Another newbie

kerich1117

kerich1117

New member
The basics:
Age - 21
Height - 5'7.5"
Weight - 140

Alright well my weight has been pretty inconsistent over the past few years so here is a little background:

When I was a freshman in college my weight dropped from 140 to 130, I went home for the summer and started gaining weight. By the end of sophomore year I was up to 152. Over the next year I really changed my eating habits and went to the gym a lot. My weight dropped to 126. I wasn't necessarily on a diet, just ate a lot of fruits and vegetables. Well I worked really hard to maintain that over the summer, but then I lost someone really close to me August 11. Well after that I sort of let myself go, eating a lot of comfort food, tons of snacks, empty calories, etc. Well it sort of got out of hand and I know I am eating way too many calories of the wrong foods. It also doesn't help that I was sick for about two weeks and couldn't go to the gym. Either way, I'm up to 140 and really want to get my body back under control. Basically, I need clue me in on my calorie intake, what it should be to lose weight. Any tips on controlling snacking/cravings would also be greatly appreciated. I'm ready to fit into my clothes again.

Thanks.
KR
 
Alright well my weight has been pretty inconsistent over the past few years so here is a little background:

When I was a freshman in college my weight dropped from 140 to 130, I went home for the summer and started gaining weight. By the end of sophomore year I was up to 152. Over the next year I really changed my eating habits and went to the gym a lot. My weight dropped to 126. I wasn't necessarily on a diet, just ate a lot of fruits and vegetables. Well I worked really hard to maintain that over the summer, but then I lost someone really close to me August 11. Well after that I sort of let myself go, eating a lot of comfort food, tons of snacks, empty calories, etc. Well it sort of got out of hand and I know I am eating way too many calories of the wrong foods. It also doesn't help that I was sick for about two weeks and couldn't go to the gym. Either way, I'm up to 140 and really want to get my body back under control. Basically, I need clue me in on my calorie intake, what it should be to lose weight. Any tips on controlling snacking/cravings would also be greatly appreciated. I'm ready to fit into my clothes again.


I'm going to assume you are a girl. You appear to have the propensity to lose weight with minimal changes (it helps that you're young). It 'might' not be as easy this time around...but I hope it is. As for your calorie intake...there is absolutely ZERO way that I will know. Your BMR (base metabolic rate) is a measure of what you burn while resting. It varies considerably between people.

Between the time you dropped 26 lbs (152 to 126) your metabolism might have changed. Perhaps just cutting out junk food and a general exercise program will get you back to that point again. It's not guaranteed though. My general advice would be (and this is not complete)

1: Carb intake should be modified by protein intake. That is, if you ever eat carbs, you should be also ingesting protein (meats, peanuts, milk).
2: Exercise is a very helpful component. It helps build muscle mass which will improve your physique...even a couple extra pounds on the scale is fine if you have a lean muscular look. (aka no one likes the dough-like girl).

If you are interested in an exercise program or just want an opinion on your daily diet (be honest!) than just reply with that info. We will be more than willing to help.

Michael
 
Thanks for the information.

First of all, for the 26 pound drop I am pretty sure it was because of the exercise. I went from pretty much nothing (gym every two weeks type thing) to working out at least five days a week.

As far as protein is concerned, do you have any tips for how, as a vegetarian, I would get enough. I drink milk, and eat a good number of dairy products. I try to limit peanut butter, etc but still eat it on a fairly regular basis.

For exercise, I usually run 20 minutes (8.5 min/mile). I always start at a slower pace (6.7ish) and end up around 7.4. Sometimes I switch it up and adjust the speed in intervals. Then I use some other cardio machine to put my total cardio time between 40 and 55 minutes. This is usually either the bike or eliptical. These I always do on the weight loss setting, adjusting the incline, resistence etc in intervals. Then I use the weight machines. I switch back and forth between arms and legs and do a few ab exercises every time.

And as far as eating is concerned, Its not that I eat unhealthy foods (as much), its just the quantity. I switch between cereal and yogurt for breakfast, always with fruit and coffee. The rest of the day, however, is just constant snacking. I know this is my problem, its just a hard habit to break.

I don't know my BMR, and honestly I don't even know, at this point, how many calories I should be consuming at this weight to maintain it. I haven't been at this weight long enough. I knew when I was at 126 how much I usually ate, but couldn't give you exact numbers.
 
Hey, we sound somewhat alike. I'm 5'7 - 5'7.5 and somewhere between 135-140 I imagine.. I need to doublecheck for certain.. I always have trouble with that 10-15lbs. It comes off easily when I'm actually not being lazy, but the whole dedication thing just screws me after about a week lol. Which is why I'm here I guess, to finally lose it for good. About a month or so ago I was at 128 but fell off the wagon. I'm also a vegetarian! Vegetarian/vegan. I guess that's why it always comes off pretty quickly.. and yeah, my problem is also quantity. I usually have 5 small meals a day, but sometimes Im just perpetually snacking all the bloody time. I mean ALL the TIME. What I get for protein is tofu, nuts, seeds, almond butter, soy products (milk and crap..), ehm..the bread I eat has a bit... I'm trying to think of what else..

As for my exercise routine, I've finally just made it up to 30 minutes running. It took forever lol.. I've been gradually building up. It took longer because of the whole on-and-off dedication thiing... I do it at the park. There's lots of different inclines and terrains and stuff through the trails so it's pretty varied. And I do some resistance and weight training.. but I havent for about 2 weeks..so I should really start that..

I haven't found the secret to controlling snack cravings yet.. so if you do, let me know lol
 
Shane -

we do sound like we're in pretty similar situations. Out of curiousity, what sort of calorie intake do you go for. I know it varies per person but with similar stats it would seem like it would be in the same ballpark. I usually go for 1500 but that it not based on anything scientific.

What made you decide to go vegan?
 
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