Type 2 diabetes is a severe health problem that is affecting a growing number of people every year. The most common factor in the development of this disease is weight gain. And few people gain as much weight as college students, particularly after their secondary education is over.
Therefore, you need to understand how to take control of your weight before you develop this condition. And even if you are already experiencing some symptoms of type 2 diabetes, losing weight can eliminate or at least reduce many of them.
Weight Gain in College Is Common
Weight gain is an issue that occurs in college students with alarming frequency. For example, Health.com states that 70 percent of all college students gain weight. And continued weight gain post-college is also a regular occurrence, often lasting for several years after they finish classes.
Continued weight gain after finishing college is often the result of poor health habits learned during the time spent here. Many of these habits become ingrained and hard to quit after college is finished. Just a few of the worst of these habits include:
Uncontrolled Eating – Students free from parental control often start overeating and eating food that is very unhealthy, such as potato chips, fast food, and pizza.
Energy Drink Consumption – Chugging energy drinks for all-night studying sessions (or to finish your work outside of college) will add a lot of empty calories to your diet and put on extra weight.
Lack of Exercise – High school athletes who didn’t transition to college play may find that their lifestyle is more sedentary, which can cause weight gain.
Alcohol Abuse – Drinking is a common problem for many college students. And this kind of excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to minor to severe weight gain.
Type 2 Diabetes May Be a Concern
All of that college and post-college extra weight is going to put a severe strain on your body, particularly your pancreas. This organ is responsible for producing insulin in your body. Insulin is critical for breaking down sugar and turning it into energy for your body.
Excessive weight gain may result in decreased insulin sensitivity, meaning you’re your body is not fully absorbing the sugar in your body. However, this doesn’t have to be a permanent condition. Unlike type 1 diabetes, you can reverse type 2 with improved fitness, nutrition, and weight loss.
Losing Your College Weight Is a Workout
If you are still in college or transitioning to a post-college lifestyle, you can adjust your nutrition and exercise routines to burn off the fat. There are several different methods you can use, some of which were suggested by notable fitness website FitWirr. They recommended a handful of the following techniques, among many others:
- Regularly lift weights to build larger muscles – bigger muscles will burn more calories even while you relax
- Drink water, instead of soda or juice, to minimize your empty-calorie intake
- Stand up while watching television or playing video games to avoid sitting for extended periods
- Take “jumping jack” breaks for 10 minutes every 50 minutes that you work
- Skip the elevator and take the stairs to burn extra calories every day
- Eliminate bad carbs – like potato chips – from your diet and eat more fruit
- Eat off of smaller plates to minimize your portions and avoid overeating
- Stop eating second helpings or desserts but eat small snacks – such as almonds – when you are hungry
Follow these tips to lose your college weight and fight off symptoms of type 2 diabetes. And if you need extra help shedding those excess pounds, contact Milwaukee Medical Weightloss & Medispa to learn more about your fitness and nutrition options.
