Hello all, wish me luck, I'll need it...

[arebours]

Wotcha.


My profile:


21 years old

Male

5ft 10

242 lbs


Hi all! I'm looking to lose a substantial amount of weight, somewhere in the region of around 40 lbs to get myself down to 200 lbs, to start.


Before:

Previous to this decision to lose weight my exercise levels were very low (some walking each week but nothing hard going), and my diet was terrible. As an example, I would eat probably on average over 3000 calories a day easily...a huge amount of carbs, probably 2/3 chocolate bars a day and 3 or 4 fast food meals per week. I was also drinking heavily at weekends and sometimes on weeknights.


I am determined to lose this weight and I've made the decision to make major lifestyle choices to do so.


Now:

From now on I intend to eat somewhere in the region of 2000 calories, cutting out fast food, fatty foods, and chocolate completely, and eating far more healthily. I also intend to drink a great deal of water during this period. Previously I wasn't eating 3 meals a day I was pigging out at night and in the evening, but now I intend to have breakfast (wholemeal toast), lunch (lean meat and salad), and dinner (this I will vary).


I also intend to run at least 4 times a week. I'm carrying a lot of weight so I am starting on just 1.5 miles (which takes me about 14 minutes, done it last night). However I hope to eventually double this and do it 5 times a week once I'm a bit fitter.


I am cutting out alcohol completely for the first 3 weeks and gradually re-introducing it after this.


I would welcome any advice, in terms of how quickly and effectively you guys think I could lose weight to begin with, any motivational tips etc. How many calories should I eat per day to lose weight effectively?


Thanks all. x

 

[PLB]

Hey arebours, welcome to the forum!


I think you should start with what you have planned and see how that goes over the first few weeks, then go from there. Running 1.5 miles may be a bit much to start with ... have you ever heard of a walk/run program or couch to 5K? I would suggest doing this type of program where you mix run and walk intervals and slowly increase the length of your running interval over a number of weeks. This way you can ease into running more gradually and hopefully avoid injury. I would also suggest adding in weight training. If that seems like too much to start with, then get the nutrition and running routine established, then add weight training when you feel ready.