Use your eating time as your "break time" - that is, when you're eating stay away from your books, as you can get easily distracted when you're eating AND reading/studying at the same time and overeat. Schedule in your snacking and meal times, so you get breaks and aren't tempted to take too long ... for example, when I was doing my MA, I got up at 8:00 a.m. everyday and did my morning run, which lasted about 30-45 min, and helped me clear my head. Then I came back and studied/wrote until 11:00 or so and took a half hour break ... etc. The most important thing is to find a balance so you're not overwhelmed and inactive - stress can often lead to weight gain for some people. So always stop in the evening at 5:30 or 6:00 pm, and exercise or do something else enjoyable. Some great snacks that I found helped me keep awake and alert are nuts (which everyone says, but it's true) and grapes. I find that things which are small but healthy makes me feel like I am eating a lot, even if it is just a handful. It's a good alternative to junk food like M&Ms, etc. which you can really crave when studying! Replace caffeine throughout the day with water or juice, that helps too! I hope that was helpful, Good luck!

Why don't you try small meals like every 3 hours? Thats what I have been doing and the every three hour break from studying is welcome then. I also bring my books to the gym and prop them up while I do the stairmaster. Also, try not to drink as much soda...personally, I had a hard time giving up my diet coke. So I replaced it with one bottle regular water followed by one bottle of water with a crystal light flavor packet. I have been slowly on my way to losing a significant amount by doing that. Hope it helps!

The title of this post is absurd! I hope you aren't seriously considering dropping your degree to go on a diet!

Losing weight is about eating less and exercising. Anyone who truly wants to do this can find time to do it. I think you're using school as an excuse.

Studies show that exercising and eating healthily improve brain function anyway, so losing weight and doing well in school can go hand in hand.

I agree with Pop- the title of this post is absurd.

Additionally, the idea that you'll be studying all day with the exception of sleep for the next 4.5 months is absurd. You either did not plan for your exams correctly, or you do not know how to study correctly. Either way, you're going to have to figure out how to maximize the time you have for studying and the time you have for exercise and meal planning and the time you have for getting out and taking care of yourself.

i agree-do both. good luck

your masters should come first. do whatever you want in four months.

With 4.5 months left, you definitely have time to do both. A good start is to make a good study plan, with breaks for food calculated.

Try to keep the snacks healthy - vegetables/fruits, and drink water. If you're drinking coffee, try to switch to green tea or oolong tea instead.

If you're attending classes, walk to class at a rapid pace to get the heart rate up (unless it is on the other side of town, in which case get off the bus the stop before and walk from there). If you're not attending class, maybe take a 30 minute walk before you start studying, getting fresh air and some exercise can only help your concentration.

Making healthy meals doesn't have to take long, and your brain needs the break from the studying.

It's probably not the time to start a diet that has set regulations, but by changing your eating a bit and by walking around a bit, you can lose weight and gain more energy for the studies. My sister actually lost 30 lbs in a year by not eating chips, cutting down on chocolate intake, adding more greens to her diet, and walking 30 minutes a day on most days.

i started on my PhD two years ago and since then lost 130 pounds. it ain't easy, but if i can do it, you can do it too.

I agree with the suggestions others have given, and I'd add that studying while standing can allow you to stretch a little, do calf-raises, etc. I stand and read sometimes (in the privacy of my apartment, not at the library, or anything), and it helps keep my energy up. Also, drinking green tea, water with lemon, or another non-sweetened beverage is helpful because it keeps you hydrated, and it forces you to get up every hour or so to use the bathroom, which keeps you moving. I try not to snack at all when I'm studying, but sugar-free Jello is quick and easy, and so are whole wheat pretzels, and almost any kind of fruit. Try chewing sugar-free gum, too, if you have a sweet tooth. I also do yoga 6 or 7 days per week. It's not a lot of activity, but it will keep your muscles from constantly being tense, and it helps relieve stress. I've been in law school for almost a year and a half and haven't gained any weight, so it is possible. Don't be too hard on yourself, though, because you don't need the stress of extreme dieting on top of the stress school already provides.

Go for them both girl... you don't just have one goal in life do you? No!!!! I go to the gym all the time and see people on the machines reading their books. "books to take their masters exams more specifically!!!"... If you want something bad enough you will do it no matter the times you do it or the amount of time it takes...
Take care of yourself...& Good Luck!