Excited but worried

[luvmyjojo]

Hi everyone, I'm new here. I've finally had it with my ever-increasing weight and I've decided to do something about it.

I've joined a gym and will be starting tomorrow. I'm excited to get started to lose 80 pounds (wow, writing it down makes it seem so much worse!), but I'm also concerned. I keep hearing how working out does not help with weight loss, rather it's more about what you eat. Well, if that's the case then I'm screwed. I eat clean...no fried foods, everything in moderation, and around 1700 calories/day. I weigh around 230 and I'm 5'7" (female, 32 yrs old). I thought if I lowered my calories more than that I'd be in starvation mode which would cause me to retain my fat...the opposite of what I'm trying to accomplish.

I don't understand my body...even at my caloric level I'm still gaining weight, which is why I'm finally going to start working out. But if what I'm hearing is true, I don't know what to do. I hope I'm making sense! I really, REALLY want to lose this weight and feel healthier. I'm tired of losing my breath walking up one flight of stairs! Can someone please offer some insight as to what I need to do, or some advice? I'm not looking for an overnight miracle...I would be thrilled with losing 1-2lbs/week. I just need to know what to do (and what not to do) to be able to see those kinds of results, because obviously what I've been trying hasn't been working, in terms of watching my caloric intake. Thanks in advance!

 

[TimeToFly]

You are making the right choice to eat well. Don't count out exercise! I think you have misunderstood people. Just because exercise is a lesser part of weight loss doesn't mean that it is any less essential to your health, or to the whole process.

What people mean when they say that diet is 90-% of weight loss is that if you eat junk food, have a crappy lifestyle, and work out like a fiend, you aren't going to achieve the same results as someone who eats well, has a good lifestyle AND is on a strict diet.

Trust me, exercise makes you feel better, and will help you achieve your weight loss goals more expeditiously than just dieting and sitting around.

 

[Omega]

We need an all round approach which doesnt just mean to not eat junk and count calories - but getting your full nutrition right. That certainly makes a difference.

Exercise does indeed bring in a major ingredient. I would say that all the experienced weight losers here do a fair bit of exercise.

I suggest that you visit some of the diaries of the successful weight losers and see what they do - and copy some of their tricks. What works for them may well work for you.

 

[treadmillsfs]

Hi there, you know I really believe that working out on a gym is not a big help to loose weight. I heard that most of the people who works out in a gym doesn't get the weight they want to accomplish and it's because of the fast foods. Of course, after working out for 2 hours or so you will feel very hungry and the fastest way to take out your hunger is thru eating foods in fast food restaurants that carries a high amount of calories.

Working out in your own home can be a better choice. I also think that it's not good to avoid fried foods, we all know that everybody needs an extra fat to store in the body (especially to those who want to undergo work outs) and it's mostly found on fried fatty foods. What can I advice you is that keep everything in moderation and focus yourself on eating fiber rich foods. It is also better if you will prioritize balanced eating first and when you loose weight through it, that was the right time to work out.

I hope am able to help you and good luck to your goal...

 

[KaraCooks]

I eat clean...no fried foods, everything in moderation, and around 1700 calories/day. I weigh around 230 and I'm 5'7" (female, 32 yrs old).

CAn I ask how you know how many calories you eat? Do you measure your food? Weigh it? How do you look up the calorie level? Do you log everythign you put in your mouth? Because, quite honestly, if you are eating at 1700 calories per day and not losing weight, then there is something wrong.

However, studies have shown that most people vastly underestimate the number of calories that they consume - by as much as 30% to 50% sometimes.

I would say that for a week you should log your food - measure it, weigh it, and be completely obsessive about it for a week. You might be surprised at how much you're actually eating.

As far as exercise .. I firmly believe that exercise is a key component of losing weight and getting fit, but ultimately if you're not in control of what you eat, you can exercise until you're blue and you won't lose anything.