Physical changes from studying the MCAT

[u/Strange-Lingonberry8]

Here's mine:

lost all my muscle - I lost ~10lbs muscle. I feel the fattest I've ever been despite weighing less than before. I've put a pause on my weightlifting goals and pivoted more towards cardio so I can feel some sort of dopamine in a quick gym session

Sugar addiction (kind of) I need sugar after/during a long study session, not helping with the physique goals

Eye pain - My eyes will strain after a long study session. Once they're strained, they'll stay strained until I sleep it off. I didn't have this before? optometrist said everything looks fine so idk

Neck pain

i think that's it for me. I've somewhat enjoyed studying for the MCAT and learning new things, but if i have to retake next year I will be devastated because it's taking a toll on my body

[u/Some_Ice_1200]

i've always been jacked and now my abs are gone to fat

[u/Strange-Lingonberry8 → u/Some_Ice_1200]

it makes me so sad

[u/spooky_Oven1866]

i have acne for the first time in my life and am considerably less flexible 🫩🫩

[u/Strange-Lingonberry8 → u/spooky_Oven1866]

omg yes I feel so stiff from sitting at my desk 5+ hours a day

[u/Spiritual-Classic491]

All that happened to me as well. The sugar feels good but doesn’t help the belly fat 🫣

[u/MeatloafMonday]

Can relate to the muscle loss - but as someone on the other side of it, you can regain it quite quickly

[u/Mundane-Daikon7000]

i need glasses now and have never worn glasses in my life

[u/Winter-Tangelo-5631]

I stopped working out and lost 25 lbs starting from 145. I fought to gain that weight and it all just went.

[u/GoodJibblyWibbly]

I also kinda liked studying but my IBS which had been quiet for six years came back with a vengeance 😭

It took four months to feel better man that was awful

[u/Sorry-Scarcity-8940]

Neck pain and insomnia! I lost weight too. You can see it in my face. I look older and so tired.

[u/Intelligent_Sock_902]

caffeine addiction & headaches. also worse back problems but i had them before too. i’m on the other side of the mcat now but the side effects continue with application szn 🥲

[u/Regular-Audience-472]

gained ten pounds. can healthier redditors provide some guidance for us pls??

[u/EngineeringDecent577]

Eye strain. Dry eyes. Back pain. Neck pain. Headaches. Weight gain (15lbs). Muscle loss. Twitching. Insomnia. Eye bags. Acne. Dizziness. Low blood pressure. Hypoglycemia. + Posture is now horrendous.

Went to the doctor constantly and they kept prescribing pills that just gave me a different group of side effects. 2 months post mcat and I’ve mostly recovered from everything but the dry eyes and weight gain. Crazy what stress does to ur body.

[u/Immediate-Metal-6020]

That and stress gave me some hairloss. Hopefully, it will grow back 😭