally decided it was time to lose weight. Being home from school my mother would be able to cook healthy things for me as she always does and by having a job I wouldn't just be sitting around the house eating junk. So anyway, last summer i went from being 305lbs down to 250, and I was ecstatic. Once school started again though, i have been having lots of trouble going to the gym and keeping with my dietary routine. Since August i have really only been to the gym a handful of time and living in a Fraternity where the brothers cook, I don't always have the healthiest meal choices. Over winter break I signed up with Bally's gym and really have only gone about 10 times. I've also noticed that the food i'm eating isn't necessarily healthy, but i'm consuming absurdly large portions. But here's the killer, I managed to get back up to 295lbs. Schoolwork has stressed me out a lot, so that might be a factor in my binge eating. I've been looking into getting meal replacement shakes but don't really know what to look for. I'm upset, I know I only brought it upon myself, but I want to ask you guys here at JSF what you think I can or should do. Please help me out.

Sorry for the really long post, but I really the help and motivation, thanks a lot for reading.
-Ed

Well, do you have to eat the food that your fraternity provides? Can you cook/store your own food?

The one bonus with living in a fraternity is that you have many workout buddies to choose from. They may not know what they're doing, but they will get your butt into the gym. Reach out to some of these guys, and I'm sure they'll take you along. You NEED to get yourself active.

As for the food issue, that's another story. Portion control is biggest factor here. And I'm sure alcohol plays a big role. You are going to have to let your guys know what you are doing. They have to know that you're serious, and they need to be behind you 100%. I bet once they know that you really don't want to be the "fat kid" in the frat anymore, they will all be helping you achieve your goal. You will have 50 guys rallying for you- you won't be in it alone.



So here's what happened. Last summer (2006) I finally decided it was time to lose weight. Being home from school my mother would be able to cook healthy things for me as she always does and by having a job I wouldn't just be sitting around the house eating junk. So anyway, last summer i went from being 305lbs down to 250, and I was ecstatic. Once school started again though, i have been having lots of trouble going to the gym and keeping with my dietary routine. Since August i have really only been to the gym a handful of time and living in a Fraternity where the brothers cook, I don't always have the healthiest meal choices. Over winter break I signed up with Bally's gym and really have only gone about 10 times. I've also noticed that the food i'm eating isn't necessarily healthy, but i'm consuming absurdly large portions. But here's the killer, I managed to get back up to 295lbs. Schoolwork has stressed me out a lot, so that might be a factor in my binge eating. I've been looking into getting meal replacement shakes but don't really know what to look for. I'm upset, I know I only brought it upon myself, but I want to ask you guys here at JSF what you think I can or should do. Please help me out.

Sorry for the really long post, but I really the help and motivation, thanks a lot for reading.
-Ed

^thats true but the problem is that they aren't signed up for the same gym as me, they just use the school gym, which blows but since they all just lift weights it works out for them..

And to George.. I don't have to eat the fraternity food but it's convenient, and much cheaper than a school meal plan... But again, portion control as tennisball said is key.. Also i probably can cook my own food from what we get/brothers use to cook....

Can anyone recommend a good meal replacement shake i could drink in the morning/as a snack?

^thats true but the problem is that they aren't signed up for the same gym as me, they just use the school gym, which blows but since they all just lift weights it works out for them..

And to George.. I don't have to eat the fraternity food but it's convenient, and much cheaper than a school meal plan... But again, portion control as tennisball said is key.. Also i probably can cook my own food from what we get/brothers use to cook....

Can anyone recommend a good meal replacement shake i could drink in the morning/as a snack?

I don't know that I would be so concerned with the meal replacement shake for AM and snack...so, if you are eating the frat food, is that three meals a day? Doesn't sound like it includes breakfast? I would highly suggest that you read the nutrition stickies and try to put together a plan for 5-6 meals a day focusing on higher protein and moderate carbs. Doesn't have to be expensive - egg whites, oatmeal, cottage cheese, etc. are usually on the cheaper side. That way, perhaps you can prevent the binges/large portions since you are eating throughout the day and keeping your metabolism up! Increase the exercise any way that you can- walk as much as possible, take stairs, etc. And if you can find a buddy to go to YOUR gym, then that is great. If not, do you have a pic of yourself at your lowest weight that you can use to motivate yourself? You can do this because you have done it before! Just get started now...no time like the present! Good luck to you.

You can't concern yourself w/others and focus/worry about what they think/do/cook/eat/etc.

YOUR desire must be greater than your desire to stay the same.

Period.

~SC~

one of the hardest things to do is stay fit while in school. I also had the same problem, I packed the pounds while I was living away from home and not to mention all the drinking and weed smoking(munchies). I only lost the pounds when I moved back home. Its all in your head bro, its how badly you want it. I know its hard sometimes but try to find a friend with the same goals as you. A gym buddy would get you up on those days you just want to get high..jks.. and do nothing. I also experimented with ECA stack, it jump started my weight lose and it pushed me to get in shape once I saw results.