Oh my God, I can't believe this! I've put on a whole stone since I started the PhD! This is mortifying, but not surprising considering the complete rubbish I've been eating and the lack of movement. Has anyone else experienced this? I have been eating loads of choc, cake, biscuits, etc. (but they're so comforting when you're in a PhD rut!) I started a diet last week, but it's just making me feel lethargic and I'm having trouble concentrating. At this rate, they're going to have to roll me in for my viva!!!

Oh yes. I was mortified as an undergrad to realise I was 11 stone - last time I had checked I was 9.

I didn't diet as such, but made sure all my meals were based round vegetables, and only ate junk on Saturday. And started cycling to uni.

Within a few months I'd dropped to 8 - 8 and a half stone. You'll be OK. We've all been there!

Oh, dear, the same here. Thanx to writing-up a PhD I have expanded from nice well-presented size 8 to size 12! I often find myself looking at my wardrobe (and in the empty bank account) and crying...nothing to wear

I reckon I put on about a stone and a half in the first year of my PhD. too much dominos, curries and guinness. im now eating less junk and exercising more, although getting rid of the belly is going to be a challenge

I ate an entire packet of ginger nuts last night whilst working.

Luckily the stress of the phd seems to burn it off.

No change on the scales today!

Exactly the same thing happened to me - got on the scales before Xmas and had put on a whole stone! Freaked out and threw away the choccie and now a lot slimmer - how long that will last is another matter though LOL

It always creeps up on you, weight gain. You never notice until you've packed on at least a stone.

Do I ever agree with you! I've put on well over a stone, my belly hangs over my jeans, my chin has been partly absorbed into my neck, I have cheeks like a hamster and it's absolute hell sitting down unless I undo the top button of my jeans. Oh, and I have man boobies! It's definitely time for action, but I can't do any running because of a condition that means my leg muscles ache and spasm if I do. It's torture and I'd walk the weight away, but walking is boring. I only eat 2 small-ish meals a day and would appreciate any weight loss advice that's convenient and simple.

The best thing that worked for me was to eat tonnes of vegetables with every meal. And cycling.

I really admire those people who have a balanced life during their PhDs, finding a way to get everything in--healthy diets, exercising, socialising, etc. Unfortunately, I'm not one of those people--wish I was! I think they manage to keep saner than the rest of us. I'm not surprised at my weight gain, with the copious amounts of sugared coffees and choc I consume on a daily basis, and living a sedentary life. Well done to the people who manage to get some exercise!

Always always always eat breakfast! It sets you up for the rest of the day and you are less likely to snack. I have wholegrain cereal with semi-skimmed milk and a glass of juice. Wholegrain toast is good, fruit, yogurt, muesli, porridge...anything with whole grains keep you going for longer. Just make a few healthier food choices and try and get loads of fruit and veg in. But allow yourself some treats too, one a day stops you craving them!

I also try to incorporate some exercise into my routine- I walk to work instead of getting the tube. Am still trying to find time to do some proper exercise!


I also try to encorperate some exercise into my routine- I walk to work instead of getting the tube. Am still trying to find time to do some proper exercise!

I agree with Sillybilly on the value of breakfast. I never ever ever miss breakfast--I am starving when I wake up and breakfast ( with the start of the caffeine IV) is the first thing on my mind. I am finding a much healthier lifestyle in general because I do not have a car. I have to walk distances I would have driven previously, I make frequent and smaller purchases at the shops for food, I keep a supply of fresh fruit in my office to snack on during the day ( its too heavy to take home!!!). Ironically I would have walked for exercise at home, trying to build up to running again--somehow it feels like it doesn't count as exercise when its your mode of transport--but hey, walking is walking. Also because of the higher price of junk food, and trying to make do on my studenty budget, some of my previous junk food treats have gone by the wayside. Oh, if I could kick the latte habit...I have cut back...but ....

Boo hoo, the exact same thing has happened to me!

Too much time sitting on my bottom and FAR too many cops of tea and chocolate digestives. They should be banned.

I have started walking to uni though, not sure if I notice a difference yet...

After writing up for many months I went up a clothes size and my clothes don't fit. My stomach hangs out for the first time in my life. I just exercised less and less as I was just at home, and was doing a minimal level to start with. I comfort ate a lot as I was bored and fed up with the whole thing.

cc - we submitted around the same time - remember I said I'd hate you if you managed to submit by the end of the week or something to that effect? Anyway, I've put on weight too. When I was writing up, ridiculous as it might sound, I often felt that I didn't have time to spare 1/2 hour every day to exercise...and I'm paying for it now. I don't remember growing out of my clothes (in a bad way) before, and it was so awful having to go buy new, bigger clothes. Boo hoo. How depressing. I put on weight with no effort whatsoever - why can't I lose it the same way??