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Weight.

Well, like many others I'm not the most qualified to offer advice as my body is still a work in progress.

See, I was just the opposite of you -- At your age, I was 5'2" and 106lbs. I was downright tiny. I'm still a little dude, but at 23 years of age, I'm now 5'9" and 158lbs.

I tried and tried all through school to put on weight, gain muscle, etc to no avail. I was just too active, I think. Anyway...

I was 185lbs this time last year. What finally put the pounds on me was mostly a combination of stress/depression and lack of physical activity because of said stress/depression.

About this time last year, I got tired of being out-of-shape. All through my teenage years I was very athletic and very in shape but I never had any size.

So, now that I had the size, I finally decided it was time to stop being over-weight and out-of-shape and actually work on my physique again. I started looking around for websites, and I stumbled across

www.bodybuilding.com

I know that you're probably not interested in becoming buff with a six-pack like I am, but don't let the name of the site dissuade you from checking it out. BB.com is filled with EVERYTHING you need to lose weight, gain confidence, AND change that fat to muscle.

There's online support forums there, tips and tricks of the trade, everything. They even have the biggest online store for physical wellness out there. You can't really beat their prices either. It's just simply an amazing website and I accredit it to my losing 35lbs of my weight (Yeah, 185-158 doesn't equal 35lbs, but that's the total weight I lost - I've since regained 8lbs of muscle).

Seriously, check it out. :)

That'd be my first suggestion to you. A couple of things I stand strongly for that EVERYONE needs, is the following:

1 - Make a goal. Not a dream, a goal. Start in teeny tiny increments, say...5lbs lost within a month. Work towards that goal with all you've got. Once you achieve that one, increase it to...lets say, another 5lbs gone in the next month, and a better time around your running course than what you're currently doing.

Goals are very important, but for you to achieve them, you need to start small and work your way up.

2 - Surround yourself with people who will encourage and support you in achieving those goals. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to fight your body AND your friends.

If it takes going to a gym to find like-minded people, then so be it. Now, if one of those people is willing to be your 'work-out' buddy, that's even better! Someone who will come over to your house and drag you off the couch when you don't 'feel like it'. A person like that is VERY helpful (but not vital) to achieving your goals, as they'll depend on you to drag THEM off the couch when THEY don't feel like it. :D

Anyway, sorry for the long post. I just felt the need to let you know that I too was a little heavier than I wanted to be and despite still having a flabby belly and pecs, I'm 150% better built than I was a year ago.

Good luck, buddy.

-Matt
 
well George, I'm interested to find out what advice the doctor gave you. I wonder if we who could stand to lose a few pounds could motivate each other and maybe start a thread where we check in weekly and say if we lost any weight that week, how we did it, what we found hardest etc...just a thought.
 
Hello guys, well it's probably pretty early were you all are, your all probably at work, but I just got back from school, instead of the bigger portions I normally have, I actually had a smallish dinner, I had a small ham roll, with a big drink of water, I'm actually feeling full, and more then just for 5mins LOL! I thank you ALL SO much for all your great support, I actually woke up this morning and had some frosted corn flakes, because I forgot that in the draw we had some muesli (full of fruit and nuts) and bran flakes, so tomorrow, I shall have a small ball of one of them instead, but I did do well with dinner, and i'm going to have a nice small but filling tea tonight, with lots of veg! : )

Going to the doctors in 40mins, will let you all know how it went, I'm a lot happy today, I have had a lot of support from the family and now a lot of support for you guys, so i'am really happy, but I will try my best, and I will keep you all updated on this thread!

-George-
thanks.
 
Good luck George. I'm sure as you get fitter your breathlessness will improve too. You are young enough that a change to your habits now should set you on a healthier course, so you'll find the more active you become, the more you enjoy being active.
The only caution I'd give is to perhaps stop thinking about this in terms of losing weight and think of it as a change in lifestyle. Don't give up or think badly of yourself if the change in shape and size doesn't happen quickly, because with healthier habits it will happen at a good and healthy rate.
I'd definately follow the advice to walk more with good footwear on, rather than strain your joints with impact excercise. The gym is difficult if you have problems with your body image, as seeing the other, fitter people working out can get a little bit depressing, so you might be better joining an activity class where the focus is on what you do being fun, rather than how you look.
 
hey along the lines of exercise, when you are walking around in your school don't walk slow. Stand tall and walk from heel to toe while swinging your arms at a 90 degree angle. It may look funny but it makes your body work more. When you go for your walks do the same thing, don't walk at a slow pace, get moving. You want to sweat and you want to feel the burn.

Trying swimming once or twice a week see if there is a local swim team or some place you can get lessons. Even if your a great swimmer taking lessons will make you think about things and the trainer should help drive you. I'm not really sure what the UK offers but I'm sure you can find something.

Now this is an old things that my track coach made us do to slim down, wear sweats and DRINK! Unless it reaches 90 degrees F wear sweats, both top and bottoms. It will force your body to sweat which will help you lose weight faster but you HAVE to drink! not only water but gatorade or some kind of sports drink because you'll going to be losing a lot of things that your body needs. What we had to do was drink 7 16oz bottles before we came to practice, one 32 oz bottle of Gatorade right before we started warming up, 4 16 oz bottles while we practiced, and then we had to drink another 32 oz bottle of gatorade before we left and 3 bottles of water before we went to sleep. YES we went to the bathroom a LOT but not one of us passed out because of the heat and we all lot weight. Now, I'm not saying you have to do the same thing, our practices were two hours long and I hope your walks wont be more then 20 mins starting off. It's just an idea, not only that but it keeps everything warm which will decrease your chances of cramping up.

Streach!!! One thing that is a must is streaching!!! Cramps are a pain and are not worth it. Spend 10 mins at the LEAST streaching every thing you can before you walk and 10 mins after you walk. There are many ways to streach your body. Don't forget about your butt, it will be sore too. I can go over how to do some things if you want, just let me know.

Cool down, about 5 mins before your down take off the sweats and slow your pace. Your body needs a cool down time. If your set up a play list make the last few songs slow songs so you can relax and let your body cool off.

If I think of anything else I'll let you know. I can't tell you much about food because I stuff my face.
 
diamondlil said:
The gym is difficult if you have problems with your body image, as seeing the other, fitter people working out can get a little bit depressing, so you might be better joining an activity class where the focus is on what you do being fun, rather than how you look.
Click to expand...

I find it quite the opposite, actually. I see those people as my inspiration.

Of course, I know everyone is different and the activity class is a very good suggestion. I just wanted George to know that there IS a pro to seeing fit people working out. :D
 
Yep Matthew, that's why I said 'if there are problems with your body image' I, personally, choose the gym sessions that coincide with the young men from the local army barracks. (oh lord that sounds bad, so I'll explain further!)
At those times, there is both a camerarderie and competative edge that I enjoy. My regular gym-buddie has moved away, but at those times you can easily find someone to 'spot' for you on the weights, there's encouragement and banter and a really good atmosphere. One of my work colleagues wanted to lose weight so I encouraged her to come along. She found it too intimidating, and instead goes to the earlier sessions which are attended by older, more sedate users, then joined a 'bums and tums' class instead.
So, while I enjoy more active sessions than my friend, we both benefit from the gym. (She's also a brilliant swimmer and goes to lane sessions, whereas I have to stay in the shallow end and splash about in the fun sessions)
 
hey guys, once again thanks, I just returned from the doctors, and this time I actually made it pretty clear to her that I need to loose weight, although I think she already knew that, she has booked me in to meet a diet person, who should show me lot's of nice foods i can eat, and will show me different things that have more or less calories, and she will basically be my mentor through this process, also I'm getting blood tests done, just to see if I do have any signs of diabetes, or anything out of place, high blood pressure and things, and last but not least, she said that there are diet pills but we need to try hard with exercise and eating healthy before considering the pills,

I'm going to try my best, she weighed me at 19.7, the nextdoor shop weighed me at 20.3 stone, and since she is a doctor, I think hers will be more accurate, so I'm like 9 pounds less then I thought I was, but theres still a long way to go..
 
diamondlil said:
Yep Matthew, that's why I said 'if there are problems with your body image' I, personally, choose the gym sessions that coincide with the young men from the local army barracks.
Click to expand...

Psh. You can't fool me. I know exactly why you go to the gym when they do.
:grin01:

George,

That sounds great, man. Good luck!
 
my two cents

1. Always try and remember your initial motivations! Maybe make a poster and put it on your wall, with messages on you've wrote to yourself to keep on track (although im not overweight, im putting an anti-smoking one up for myself as soon as the ban comes here on the 1st of July).

2. As others have said, swimming is great exercise and would definately help you in exercising whilst reducing those knee pains you mentioned

Good luck mate
 
well, you've taken the first step George, that's great ! Now, don't look back !!!
Just think what good inspiration you'll be for James, you can be his roll model as he grows up, and you'll show him the benefits of good healthy food and fitness.
 
George,

I was a skinny kid, but ever since college have fought with weight. I'm going to recommend something based on what I know about you.

You are a people person. Join a weight loss group. Better yet, establish your own group. Your chances of losing weight will grow tenfold if you have a support group of kids your own age.

You love the internet. Find yourself a weight loss group. talk to people who are going through the same thing you're going through. Look for a diet plan you can live with. Find a method of exercise that suits you. When I was 27 I lost 60 pounds by dancing at the clubs three times a week. Yes, I was a disco bunny.​

One depressing note...you must commit for life. I routinely lose 30 lbs or more and gain it back. I weighed 180 after my heart surgery two years ago. In February I weighed 273. I'm 238 today. It's a damn fight every day. In the end, you'll lose weight when you get sick and tired of being sick and tired. Good Luck. We are all rooting for you.
 
George,
I applaud you for reaching out to find a support base in your efforts to get healthy. Though we are a cornsnake community, the bottom line is we are a "community" and those of us here who are quite regular get a sense of knowing each other, so I can assure you, if you reach out we will respond. I am quite passionate about the problem of childhood/teenage obesity and offer you my support and advice whenever suited. As a dancer of many years, I have researched and learned alot about foods and how to eat properly with a well balanced and tasty diet, as well as how to work with your body, not against it, to keep metabolism up and reduce cravings, etc. I will share with you all that I know to help you learn these things.

As you search high and low for different ways to lose weight, I encourage you not to try alot of fad diets or crazy things to get weight off fast. these are not your answer. Education about foods and how your body reacts to them and how much excercise you need is the important things. These things you learn and take along with you your entire life so that you dont have weight problems in the future.

Weight loss at an average of one pound a week is a good average to try for at first and as you get more active you will see that you could lose 2-3 pounds some weeks. The main thing is dont give up on yourself, and when you slip up and eat something you know is bad, dont beat yourself up about it. Just vow that the next day you are going to stick to your plan.

best wishes to you George.
 
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