How To Stay Healthy?

How do I stay healthy...?

• I'm 5'9 and I am a healthy weight, but my BMI is 23.5-24. This year I'm living at a hall of residence (dorm) which is catered and the food they give us is really fatty, like they soak their veges in butter, we have pizza or fried food for lunch etc. Nothing is healthy here. I go to the supermarket and buy my own fruit though. I also have chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia so I'm always in pain, tired and have very low levels of energy. My doctor also thinks I have Multiple sclerosis and endometriosis. I have a gym membership, but last month I had the flu, chest infection and my asthma was very bad and I'm still recovering. The only swimming pool is ages from where I live. I try to do pilates and yoga, but it causes me a lot of pain and I usually just end up in tears. I don't know what I'm suppose to do. I'm only 18 and I feel like if I can't find some way to exercise then I'm going to become obese. I've been to so many doctors and specialists but they don't understand, or tell me that I'm a healthy weight and I don't need to worry. I don't know what to do...? How can I eat healthier when I don't have much of a choice on what's being served and find an way to exercise without causing me pain..?

• Answer:

  Its good that you recognise the food you are being offered. And I am surprised anybody actually eats that stuff. It sounds disgusting. I feel your pain though, I go to university and am always short of cash and have to find ways to eat healthy. I write my shopping list before I go out and it usually looks like this: chicken breast Lean rump Steak Frozen Vegetables eggs wholegrain wraps or muffins 80% cocoa Dark Chocolate Almonds Greek Yoghurt Organic Honey That usually comes to around AUS$70 a week and easily gives me a minimum of 3 meals a day (usually about 5). I also buy some protein powder once a month. Exercise is important aswell. I would recommend doing some form of exercise. I understand that Fibromyalgia is going to inhibit you a bit. Some low impact exercise such as walking or swimming 3 times a week will really help. Just so you know, by following that shopping list I have lost around 6 kgs. Now weighing about 90kgs (200lbs), 32 inch waist.