Wow, there's sooo much to respond to in this thread I don't know where to begin. I suppose I'll divide my comments into sections to better tackle this beast!
First of all congratulations on the loss, although I highly disagree with the way you went about it. Just the motivation to get that ass to the gym 7 days a week and caring about your weight is something that deserves a pat on the back for sure. -pats-
That said I know where you're coming from. I'm nineteen, so just about your age and I can relate when you say that not many teens care about their weight. I've always been mature for my age, but college is god awful in that respect. People. do. not. care. They drink & don't go to the gym but never pay the price. I try to get my friends involved but they aren't as dedicated as I am, so steady support is close to none.
Yet, let me just say that it doesn't matter. I cut myself apart from everyone else when I work out. It's about me, and what I need to do for myself, not about others lack of initiative, or needing someone to motivate me. I could get upset about how much more I struggle, or I could suck it up. This brings me to my next comment, which just reflects those already made.
Doing this for a guy is a BAD idea. I do not agree with shae on her comment. If you want to work out with someone who is ALREADY your partner as a relationship building tool and support each other fine, but it should NOT be the foundation on whether or not you're together.
I was in a four year relationship/engagement and I was never encouraged to loose the weight like I should have been. It was a complete and utter mess. I ballooned up to an even greater weight the whole time I was with him. Guys aren't always going to be around. They fade in and out of your life, and that will have a profound effect on how you view yourself if you let it.
Say... what happens if you get said guy? Do you just loose your will power, do you become dependent on him for happiness? Trust me, it will only end in a train wreck... Or say that doesn't happen and he rejects you because he's a mindless idiot like half of the male population... You'll be even more depressed than before, and you'll feel so worthless just because he's an idiot. Working out and getting healthier should be a tool for empowerment, not something that may ultimately drag you down and make you feel like you're not good enough. It needs to be for you, not just living up to someone's standards of perfection. Okay sorry I ranted a bit there, but I really hope you see my point. Each person has so much to offer this world and you're really selling yourself short.
If you need anyone your age for encouragement I'm around the forum so don't hesitate to ask or message.
Now back to your weight-loss technique. Your calories are way way way too low, especially if you're working out for an hour 7 days a week. You probably aren't even getting enough to function. (Which might be why you feel more depressed. Exhaustion can do that to a person you know...) I'm a lot like you. I have to FORCE myself to eat most of the time, and often stuff I hate eating. Honestly, it's sooo much easier for me to just not eat. But starving yourself doesn't do you any good. I actually lost more when I ate because my body didn't go into 'zomg store the fat! we're going to die' mode.
The key is eating the RIGHT things. You need to have that protein to fuel those muscles and keep burning that fat, or you're just going to stall and get nowhere. If you're really having trouble get your protein in shakes like you mentioned in your diet but make sure you actually drink them regularly. It's not an OR situation, you need that protein, especially if you are working out so much. Otherwise you're going to loose any muscle you currently have and when you loose the weight you're not going to have to worry just about loose skin but also stringy limbs with no definition and muscle tone... which isn't all that fabulous either.
Basically to sum it up, I have to agree with Steve. You need to get your metabolism back on track because from what you've been saying it seems like you're running yourself into the ground. Maybe not cut it all out, because I can't prescribe something I wouldn't do myself... I love working out, however cut back incredibly if you can. I also think a trainer, nutritionist, and psychologist would be an amazing help. (Yes, I know money doesn't grow on trees)
Like you said, there's a lot of info out there and it's hard to know what to do. Talking with a trainer was a great tool for me because they can set you up with a meal plan and work out schedule that won't have you killing yourself. And then the psychologist is just because talking to someone might be really great for you right now. It should be able to help you find the value in yourself so that you don't need to feel like you have to change for anyone else.
I wish you the best of luck, and I hope my two cents helped in some way.
Hi honey
