19 and starting over...Just a few ?'s!!!!

Z

Ziggy705

0
This post is just a little long but your time and comments would mean the world to someone needing a little help!!MY QUESTIONS ARE NOT REPETITIVE! TRUST ME IVE LOOKED.....

Well im not new to this site but new to posting. Ive been browsing all this info for the past 2 weeks and so far Ive found SO much information! Ive answered all my questions but a few... To give you a little background Im a 5'8'' 19 year old college student who weighs about 250 lbs.I know its bad,i have a 36 BMI, but i recognize the problem and im changing it.Ive always been heavy every since Kindergarden.I cant blame my parents because when they realized that it wasnt just babyfat anymore they cooked healthy meals and pushed me to exercise, but i was stubborn and chose videogames..Ive always been with the in crowd and never took any social criticism for my weight because I stood my ground and have an contageous personality(not to sound cocky). I maintaned the ideal highschool life(even played lacrosse for 2 years) and so far have lived the college dream! So theres no emotional baggage to why im wanting to lose the weight. The reason im here is for my future and i WILL not to end up just another diabetic stat. I wont bore you with more info of how i ended up at 250 but know i lived an active lifestyle in Middle school and highschool playing lacrosse up until my sophmore year. After that is when i gained the most weight. Theres no sappy story of why im doin this i just know i need too...My goal is to atleast be at 200-210 by the end of the year and have a healthy BMI by 2008.

For the past 2 weeks ive been eating a well balanced diet...(5-6 meals throughout the day)No fastfood,No processed foods, no fried food,and no more alchohol. Been drinking about 3L of water each day aswell. I work out daily and so far have only been doing cardio for about 30-45 minutes a day. I know i need to add weights to my regiment but I just learned that today. Thought id lose the weight then build the muscle. So far so good and im already feel 100 times better and feel lighter. I dont have access to a scale so i really cant see if im losing any weight.Im on the right path just have a few questions...........

The first thing i was wondering about was is there a big difference bettween getting daily vitamins, fiber, good fats, ect. from foods or is it the same as taking vitamins(Mens 1 a day, Omega-3 Capsules ect.)

Second, I know after extreme weightloss there is alot of lose extra skin, I know it isnt good to think THAT far ahead but I know adventually i might have to worry about that because i know im gonna lose the weight, Im that determined. Is there anything I can start to do during this process of losing weight to help that issue down the line?

Third, Ive balanced my diet but i dont feel im eating enough calories. I need to start counting my calories, that will help but i feel im still not gettin enough. Im afraid my metabolism is just gonna shut down and not respond to anything. I want to maintain about 2000 calories a day. I eat 5-6 meals as said befor but i know its not enough. Is there any foods high in calories that will give me those extra few i need but still help me maintain a balanced diet? Also, are ALL carbonated beverages bad for you? (ive given up soda) but what about flavored sparkling water?

Finally, I know you cant specifically target one area of your body to lose fat in but for some reason over the last few months my thighs have exploded! I dont know why but there saggy and just nasty. No where else on my body does my skin sag or almost "lump" but it does on my thighs. Its not exactly the most comforting feeling when it comes to being intimate w. a girl! I was wondering what exercises i can do to target this area if any are there. I feel like a girl worrying about my thighs but its my "problem area" right now and I cant even look at them without cringeing.....

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THOSE THAT READ THIS AND YOUR COMMENTS WILL BE EXTREMLEY VALUED!!!
 
1) As long as you're getting all the nutrients that you need you don't need to take a multi-vitamin or any supplements.

2) You're overweight but since you're so young your skin very well may just bounce back as soon as you lose the weight. Sorry, I don't konw about jumpstarting th process though.

3) Yep, count your calories, protein, carbs, and fats. You can use an online database like for free. That'll make sure you get enough calories (and vitamins, fiber, etc) As far as high calorie foods that are good for you...any good sources of protein like chicken breast or good fats like almonds (in moderate quantities of course) should work. I don't think there's anything wrong with carbonated beverages but take a look at the nutrition labels and make sure they're not loaded with sugar. The carbonation itself shouldn't hurt though.

4) Ah, now you know how us girls feel :) To build more muscle in that area, start your weight training SOON! For your legs, you can do lunges, squats, stiff-legged deadlifts, etc. Full body weight training will really help speed up your progress because you'll be building muscle AS you're losing fat.

Congratulations on deciding to make the change to a healthy lifestyle! Let us know if you need more help.

~teresa
 
hi, Ziggy705

Your story inspires me :)
I really admire your dedication to fitness

Believe me you are on the right track, just stay commited, follow the advice and your gonna see a fitter you.

Best of luck on your targets
Benny
 
Eating whole foods is not the same as taking a multi-vitamin. Eating whole foods is BETTER for you than a multi-vitamin. I agree with Teresand77 that you do not need a vitamin if you are eating very healthy foods. However, some people live by their vitamins. So it's totally your call. Either way I don't think you will suffer.

The extra skin may occur. But you are young and that means your skin has can bounce back easier than someone who is older. So just wait it out and see. But in the meantime there are things you can do... start weight training now. And continue with it. The extra muscle will take up some of the skin. Also lose weight safely. Those who go on crash diets and drops loads of weight really, really fast usually suffer from excess skin more so than those who lose weight slowly and safely.

Try adding protein shakes to your menu. This gives you extra protein and the extra calories (if you need to take in more calories). Head over to calculate how many calories per day you need to maintain your weight. Then subtract 500 from that number. Calculators are just estimates, but that's all you need right now.

Carbonated beverages are fine. But check that nutrition label. If it has sugar in it- fructose, sucrose, corn syrup, etc- then skip it. Try finding something without sugar.

Start strength training asap. The extra muscle will help your thighs. You will go through a lot of phases as you drop the body fat. Just keep going. :)

Overall, focus on building muscle and dropping fat. Cardio, strength training and nurition are key. Good luck and I hope you realize you are doing somethign so so so so so good for your body.
 
thanks for all the advice and encouragement....and yes teresand77 i do know how it is to feel like a girl when it comes to that!! Atleast i missed out on the child bareing hips....! Does anyone know a diefference between wheat bread and oat bread?
 
haha...well you'll make a better boyfriend/husband when your girlfriend/wife starts complaining about her thighs because you can relate. :) (not like my husband with his chicken legs with no fat on them!)

I don't know the difference between wheat and oat bread actually. Looking at the nutrition information they seem to be pretty similar. Do you like the taste of one better? If so, I'd go with the one that tastes better to you since they're so similar.

~teresa
 
It depends on the ingredients. Look at the ingredients and go from there. Then compare nutritional labels. The more natural (less ingredients) the better.
 
Hi and welcome! I'm glad you've joined us.

Getting your vitamins and minerals from whole foods is better than from vitamins. Nothing wrong with a multi vit, but make sure you are getting plenty from your food.

As you lose your skin should shrink. Some people do end up with some saggy skin after extreme weight loss, but that's usually over 100 lbs.

Be careful not to go too low in calories. Protein shakes are good. How high is your fat intake? If it's not too hih already, adding a little natural PB will give you some healthy extra cals.

As for your thighs, please just be patient. They will change as you eat right and exercise. I hear your frustrations though.

Good luck!

Sarah
 
So since my last post ive already shed 6 lbs.! I cant believe it, I feel great and everyone comments how they can see a difference already. Im sure ive lost more fat then that but replaced some with a little new muscle..I hope..also any suggestion for sore arms and back(not from lifting wrong but from actually working the muscles for the first time since 1900) from lifting....advil just isn't cutting it....
 
Just keep stretching the sore muscles lightly. That's what I do anyway. Sometimes I'll do some light cardio to get the blood flowing and stretch for 15 minutes.

Congratulations on your progress...keep us updated!
 
Congrats! Keep on going. Be sure to stretch after each workout and as Teresand77 said a little light cardio is good. Just 5 minutes or so of walking. We should always cool down and stretch. Keep going!
 
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