Someone please help :o(

C

cowgrl916xoxo

0
Hello,

I am having the hardest time maintaining my ideal body weight. I don't even know if there is really anything that I can do, but it is sad because I am so young. I am a 20 year old female, 5'3", and unfortunately, a little over 150 pounds (Somewhere like 151-153). I am trying so desperately to get to 130 and stay there. 125 would be even better, but I honestly don't think that I will ever see that day. I have no kids and I am not married, so now is the time for me to start making some changes to my lifestyle!! I did lose a little over 10 pounds in 2 months over the summer, but I had the time as I was not in school. Even then, I worked out 6 DAYS A WEEK with cardio, strength training, etc. and I ate healthy, low-fat foods. What is hindering me from eating right, exercising, and losing weight? I think it is a combination of things...

1) I work a lot. I work about 40 hours a week, and then take classes during the evening. My schedule is packed. After class, I usually go home and study or do homework for a couple hours until it is time for me to go to bed. I have to be in bed at the LATEST of 10:30 because I have to be AT work at 6:30 AM. It is still barely enough sleep for me. I need those couple hours of studying because my major is in the medical field. A LOT of studying and I need to get to where I want to be. I have no time!!! I walk when I can, take stairs instead of the elevator, and park farther away to get some exercise in. The weekends will not do much. My body will not lose weight working out two days a week. It just doesn't happen.

2) I need variety in my foods. After I eat some leafy veggie, I need meat, or something sweet. It is crazy. I know that it is my body telling me what it needs. I used to stick to caesar salads as I love them, until I read in my Fitness magazine that the average caesar salad in a restaurant has 950 calories (mostly due to dressing). I have been trying to eat healthy, but I am getting sick of low fat cottage cheese, natural oatmeal, low fat yogurt, lean turkey, salads, etc.

3) I do not overeat at all! In fact, I believe that I undereat. I know that sometimes this can cause weight gain because the body turns everything you eat into fat because it is in starvation mode. But the truth is, I do not lose weight any other way... I haven't eaten much in the past two days because I am getting so depressed about this. In fact, I am considering not eating at all until I get to my desired weight. Believe me, I have tried just about everything.

Why is my body so different? I am not obese, but I have always had "a little extra padding." I am tired of being the chunkier girl in class. People tell me I look good, but that is because I mask things. Makeup to thin my face, clothes to hide my body, and I am tired of it. I am so sad on the inside and it hurts. :( I don't drink but the other college girls do, and they are skinny!! I am so hungry, but after I eat, I think that I look even more disgusting. I don't eat bad things! I don't understand and I don't know if it is a metabolic issue or something that I am doing wrong. I have done things the right way (and have lost a little weight because I had time to exercise) and I have done things the wrong way. Can anyone offer any advice? Please?

Thank you,
Allison
 
Allison,
What is your diet EXACTLY? Sometimes people don't realize what they are eating is causing weight gain...like your caesar salad example!

I still think that you should workout as much as absolutely possible like on the weekends. Some exercise is better than none!

~teresa
 
Hi

sorry you're having these frustrations. Try not to focus on the numbers on the scale. They are meaningless! Focus more on how you look and feel.

You're right that if you're undereating your progress is being hindered. I have a few recommendations for your situation:

Cook meals ahead of time and freeze them. When you have a day off cook up a big pot of brown rice and some chicken breasts. Put them in travel containers and freeze them. Then take a couple to work to heat up.

For sweet cravings eat fruit! It's so good for you. Try some high fiber fruits like raspberries, blackberries and apples.

As far as workouts go, take a 15-20 minute break whenever you can during the day and go for a fast walk, anywhere! It will make a difference. If you have time in the rmoning do a few pushups, crunches and lunges to get your body going.

Hope that helps.

Sarah
 
I'll add that you need to find time to workout. I know it's hard. I feel your pain. I work a lot and have a hectic busy schedule. But I have to find time to workout.

Do you have to do an hour a day? No. 30 minutes is better than nothing. Give yourself a plan. I know you're smart. I know you want to feel better about your body. I know you want to get rid of extra body fat. So do it.

Make a plan for yourself. Find 30 minutes to strength training and add 10-15 minutes of medium/high intensity cardio. Do you need to join a gym? Nope. Jus get some free weights. Do the workout in your dorm room if you have to.

Need exercises, head over to strength-training-woman.com and click on "exercises". That'll get you started. You can get a free strength training log there as well. Also incorporate pushups, lunges, squats, calf raises, and other bodyweight exercises in your routine. No equipment needed :)

Working out just a bit will make you feel better and it will help alleviate some of the stress you have. Just do it! :)
 
hey

I know it can be trying, but don't give up hope!

You probably know that it speeds up your metabolism to eat smaller meals throughout the day. Try to do this, I know its hard when you're working and going to school but there is usually a way.

You might consider seeing a nutritionist- now this can end up being a waste of money or it could considerably help you turn things around. I know it can go either way.

Another thing to remember is trying not to think of exercise as a means to lose weight- someone on this board said it, I can't remember who, that exercise should be something you do regularly the same way brushing your teeth or having a shower is. Try to find things you like that count as exercise. Remember that if you can squeeze in 3 or 4 ten minutes of speed walking in one day, it is the still thirty to forty minutes of exercise even if its not consecutive. Anything to get ya moving is good ::cool:

You may want to find a/some friend(s) to go on a healthy eating plan with you. For the longest time I didn't want anybody to be involved with my eating plans, I always kept them to myself. Then one time I ended up going on a plan with my sisters and it really helped me get going. Even after they fell off the diet I kept going.

Good luck and don't give up!
 
I was in the same situation as you, 20yrs old 163lbs 5'3 but with a 4yr old working 2 jobs, I lost 33lbs just by running almost everyday- one day I couldn't seem to get out of bed I was exhausted so I thought maybe I shouldn't eat so much now 2 yrs later I realize food was the answer, you need 5-6 healthy meals do some research to find more foods you like that are healthy and make a weekly meal plan, also believe it or not there is always enough time to work out. Make a weekly schedule. Like for me I work m-f fulltime but mon I work 8am-10pm I run for about 25-30 min during lunch, through out tues-thurs/fri I do ab classes a step class, yoga, a kickboxing class and some strength training sometimes I can't do all because I have class on some tues and on fri and also my son has basketball practice. My schedule is so busy weekends I usually travel I work promotions and I don't get breaks or a second to sit, I mean sure 5 or 10min for the bathroom thats when I eat a quick snack. Some nights I work at the police station till 2am I know I should get more sleep but I'm working on that. Don't feel depressed about your weight if you really truely want this you will do whatever it takes to acheive your goal, don't ever doubt yourself. you are young and believe it or not have more energy than you think. None of my friends or my boyfriend work out and they laugh because I eat healthy and say I don't have to, they drink every weekend I don't have time for that yes they are skinny but drinking makes them age faster and really what is the purpose? believe in yourself and just do it! I have gained weight, my goal is to be 125lbs no lower 130 is fine w/me as long as I look and feel toned I'll be happy. If you need to talk just send me a message I'm not as smart as alot of these people but I was once in your spot and I can help with the motivation part. My son loves to run now he is 6yrs old and can seriously run 1.33miles with out stopping I hate when he does that because he is so little and is really pink when he is done, he loves healthy foods it'll help him in the long run. Good luck! Remember you can do it if you put your mind to it.
 
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