Greetings :) Need some advice too :D

[Eoghan]

I'm 19 from Ireland and want to lose some weight! And get in shape

I started, after some procrastination, to start losing weight. I use the couch to 5k programme. It says to do it 3 times a week but I plan on doing it every day. Is this bad?

Also, I need some info on pre exercise eating, I wake at 7 usually, eat a small bowl of Muesli, a glass of water/orange juice and usually an apple, then go jogging about 1.5-2 hours later. Is this ok or is it bad?

Also, I am going to buy some weights soon and was just wondering what I should be going for. What weights exactly(kg), dumbbells or barbells? Any info is appreciated thanks

How do I count calories exactly? Today my sister made me dinner but I couldn't tell just with my eyes how many calories were in it. On the subject of meals, I find it hard to adjust now, when I should eat, how often, and what I should be eating. Any ideas?

Any other tips too please feel free to post

 

[shebaby]

Welcome! im new here to so i cant give u much advice just wanted to show my support. I was advised to start a diary on here and im going to advise the same to you... u wont believe the support you will recieve. Also it will be easy to keep track and ask questions. As for counting calories...well i just started that today... check the web for programs and information. u can even google nutrition information such as " banana nutrition facts" or just google "Banana Calories"...thats how im finding mine for now...
Good luck!

 

[amy1985]

Hi, and welcome

I can't answer all of your questions, but I can give you some ideas to get you started.

I don't know about the couch to 5k program specifically. But generally, you need to do what you feel comfortable with. Are you able to manage the work involved every day without breaks, without feeling sore or hurting yourself? Is this a time commitment you're reasonably able to keep up? Are there any other problems you might conceive of with keeping that up? 3 days a week is probably more realistic in the long term for most people, but if you can do it then that's great.

I don't know about how to count calories when other people cook food for you, but you can do three things to count calories. One is the obvious using the side of the packet (under energy) and measuring/ weighing your portions. The second is using a calorie calculator (I use a program called cron-o-meter, which is a free download, and while it's an American program, it's a good approximation for most things and it allows you to enter your own products) or recipe calculator (again American, but still very useful): Calorie Count :: New Recipe

On what you should be eating, do you have a set calorie allowance? (If not, use this website: BMR Calculator ) My feeling on when/ how often is "what feels comfortable for you". Some people say you should eat lots of meals a day, some people say you should stick to three, some people don't agree with snacking. Stuff that. If it works for you and it's in your calorie allowance, do it (personally, I have three meals a day and 2-4 small snacks a day, because if I don't eat regularly I start to feel sick). The aim is not to make yourself miserable- it's to lose weight.

On what you should be eating- low or lower calorie choices of healthy food. I presume Ireland has a nutriton/ health body with some sort of food pyramid or portion guidance- if not, the NHS in England has helpful information: Lose weight - Live Well - NHS Choices (I try to live by 5 fruit and vegetables a day, 80-100g lean meat or substitute a day, lots of variety). You might also want to look at this thread for more detail: http://weight-loss.fitness.com/nutrition/13065-easiest-nutrition-guidelines-ever.html

To get you started, I'd suggest looking at some weight loss diaries on this forum to give you some ideas on how other people are going about it, and possibly starting up your own if you want advice, encouragement, and accountability. It's really helped me.