Losing weight as a college student: any advice?

[NGH09]

Hi everyone:

I am a sophomore in college, 19 years old... I'm a 5'9 male and I weigh about 185 - 190. I'm not fat by any means, but I do have a bit of extra fat around my stomach area, lower back, butt, and thighs... I don't look 'fat' per se in these areas, just a little bit bigger and it makes my frame look awkward at times.

My thighs are the main problem: they are huge compared to the rest of my body and I get chafed from when they rub together when I walk or run. To compound my problem, I have flat feet so running isn't really an option for me...

I've always worked out and played sports but I feel really out of shape over the past year. I sweat a lot more often just from walking long distances, I get out of breath quicker, and I just don't look as athletic or trim as I used to. I want to get cut and not be as bulky as I am right now... my girlfriend uses the term 'thick' to describe it and I don't like it haha. Also, I am at college so I can't really cook my own food. I have been eating a lot of grilled chicken and drinking tons of water.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated: thanks a ton for any help.

 

[BGBen]

Im a college student as well with a similar body type to what you describe. What I have done that has had great results is 20 minutes of cardio at varying intensities (always running never walking) and around an hour of weight training 5 days a week (usually monday-fri). Also on the days I work out I try to eat around 6-8 meals a day these can be protein shakes, small snacks and a few larger meals. What I usually eat is a protein shake or eggs for breakfast, grilled chicken or fish for lunch, granola or a protein shake for a mid day snack, more chicken or fish for diner, and then another protein shake/bar or granola bar. I've been doing this routine for a little over 2 months and have seen a huge change in definition and weight (Im 6', 210 and about 16% bf whereas I used to be 235 and around 26% bf). I know you said you can't really cook so some of the griilled chicken and fish might be out of the question but you can easily get other proteins (tuna, turkey, cottage cheese). Just make sure you get in a good workout routine eat lots of protein (about 1g for every pound you weigh) and do plenty of cardio and keep drinking water! I know you said you played sports a lot before and im sure you had to train for your teams so you know about working out, I'm just letting you know what worked for me. Idk if you drink although I'm sure you do since pretty much everyone in college myself included does every now and then, but as long as you get into that workout during the week if you have a few on the weekends it wont hurt your diet/workout too much.