Hi, new here and need some advise as were to begin with this

JerryClarke18

New member
Hi, I'm 18 years old, and it's time for me to start taking care of my health so I signed up for this forum :D.
I am 92.5kg(204lb) and 1.76m(5-9, 5-10).

Just as a note, I'm starting college next year and I do not want to be fat, at all, by then. My estimated ideal weight is on the 60-65kg range, which gives me a total of about 30kg to loose. A lot, yet doable. I have a very strong will when I want something, and in this case, my end goal is to be thin(and I really mean thin, not slightly fat thin, but thin) and gain some muscle.

Now, I have some doubts concerning how to start. I wanted to start loosing weight and gaining muscle at the same time, however, several people told me that if I do that, there will be certain amount of fat that will get trapped between the muscles that will be VERY hard to rid of if I gain muscle volume. I don't know how true this is, but I would like some input. I want to be thin by 1/1/2010, the muscle part can be started then. I can live with that.

Now, speaking of diets, can anybody recommend me a good diet(would be better to start with a quick loss diet and then a more normal one). I've tried 600-800 calories diets in the past, I can do them, but I can barely function(let alone think(I'm a programmer and potential business man, so I'm using my brain all day)), so I think more like 800-1100 would be better.

Speaking of my general habits as of now, I don't do any physical activity at all and I've been eating a lot lately and my back started to hurt 2 weeks ago(which was the reason that made me start taking action on this. I mean, how can it be that I'm 18, and I have an ugly back pain due to extra weight... I can think of many chain reactions coming from my current body state, and none of looks good, at ALL).

Speaking of sports and gym and general physical activities, the only sport I enjoy is swimming. I don't mind going to a gym or walking 2 hours a day, I can do it, I just don't know how much is too much, or what should I be doing in the gym, etc. I'm VERY lost.

Anyways, I would love some input from you people from this resourceful forum.

Thanks in advance.
Jerry.
 
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Hi Jerry!

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on deciding to become fit!

I wouldn't recommend any diet in particular, if you drink soda, cut that out completely (hey, you said you had good will power). Drink at least 2-3 liters of water per day. I can't stress this enough. COUNT THE OUNCES OF WATER YOU DRINK. It seems like it doesn't matter, but it really does.

Make sure you're not skipping breakfast and eat lots of fruits and veggies! Cut out the junk food. Sodas, chips, fries, white breads, pastries, candies...just the crap...you know what's crap ;)

Please don't cut your calories that low!! At your size, you definitely shouldn't drop below 1600 calories per day, ESPECIALLY when following an exercise plan!

Start swimming daily! If you can't swim, walk/run a mile or two! Keep as active as you can. Make an extra effort to tell yourself you can do this, every time you look in the mirror, and maybe even shake your thang for yourself in the mirror...

It gets you moving and give you confidence!

Keep a diary and sign up for a calorie counter. Lots of people on the forum use a website called FitDay.com. Check it out and make sure you're not underestimating calories.

If you create a calorie deficit every day, the weight will melt off!

Good luck with your goals!
 
Well, the calorie deficit really doesn't bother me as long as I can think properly. I'll get used to it in about a week. But you got a point, I will not drop below 1200-1600 then.

Any ideas on the muscle gain + weight loss question by the way?

Thanks.
 
Any ideas on the muscle gain + weight loss question by the way?

As far as I understand, it is almost impossible to do both at the same time. It takes a surplus in calories to increase muscle mass. It takes a deficit in calories to lose weight. Do the math.

What you _can_ do, and what most people are in fact doing when they talk about losing weight and gaining muscle, is increase your strength and fitness. The muscles aren't getting bigger per se, but they are getting stronger, and as you lose fat they will show more. I suspect this is what you actually want.

Lose weight by taking in fewer calories than you expend. Increase your energy usage with exercise. Make sure you eat a balanced diet. I won't speculate on what sort of exercise routine will be best for you, but it will definitely include a mixture of aerobic and resistance training.

I second the recommendation to use FitDay. It can help you analyse your caloric and nutrient intake, set weight loss goals and suggest caloric targets for a sensible rate of weight loss. I suspect it would recommend a higher intake than 1600 calories/day.

Best advice I can give is: read the stickies on the various threads. Listen to what people have to say but don't follow then slavishly. Ask for help from other people here who may have more experience.
 
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Well, yes and no. I want volume AND strength. I mean, having volume and no strength is kinda pointless. But well, I can at least do one of the two; that's good.

Now, what about extra skin? How do I deal with it? will it just shrink itself up? or I've gotta go under the knife? What can I do to enhance it's shrinking speed? What about those marks that show up because of fast fat gain; don't know the name.

Speaking of FitDay, registered for an account, don't like it much though. I'm gonna use it in lack of a better solution for the time being though.

Thanks for your time.
 
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