Looking to feel better and be more productive

A

amy1985

New member
Hi, I'm Amy, I'm 25 and I'm from the UK. I'm a full time student.

I've struggled with my weight since I was in my mid-teens (it's been up and down, but mostly above where I want it to be), and I basically want a sensible way to lose weight without completely eliminating the food I like from my diet or being a slave to the gym. (I hate exercise, I'm the kid even the sports teachers laughed at)

I'm 167cm tall (5 feet 7 inches), and weigh 73kg, or 11 stone 7 pounds, or 161 pounds. I'd like to weigh closer to the 60kg mark (some BMI calculators say I should weigh 55, but I haven't weighed that since I was 12, so I regard that as pretty unrealistic). An alternate goal (as my weight loss goals are partly about shape), I'd like to get down to a UK size 10 (from a current 12 on top and 12/14 on the bottom).

For years, living at home, I more-or-less followed my mum's diet plans (CSIRO diet, Atkins, the Australian Symply Too Good to be True cook books, low carb, low fat, portion control), although I wasn't as worried about it because I wasn't in her position. I'm still not there yet, but I see my weight steadily creeping upwards (after a big loss when I was 21 due to glandular fever- mono. I lost about 40kg in 3 months- I had weighed 100kg, and I never, ever want to go back there). Since moving out of home a bit over 18 months ago, I haven't really had a system, I've just tried to avoid "bad" food, which has been disastrous (also, I have very little will power, so I've binged semi-regularly). Haven't really done very much in the way of exercise.

Nearly a month ago, with the encouragement of my boyfriend (who has quite a bit more weight to lose than I do), I joined a gym, and they set up a program for me (although they want me to go 5 days a week, which is becoming increasingly unrealistic, and I wonder if my program is too intense as some days the gym session leaves me exhausted for 24 hours). I decided I also needed to do something about my diet, so I started investigating diets and have downloaded a calorie counting program recommended by a friend (called cron-o-meter). I've been calorie counting since the beginning of the month, and have some serious anxieties about that (am I eating the right things? what happens if I don't get into my target calorie range and am still not hungry? how much of certain foods/ food groups should I be eating?- but I don't think this is the place to be asking such specific questions)

I've been finding things baffling online- there's a lot of contradictory information that comes up through my google searches, and some of the stuff I read (if I had to put money on it) seems to be nonsense and/ or wildly unhealthy.

I want to do this the right way, without seriously interfering with the other stuff I have to do in my life. Basically I want to be healthy and more mentally alert, and being smaller and feeling better about myself are very positive side effects of that.

Thanks for reading.
 
Last edited:
Hi and welcome to the forum! I'm new too (just registered today) and hopefully we could help each other. Just a bit of advice on going to the gym based on my experience.. It is exhausting especially during the first few weeks but it will get better and soon you'd realize that though you get really tired working out, your body would be recovering sooner. I have however read that if training leaves you sore for more than 72hours then your trainer might be overworking you and you may want to discuss that with them.

Well, welcome again and goodluck!
 
Thank you both for replying. Shayne, I was told that the first few weeks would be hard and then it would get easier- my problem is that the first few weeks are over, and while the gym work itself is eminently doable, I get home, want to sleep, have a normal night's sleep, and then am exhausted for much of the next morning. I know I have to do it, but this exercise nonsense doesn't seem like it's for me sometimes. Just so painful.
 
I know the feeling. I'm a full time student as well. I used to go to the gym 4-5x a week but it really wears me out. At one point I had to tell my trainer that it's impossible and he advised me to go 2-3x instead. BUT I make it a point to work out at home by myself. I bought myself the Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred which is about 20mins. Compared to an hour at the gym, this could be more doable for you too! Also, add the travel time to the gym, the time it gets back home, the time you need to rest after a difficult workout, shower, etc etc. This could save you a lot of time and maybe lessen your exhaustion as well. It's been working well for me for the past 3months or so (well, up until now that I've hit a plateau.. but that's another issue :p)
 
I think that's a great idea to have an exercise program that you can do at home! Especially if you're feeling short on time.

If you're feeling that tired for that long after working out, you're either doing too much, too soon, or you're not taking in enough calories in a day. As shayne said, talk to your trainer about cutting down to 2-3 days per week, or decrease the intensity or duration of your workouts until you no longer feel exhausted for that length of time afterwards.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top