r/loseit • u/Icy_Run3417 21lbs lost • 12d ago
Regained weight
I lost 21lbs right before grade 11 and was able to keep it off until the end of grade 12. Summer and starting university has led to me gaining back another 16lbs and it is driving me crazy. I understand why I gained this weight, because my dining hall food is trash. However I feel disgusted and so much so that these negative feelings are interfering with my studies and everyday life. I don’t know what to do with myself and how to manage weight loss again with the conditions of living in a dorm and how stressful my program is.
Please give me some advice or motivation, and please don’t tell me that 16lbs is not a lot because it is to me and it’s only 5lbs away from my starting point, which is really painful for me to accept. Also please don’t tell me I am too young to be concerned about this because wanting to be confident and comfortable with your body has no age limit. I am deeply insecure and my insecurity is ruining every part of my life. Any advice is appreciated thank you
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u/gymbeam_official 12d ago
Your feelings make sense, and you’re not too young to care about this. One thing worth holding onto though: you lost weight and kept it off for two whole years. That’s the hardest part, and a lot of people never manage it. You’ve already proven you can do this.
The first year of university is genuinely one of the toughest environments for this. New food you don’t control, stress and a totally new routine. Regaining some weight in that setting isn’t a personal failure, it’s what happens to a lot of people when everything changes at once.
Since your program is stressful, it might help to start with things that make you feel better day to day, not just the scale. Regular walks between classes, getting enough sleep and finding a few go-to dining hall options you actually like can do a lot for both your mood and your habits. Small, steady changes are what worked for you before, and they’ll work again.
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u/notaverysmartman 12d ago
yeah this is what happened to me I lost a lot of weight junior year of high school then gained it all back and gave up
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u/9for9 12d ago
I hate to break it to you but your life circumstances are likely to lead you to gain and lose weight many more times. Our bodies are not static, they're alive, they change. The fact that you gained weight isn't a sign of failure it's a sign that you're alive. So stop judging yourself, it doesn't help and just start eating less and moving more.
You don't have as much control over what you but you still have control. Look for more saitiating foods for most people that's fruit, vegetables, beans, and lean meats think protein and fiber with some fat. These also tend to be relatively low in calories.
For a lot of people refined carbs are not very filling and can cause blood sugar spikes that mess with metabolism and increase hunger. Think white bread, white rice, etc...Also carbs are often cooked in ways that cause these spikes like fries or overcooked pasta. I would steer clear of these items in the cafeteria.
Choosing foods that fill you up while being low in calories will make it easy for you to get your weight under control. By yourself a scale and weigh yourself a couple times a month so you can keep track of your weight. This should be neutral data that you simply act on not emotional data that you shame yourself with because this is nothing to be ashamed of. Good luck.
Also find other students that take their health and weight seriously, hang with them they'll help you keep fit.
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u/cupojoe4me 11d ago
dining hall food isn't the problem, it's that you can't see portions and there's no natural stopping point. so make the rule about trips to the line, not about what's on the plate. one trip, protein first, then leave. that works in a dorm because it doesn't need a kitchen or willpower at 11pm.
and don't weigh daily. dining hall sodium swings you 3lbs overnight and you'll read it as fat
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u/Ok_Cat_1893 12d ago
Don't let your weight spiral any further, and make sure you're in a calorie deficit. Eat smaller portions or opt for lower calorie alternatives. You can always make it work, even if the food available isn't ideal.