Hello! Advice please?

R

RighteousJams88

New member
Hi everyone! My name is Justin and I'm new to this site, and more or less fitness altogether, haha. My biggest problem as of right now is where to start. I'm 24 years old and on the heavy side. I have a large frame, and a good amount of muscle from my job, but I most definitely have a slight gut and love handles. I'm 6' 2" and 240 lbs right now. I cant really describe my diet because its wildly inconsistent. However, I will say that it mostly consists of energy drinks and 1 to 2 large meals late in the day (bad...I know). I don't eat fast food often, mostly home cooked...but large portions. I do a lot of lifting and hammering/bending from 7am to 4pm 5 days a week for work, but almost nothing on the cardio side of things. When I get home from work I don't workout at all, however I have every intention of changing that asap. I did recently quit smoking and already feel a million times better from that alone. I'm much more motivated to get started since I quit. Basically I want to lose my midsection to the point where I dont feel self conscious to the point of wearing nothing but jackets and hoodies constantly, and being totally uncomfortable in my own skin. Advice for a good starting point would be greatly appreciated!
 
Hey Justin,
Well first off. you can to a very great place to get support and advice. I have a few up on you. I am 46 and was at 308 and have been for a very long time. tomorrow is going to be my one month date from when I "Changed my Lifestyle". And that is very much what it is. Not only that it is changing the way you think. You really got to be ready for it. In your head. You want it, you can do it. But take it slow. Do not jump into it real fast or you will crash. What I did was I started to shrink my portions of food. I did that about 2 months before I went for it. Then when I started my "Diet" (I really hate using that word because EVERYONE is on a "Diet" just some are full of junk food and over eating) I cut out all sugar usage. Cut out those energy drinks. Super BAD!! Started reading labels for calorie amounts. Eat allot of veggies and fruits (I do not do any citrus) No breads. There is allot of great info on nutrition on this forum. I have felt the change. I too have a very physical job. The thing is your body gets use to the work you do everyday. So you have to do extra when you get home. I am slowly starting working out. I started to walking a half hour almost every night. I am going to move into bike riding soon. I have started doing a little lifting weights and as much exercise I can. But you have to go into it gradually. Your not as heavy or old as I am so you may be able to go farther quicker then I can. Also do not be in a hurry. You will let yourself down and that may cause you to give up. Don't! In my first month, I have lost 18 lbs. I do not look very different yet. But I am on the way. I actually feel that I loss too much and want to slow down my weight loss. Only because again, I am old and the fear of having a ton of flabby skin frightens me. So I want to make that as less as I possibly can.
There are a bunch of people that know more then I do and they will chime in. I have already gotten allot of great advice here. Just know that you CAN do this. It really is all about where your head is at.
Best of luck
Matt
 
Start slowly Aerobics.I think it will help you and you will enjoy also.Better to eat less at dinner and more for breakfast as you will be doing more work at day time.
 
I think you are correct in your assessment that weight loss isn't nearly as much physical as it is mental. I am 5'9" and peaked at 252 and really didn't feel fat mentally. I am now at 236 and feel fat. Human beings are creatures of comfort and unless they feel uncomfortable mentally there really is no reason for them to change. Feeling uncomfortable in your skin is a terrific start.

Twenty pounds might not seem like much but go to the grocery and carry a 20 lb turkey around for a while and you will understand it is.

It is a great feeling when you realize all your pants are loose.
 
Hey Justin! Welcome! Based on what you said, it sounds like you need to add some cardio exercises to your routine. I would start slow, with a walk or jog if you can.. And each time up your intensity to continue to grow yourself physically. There are a lot of online resources that have walk to run plans to follow.

I won't even go into the awful opinion of energy drinks I have, I would just say cut those out entirely. Just looking at the nutrition label makes me sick.

Besides that, congrats on your ability to quit smoking! I WISH I had that in me.
 
Not to mention your diet ~ You may want to use a calorie tracker in the beginning of your change so you have an idea of how much you're eating. Like the exercise tools, you can google to see how many calories you SHOULD eat to lose weight.

I always tell people to google because there are SO many resources. I usually try to explore a few different 'trusted' sites before a final decision.
 
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