I've gained around 40 pounds in less than a year... i'm still in high school! D:

S

Simplyme3

New member
Hey guys!
I'm new here, so hopefully this is in the right place x-x.

Well, I'm going to be a senior in high school this coming year, but I've really started to worry about my weight (which I NEVER have. ever). You see, freshman and sophomore year I was really active, I ran on the cross country team, I worked out, etc, and I was in pretty good shape. I took all of that for granted junior year though, and I guess you could say I got lazy and assumed that i'd never gain any weight... because I've never had to worry about it before. I just assumed my metabolism would keep everything under control.

So junior year, I quit all my sports, quit running, quit working out, period (I got lazy!) D:. I seriously didn't even move any faster than a walk the entire year. And to make things worse, I threw caution to the win and indulged in a bunch of fatty foods. (why do they taste so good??). Well, I didn't realize I was gaining weight until about a week ago when I looked at a few pictures my friends had posted of me on facebook. I saw them and was like "OMG, why are my legs/butt so fat?!" I totally have cellulite on my legs and I didn't even know it until I saw the pics. So I kinda freaked out (lol =\) and I looked at a bunch of pictures of me from sophomore year and I think the weight gain is pretty noticeable. I weighed myself and I've gained around 40 pounds in a year! ]: I went from 110 pounds to around 150. Even worse, it mostly ALL went to my butt/thigh area (and a little around my arms/neck/face/belly).

So what I want to know is:
A. How noticeable is the weight gain? Especially in the thigh/butt area. Or does it look the same as in the before pictures? BE HONEST/DON'T SUGARCOAT ANYTHING! :) I'll use criticism as my motivation!!
B. Is gaining 40 pounds in less than a year (around 8 months) unhealthy? Or is it normal?
C. Any tips on how to get rid of it? :) I'd like to get down to at least 120.
D. In the mean time, how do I make cellulite less noticeable? :\


I'll let you guys be the judge: The before pics are the first two pictures in the attached files list. The after pics are the last 3 pics in the attached files list.

(here are the links to 2 other pics because this thing only let me upload 5 pics!)

Additional after pic 1: Sorry it's so dark. But my butt is huge/flabby and my thighs are touching even though my feet are spaced apart.


Additional after pic 2: My thighs are touching even though my feet are spaced apart.
 
Hello and welcome here! You've come to a great place for feedback and support, I've only been here a short while but people are really great.
To answer your questions as honestly as I can:
A) There is no way you can gain 40 pounds without it being noticeable. That said, you still look healthy, and not overweight, to me. Asking visual feedback might not be the best way, the only one who can decide whether you feel comfortable or not in your body is you. If you decide to lose some weight and take up a healthy lifestyle again, you certainly caught it in time.
B) The process of gaining weight in itself is not unhealthy, +40 Lbs in 8 months does indicate a unhealthy lifestyle though. Had you continued eating the same as before without any of the sports, you would have gained weight. Combining it with more fast food probably made matters worse.
C) The only good way, in my opinion, is the simple equation "calories in"<"calories used". There are lots of good tips on this site that you should read. Basically, calculate how many calories you need (including any sports,...) and subtract 500 calories per day from that. Take up exercises you enjoy again. Don't fall into the traps of food supplements, diets that dehydrate you, etc. Look at the nutrition guide and the started guide on this site. With a healthy calorie deficit diet you can expect to lose 1 pound per week, which should bring you back to your target weight almost as fast as you gained weight.
D) Sorry, I have no idea on that one. Looking at your pictures, I don't notice anything wrong.

p.s. Please remember that many many pictures you see of people are photoshopped. I can take any picture of anyone and make their skin look smooth as a skating ring. This doesn't mean that real life is the same.
 
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The first thing you need to change is your attitude, it sounds like you are pretty self conscious about your weight, I've been there and I am currently there paying for my mistakes. you have a chance to change and start being healthy again.

Personally write down what you eat every day and start counting calories and see where you are at. If you are above 1300-1400 (1200 is the "number" for women) that could be a factor if you haven't been active in the past year. Why not join up some sports again? You never mentioned why you quit.

Keep browsing these forums you will find helpful information. Personally I have not been to a fast food joint in about 5 weeks(used to be 2-4 times a week depending how lazy I was to make food myself) and I feel a lot better knowing that "food" is not in my system anymore, even soda I cut out.

You should never drink your calories, water is amazing and our bodies are mostly water so why not give it what it needs. That soda taste will be gone 5 minutes after you drink it so whats the point.

Also if you are a lover of fast food think of how many preservatives are in them. Mcdonalds is the best example. 14 year old burger from mcdonalds and a "fresh" burger look the exact same. How is it possible? its not real food. It's man made.

Think about that every time you want to go out and eat something that may not be healthy. If it is not grown from the earth chances are you don't want it.

Either way you still look good in what ever picture but I know all to well the feeling of not where you want to be with your weight. The choice is yours. The fact you were huge into sports and other activities tells me you know what you need to do, and you just gotta make the commitment to do it :)
 
Well it's good that you've noticed this and have committed to changing your lifestyle.

To answer your questions:
A) It is noticeable.
B) Gaining weight is always unhealthy. I do believe that 40 pounds in 8 month is pretty quick. This shows that your lifestyle needs a significant overhaul.
C) There's the million dollar question! Well, weight loss means that you take in less calories than you burn thus your body consumes your fat to compensate. So you need to focus on your diet first and formost. Try to only drink water. Plan your meals so you don't have to eat junk. For example, if you're going out with your friends eat right before you leave a bring a light snack so you don't have to eat fast food with them. Eat more vegetables, they're great as far as calories go and they can fill you up. Also, it wouldn't hurt to try to get some exercise back in your life. Even if it is going for a 20 minute walk/jog 4 times a week, it should help.
D) I don't really know how to hide the cellulite, wear leggings? :p Other than that, just focus on your weight loss. It will fade over time.


Good luck on your journey, let us know how it goes.
 
Thank you guys so much for your replies and suggestions! I'm really going to try to fix this. I've finally come to terms with the weight gain (I guess you could say I was in denial, regardless of what the scale said), and I think now I'm mentally ready to start the lifestyle change. As for why I quit sports, I just got a little lazy, and I just assumed I wouldn't really gain weight one way or the other. I'll keep you guys updated? :) I'm going to try to use all of your suggestions! I'll need them! Thanks again!! =] and anyone else, feel free to reply to the original message still!
 
haha lazyness wins most days for me too. I quit sports in jr high because I didn't want to wake up at 6am to go to school for 7 for my volleyball etc.

I am sure you will get to where you want to be. Weight gain for me was easy, losing it not so much. I know what I have to do, I think everyone know's what they need to do, It's just one of those things that you won't stop until you commit to it.

Hardest part for me was to quit weed(I would get really hungry and eat ton's of junk food) because I can't smoke and not eat bad so I just had to stop all together.

Good luck with your journey I am sure you will do it :)
 
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