Lienne

Hello! I've loved reading all of the health and fitness tips on this site and, because I'm trying to reform my habits, I thought it would be helpful to get more involved. I'm a college student, and the battle against weight gain is pretty intense at the moment . I've been a vegetarian for three years, but I'm considering becoming a vegan because I tend to eat too much dairy (cheese, Gromit?) I may need a bit of help in this department because I have no idea how to ensure that I get enough protein. I have been in the habit of running 3-5 miles, 5 days a week but I'm really slow. I want to turn my 10 min/mile into an 8 min/mile. My ultimate goal is to run a marathon. I know that there are many of you out there with a similar goal in mind, so I'm hoping to stay accountable to all of you. I've been erging (indoor rowing) for a bit, but I want to become more proficient at this. Also, I am trying to lose about 15 pounds. I'm 130 pounds currently, but for a petite lady, my weight needs to be at 115 to be average for my build. The extra weight is being rather stubborn and I'm hoping my transition to a vegan diet will help. I may not be going about this the right way, so I'm hoping to read some tips on this site. I have a history of disordered eating originating from a time in my life when having enough food wasn't a guarantee . This has caused a lot of depression and anxiety. While I've been through counseling, I'm still trying to work out my relationship with food. If any of you have any experience and/or tips relating to this, they would be much appreciated. I'd also love to get involved in weight lifting, but I'm really intimidated by it. Maybe some of you have advice on how to start? I really love reading and I've recently been working out to the World War Z audiobook, which I love so far! Also, I like video games like Bioshock and Dishonored as well as strategy games and board games. Fortunately there's plenty of people around to play Settlers of Catan with. I've also heard there's a Star Trek version...? I've read a bit of manga and I find myself attracted to the more serious genres. My favorites have to be Pluto and Monster by Naoki Urasawa. I'd love some recommendations regarding any of these areas too, as I'm always open to new things! I'll continue scouring the site for fitness and nutrition tips, but I welcome any suggestions that all of you have. I don't have a lot of experience, so any advice helps! Thanks!

Hello - I'm wondering if any of you have ever felt any anxiety over eating in public. I'm a freshman in college right now and there's really no way for me to avoid dining halls. However, I've started skipping meals because I'm rather scared of eating in front of so many people. I'm not really sure what I'm afraid of... whether my friends and strangers will judge my eating habits, of spilling food everywhere...etc. A bit of history - I've been a vegetarian for three years and I'm trying to go vegan. I've had some disordered eating but I went through counseling and I thought I'd gotten rid of those habits for good. I know skipping meals like this is super unhealthy and I need to get over it, but I'm not sure what to do. I've been trying to figure out when the dining halls are the least populated and just going then, but I realize that this isn't solving the problem. Also, to supplement not eating regular meals, I've been sitting in my room and bingeing on frozen fruit and peanut butter. Yes, I know, horrible. I'm also really self-conscious when I go to the gym. I run a lot, but I've been wanting to get involved with weight training in order to balance out my body. However, I can't work up the nerve to go into the weight room. I don't have any experience and I'm shy, so asking for help is hard. Also, I'm petite and I'm afraid I won't be able to use any of the machines. Do you have any advice on how to build up the confidence to start weight lifting? If any of you have experienced this, and/or you have any suggestions, please let me know! I want to feel normal about eating in public and I think it's important to develop better eating habits. Also, I really want to build up the courage to enter that weight room and start lifting. Thanks!