Piling on weight when revising So fed up

[SickOfBeingFat]

Have name changed as I don’t want this post to be linked to my usual user.
I am so fed up! I guess I’ve always been chubbier than most of my friends but still maintained a healthy BMI.

I’m a university student, studying veterinary medicine and I’ve been at home for just under 2 weeks for revision and I have ballooned! I’m used to walking 6 miles a day and going to the gym 3-4 times a week, (usually mostly on the weekends) and now I’m sat in my room revising for 10 hours a day and the difference is massive.

What can I do to lose some weight without it being to the detriment of my revision? I was thinking of adding in a walk each day but the weather’s been awful at home recently and I know walking doesn’t burn much.

I have a holiday booked just after exams (23rd june) and my holiday clothes are too tight! I’m going to try and count calories but I have no idea how many to stick to - 1400?

TIA

[SickOfBeingFat]

Sorry about random capital letters and awful punctuation, my phone is on its last legs

[babysharkah]

Put your details in mfp as sedentary for now and it will tell you your calorie requirements. Are snacking on crap while your revising?

[SickOfBeingFat]

Yes, I am snacking on crap!
I also recently started amitriptiline for migraines and the contraceptive pill and both say they can cause weight gain but I think it’s actually my fault as I just feel hungry all the time.

[fishonabicycle]

Drink loads of water - hunger and thirst signals are very similar. Maybe have some fruit or veg sticks and houmous handy. Also give yourself a break - you are working hard and under stress - exams will be over soon and you can start exercising and eating better then 😘

[Studentnursesos12e]

I’m a second year student nurse. Exams, Revision and placement are a killer. Good luck with the exams, you’ll do great x

Because you don’t want to be hungry revising I’d say around 1500 cals a day on
mfp.

Fruit, veg, salsa and reduced fat houmous (lower cals) are good snacks. If you have fizzy drinks swap out for diet versions, or water.

Exercise wise walking is great for a revision break. Would you consider a short run such as some of the couch to 5ks (half an hour).

Good luck x

[Studentnursesos12e]

and forgot to add my best friend (who is naturally v skinny) but on a stone with amitriptyline, so I don’t think it’s completely your fault. Don’t beat yourself up too much xx

[SpuriouserAndSpuriouser]

I always used to gain weight during exams when I was at university. I think it’s fairly normal to be honest, especially if you’ve just started taking amitriptiline.

In your shoes I would make sure I had three nutritious meals a day, with enough protein and enough fibre/carbs, which should hopefully fill you up so you aren’t as hungry, but if you still snack then so be it. Exam time isn’t the right time to diet, but you’ll feel better if what you’re eating is nutritious.

Can you not fit in some gym sessions as well? Apart from anything else, exercise can help concentration, which can only be beneficial when you’re revising.

[justchecking1]

How about recording some notes onto your phone to listen to while at the gym? May be a way of getting the exercise in without losing revision time?

[Holibobsing]

Gather and crisps, choc, biscuits and bin them. If you're anything like most people, 'i'll just have one' rarely is that. Make sure you replace with protein and filling fruit.

Breakfast; poached eggs on one slice wholemeal toast;

Lunch, jacket potato, tuna/beans and a third plate salad

Dinner, small amount pasta with tomato based sauce.
Fill up in between water, fruit, low fat yoghurt

Above all, avoid Uber eats delivery that I swear a chunk of my uni dds money goes on

Even 30 mins walk with music on will give you energy and kick start metabalism

[palahvah]

Exercise and fresh air will help, not hinder, your revision. Can you run, cycle or swim outside?
Alternatively do a gym session, and a brisk walk outside too during one of your breaks.
Revising does make you hungry - your brain is working! Just make sure you have got nutritious ingredients in so you're not eating crap.
Good luck!

[SickOfBeingFat]

I live over 200 miles from university and pay for my gym membership there so I couldn’t afford one at home until summer. I did manage a walk today, was only 3 miles so not much but better than nothing, and haven’t snacked too badly even though I’m stressed.


I just find it really upsetting that clothes I bought at the end of April which were loose fitting for my holiday are now tight and not flattering at all!

[Holibobsing]

Some might be water weight? Try 6 glasses water, (also great for concentration) to flush

[SickOfBeingFat]

I have been drinking a lot but mostly sparkling flavoured water and squash. Maybe I need to cut back on that and stick to tap water. It’s just such massive change that I’m not sure I can put right in the next 2 and a bit weeks, especially over the exam week.

[Holibobsing]

No added sugar squash is fine.