help, please :)

Hello, I'm a new member here and I would like some help with my problem.

I'm a 16 year old male and I'm around 5' 11" and I weight 175. My goal is to lose 8-15 pounds of fat in 2-3 months.

I have started to accumulate a lot of fat around my stomach area and some on my chest (mostly due to inactivity) and it's really unappealing. I have recently (a few weeks ago) given up on fast food and soda. I only drink juice and water now (except for some special occasions.) The only major source of unhealthy food I would be eating is the greasy school lunches they serve us. Aside from that, I've started to eat more oatmeal, fruits, salads, etc.. I have also started running 1.5 miles every day Monday-Thursday. I run and then when I'm tired, I start to walk then run again for the 1.5 miles. (I've been getting shin splits a lot recently so I just started running again this week)

My questions are:

1. Is my goal realistic? Losing 8-15 pounds in 2-3 months only with healthy eating and an around 30 minute 1.5 mile run four days a week?
2. How can I acheive my goal?
3. How can I get the most out of running? (jogging opposed to running opposed to running/walking)
4. What are some healthy foods that a teenager may enjoy? (I'm not really much of an oatmeal fan :] )
5. How can I be more proficient with this weight-loss plan?
6. How can I prevent/treat shin splits? (so I can continue running)
7. What can I do to further increase weight loss?

I have not yet seen any results. (I've been running on and off for a few months now.) I don't really have an specific amount of weight I would like to lose but basically this fat around my stomach and chest. (I assume a cardio workout such as running would be the best for this part of my body?)

I am dedicated to complete this goal and any help or suggestions will be highly appreciated.

THANK YOU :)
 
you should through in some sort of weight training...this will icnrease your metabolism which will burn more cals...you should also watch ur cals and such...
 
Flicker,

It is good to see your diet improvements. Loosing 8 - 15 pounds in that timeframe is easily doable. Remember to eliminate all trans fats.

Backmann is right... Incorporate some weights (preferably put them in between run days to give your shins a recovery day after a run).

Go to a running/walking store and get professionaly fit with a good pair of sneaks. Do not pick them by what color looks best, go by feel.

Are you really running 1.5 miles in 30 minutes? That is a twenty minute mile, or 3 miles per hour. Normally that is a medium to brisk walk pace. Either way, try this:

1. Warm-up with a walk for 5+ minutes prior to your run.
2. Do a GENTLE stretch of your calves and tibialis.
3. Run (or run/walk; which is fine too) your 30 minutes.
4. Cool down with a 5+ minute walk.
5. Do a good deep stretch of your lower torso. Make sure you hit the calves good... Stretch the soleus, gastroc, and tibialis.
6. Look into sport specific deep tissue massage. You can perform this on yourself, since we are talking about shins.

BTW - Shin splints can be a serious problem. If it continues, I would seek medical attention.

If you are diggin the run/walk approach, go out and buy Jeff Galloway's book: "Running - Getting Started" it is very good and covers his trademarked run/walk routine.

Keep up the great work,
Rip
 
Back
Top