Working Out and Weight Issues.

Every since college started, I've been gaining weight from eating too much or not eating enough. A few months back, I weighed myself and realized that I had gained 20 pounds from just a few months. That was pretty shocking. I know, stereotypically, girls are constantly watching their weight, always needing to be reassured that their body size is perfect ("Do I look fat in this?" or "I'm voluptuous, not fat.") and up to college, I was okay with my weight. I used to be really skinny as a kid since all I did was act like a monkey around the playground, but after middle school kicked in and puberty hit, I began to eat more and become less active (I discovered the joys, or in retrospect, pains, of the internet) and started to gain weight constantly.

After the first two years of high school, PE was no longer required (though, I did a semester of swimming) and I just never really broke out of the habits of eating a lot and fell out of habit of just playing around outside.

In any case, even then, I was okay with my weight. Maybe I had a little chub, but I know that people weren't going "Omg, she's so fat." behind my back. Then college came. After the first two weeks, I was so surprised at gaining around 5 pounds. At first, I didn't really think of it. "Oh, it's only 5 lbs. What's the big deal?" but those five pounds ballooned to 10 lbs, which ballooned to 20 pounds.. I was gaining weight exponentially.

I didn't really work out for the first two quarters. Maybe once in a week or twice a week and then stop for a while. I don't know why it was so erratic, but that was just how it was. Also in the second quarter, I spent most of my time in the basement of Kemper programming 10 hours at a time and would often skip meals. I am so not proud of that. Basically when I got back from finishing up, I was staving to the point that I would eat way too much way too fast and pass out from food comas.

I never realized how important it was to eat regularly. I had always been eating at home and you know, food was provided for you so I didn't have to worry about getting up or going out and getting stuff to eat. But at college, it was so easy to have time pass and forget about eating. I'm not stupid, I know that starving myself will inevitably make me gain weight, but it was hard getting even two meals a day in.

So, right now, I'm making a pact with myself. I'm gonna try and hit the gym every day (at least for most of the week. Maybe skip a day if I'm really sore or have plans) and eat at least two meals with a snack. I've already lost the love of pizza and burgers so I eat those sparingly now.

Anyways, does anyone know what kind of running shoes are good (and painless on a college girl's budget)? My shoes are totally worn out. The heel is pretty slippery...