Teen Trying To Fight Flab

Lone Rover

Lone Rover

New member
Hi there, I'm 17 years old and have just started out on my path to weight loss.

I've been big for my entire life, but have really piled on the weight during my teenage years. I'm currently 6'2 tall and weigh 122 KG (269 lbs). I don't have any serious health problems associated with my weight, but I've made the decision to get proactive and make some big lifestyle changes before it starts to endanger my health.

Another main motivation however is purely aesthetic, I'm really body concious and have a lot of self esteem issues related to my weight.

I'm not trying to look like a well chiselled sculpture just yet, but I'd really like to look a lot slimmer and healthier.

I've had a problem with food for the majority of my life, namely, too much of it! Fried, fatty take away meals have been a feature of my diet for over a decade. I drank an average of a litre a day of coca cola for many years.

I've already made some positive changes this year, I've completely eliminated sugary drinks from my diet and have been drinking only water for about a month. I've given up the junk food completely . I've switched to low fat milk, I'm limiting my portion sizes, and avoiding processed foods. I'm starting to eat a lot more fruit as well.

I took up smoking tobacco when I was 13 and smoked quite heavily for three years, but managed to kick the habit completely last year.

I used to be fairly active when I was younger and participated in team sports for several years (rugby and football), but have led a sedentary life for about 4 years.

My current exercise regime consists of a half hour bike ride every day, it isn't much but it's a big step up from the total lack of any sustained physical activity that has characterized my life for many years.

I'm a bit apprehensive about posting as I'm quite an introverted individual and this is a very personal battle for me, but hopefully I'll be able to find a bit of support here that I'm not confident enough to seek in the real world.

My goal is to get my weight close to 100 KG (220 lbs) in time for my 18th birthday this October. It's a short term aim but it's something I'm very determined to achieve. In the long term I want to continue loosing weight until I can get into a healthier range for my age and height.

Cheers!
 
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Hey there! Well done for taking the first step to a better you.......and welcome to the forum!

Good luck with your journey :)
 
I'm really impressed that you have given up both sugary drinks AND junk food! I'm a huge health nut and only drink water and green tea and soy milk on occasion, though sometimes I lack the willpower with the junk food :S But I'm working on it! Remember to treat yourself once in a while though :)
Hope your journey to a healthier lifestyle continues to go well!
 
Thanks for the replies!

About to embark on my exercise for the day, feeling quite positive about it all.

I'm not looking for instant results, but about a month into my regime and my clavicle is already starting to look more prominent.

Most of my flab is centred around my midriff and thighs, hoping to see results there in the long term.

I'm planning on doing a weekly weigh in and posting the results here to keep a record.

Hopefully I'll be able to post some before and after shots in a few months time!
 
A bit of an update for anyone who's interested, despite a few hiccups along the way, as of this morning I'm weighing approx 117.2 kg (258.4 lbs)

I was weighing in excess of 130 kg (286 lbs +) in December, so I'm really pleased with the progress I've made thus far.
 
First off dude, welcome and good luck on your weight loss

I too am 17 and quite introverted but this website is brilliant for support as you keep posting, its really good

One mistake i made during my weight loss , keepin in mind this is me thinkin long term for you, was that i didnt do any toning exercises for abs or that whilst loosing weight and i am now faced with the dilemma of loose skin and really lowers my self confidense, im just as bad as i was before about swimming or taking off my shirt, i simply bunk school if i have to go swimming, anyways apologies for veering off topic, all im reccomending is to use weight traning exercises 3 months down the line or whatever and work the abs to help tighten skin and im sure you will be very successful you seem full of drive keep up the good work man!
 
I don't think muscle toning will change your skin issues. I think its time that deals with that but certainly after you've lost your weight and you are really slim and you have a lot of muscle you will looked toned. Its the fat under the skin that makes you look flabby, not the lack of muscle. You can see this really clearly on - of all people - a woman's video. I went to see it after reading alta's diary. Its the video of the woman she's made her hero. Barbie someone. google barbie px90 and you should be able to find the video that shows her before weight loss, after weight loss but before weight training and then after weight training. In the last picture, she has lost more fat than shows in the pre-weight training pics, though she'd be about the same size. Less fat more muscle.

Also if you lose a lot of weight quite fast you will have bigger loose skin issues and also if you are older. I think dylan and you will not have any troubles in the longer term. Its just that it probably takes a while for all the skin to regrow smaller, ie to a tighter fit.

But that's not what i was going to post about.

Lone rover you are off to a great start and I am sure you will have no trouble reaching your goal by October. You should even surpass it if you stick to your strategy as stated in yours first posts. I disagree about the treats. You don't need them. They merely weaken your resolve. You have done so good at giving up cigarettes and going without soda. Just eat good healthy food and you will be right.

If you want more ideas about good food, read my diary. I am not suggesting you follow my strategy, we each have to work out our own, but there might be things you want to try out for yourself that i've tried. And there are some useful links in it too. There's also a bit of crap where i am working out numbers and future stuff so skip that.

Anyway good luck with it all. I'm enjoying keeping a food diary. I think its an important tool in weight loss. Well for me anyhow.
 
fortyfour said:
I don't think muscle toning will change your skin issues. I think its time that deals with that but certainly after you've lost your weight and you are really slim and you have a lot of muscle you will looked toned. Its the fat under the skin that makes you look flabby, not the lack of muscle. You can see this really clearly on - of all people - a woman's video. I went to see it after reading alta's diary. Its the video of the woman she's made her hero. Barbie someone. google barbie px90 and you should be able to find the video that shows her before weight loss, after weight loss but before weight training and then after weight training. In the last picture, she has lost more fat than shows in the pre-weight training pics, though she'd be about the same size. Less fat more muscle.

Also if you lose a lot of weight quite fast you will have bigger loose skin issues and also if you are older. I think dylan and you will not have any troubles in the longer term. Its just that it probably takes a while for all the skin to regrow smaller, ie to a tighter fit.

But that's not what i was going to post about.

Lone rover you are off to a great start and I am sure you will have no trouble reaching your goal by October. You should even surpass it if you stick to your strategy as stated in yours first posts. I disagree about the treats. You don't need them. They merely weaken your resolve. You have done so good at giving up cigarettes and going without soda. Just eat good healthy food and you will be right.

If you want more ideas about good food, read my diary. I am not suggesting you follow my strategy, we each have to work out our own, but there might be things you want to try out for yourself that i've tried. And there are some useful links in it too. There's also a bit of crap where i am working out numbers and future stuff so skip that.

Anyway good luck with it all. I'm enjoying keeping a food diary. I think its an important tool in weight loss. Well for me anyhow.
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Apologies Fortyfour, I was not aware the toning was of no avail, pace yourself though and apologies on the wrong info, good luck :D
 
Solid progress you've made so far, really admirable. You've already achieved a lot giving up smoking, fried food and sodas so losing those last few Kgs will be easy :)
 
Hi all, a quick update.

I jump on the scales every day out of habit, but I only 'officially' record my weight every Monday and use that as the benchmark.

I tipped the scales at 114.6 KG (252.6 lbs) this Monday, the same weight as the previous weigh in on the 2nd of May. It was the second 'static' week I've had with no loss, but after a week without loosing much I seem to drop about a kg over the course of the following week.

My dieting and exercising has been more or less consistent so I'm not sure what explains the fluctuations, but I'm not worried about them as I'm still making progress regardless.

I've avoided being too Spartan on the diet side of things, my calorie intake tends to be between 2000-2500 a day approx, and I get in at least 30 minutes of cardio a day.

My BMI now stands at 32.3, so I'm happy to be closing in on the 'overweight' range as opposed to the obese range.

Just weighed in at 113.9 KG a few minutes ago, I'm so I'm hoping for a decent loss by next Monday. :)
 
fortyfour said:
I don't think muscle toning will change your skin issues. I think its time that deals with that but certainly after you've lost your weight and you are really slim and you have a lot of muscle you will looked toned. Its the fat under the skin that makes you look flabby, not the lack of muscle. You can see this really clearly on - of all people - a woman's video. I went to see it after reading alta's diary. Its the video of the woman she's made her hero. Barbie someone. google barbie px90 and you should be able to find the video that shows her before weight loss, after weight loss but before weight training and then after weight training. In the last picture, she has lost more fat than shows in the pre-weight training pics, though she'd be about the same size. Less fat more muscle.

Also if you lose a lot of weight quite fast you will have bigger loose skin issues and also if you are older. I think dylan and you will not have any troubles in the longer term. Its just that it probably takes a while for all the skin to regrow smaller, ie to a tighter fit.
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I'll bear that in mind, thanks.
 
You have definitely made some awesome choices and lifestyle changes to be well on your way to success. Do not get obsessed with the scale, I weigh once a week. I weigh in every Sunday, the body fluctuates so much that it can become frustrating if you are weighing everyday. Keep up the great work you will do it!!!
 
Keep going. However, maybe you need to think about increasing your exericse somewhat. A leisurely bike ride will not do much for fitness. but it really depends how you ride.

Bike riding is the most efficient form of transport - for units of energy per kilometre, less energy is required. For weightloss, this means you need to ride for longer to get the benefit when compared with other types of exercise. 30 minutes of walking to get started is good. 30 minutes of riding a bike out on the road is not doing much for your fitness while 30 minutes of bike riding in a gym might be ok. But if you ride fast, or if you ride up hills, or with a loaded bike will all help increase the energy required and therefore you will burn more and have your heart rate higher. I mean riding a bike along a bike path at a comfortable pace will not get your heart rate up very high, possibly not high enough to make a difference to your fitness.

I suggest that soon you add another form of exercise to your strategy or increase the distance. I think you should ride for at least one hour to make it worthwhile.
 
fortyfour said:
Keep going. However, maybe you need to think about increasing your exericse somewhat. A leisurely bike ride will not do much for fitness. but it really depends how you ride.

Bike riding is the most efficient form of transport - for units of energy per kilometre, less energy is required. For weightloss, this means you need to ride for longer to get the benefit when compared with other types of exercise. 30 minutes of walking to get started is good. 30 minutes of riding a bike out on the road is not doing much for your fitness while 30 minutes of bike riding in a gym might be ok. But if you ride fast, or if you ride up hills, or with a loaded bike will all help increase the energy required and therefore you will burn more and have your heart rate higher. I mean riding a bike along a bike path at a comfortable pace will not get your heart rate up very high, possibly not high enough to make a difference to your fitness.

I suggest that soon you add another form of exercise to your strategy or increase the distance. I think you should ride for at least one hour to make it worthwhile.
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I should have clarified, I use a stationary exercise bike with variable resistance.

It isn't a leisurely jaunt, I'm sweating and puffing by the end of it :)

I'm considering getting into running once I've lost a bit more weight.

Ozarkturtle said:
You have definitely made some awesome choices and lifestyle changes to be well on your way to success. Do not get obsessed with the scale, I weigh once a week. I weigh in every Sunday, the body fluctuates so much that it can become frustrating if you are weighing everyday. Keep up the great work you will do it!!!
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Thanks.
 
In that case, no sweat. Yeah i had assumed you mean riding in the country side cause its quite a different kettle of fish.

One point just in case its relevant to your choice of exercise. If you want slimmer legs, bike riding is not the way to do . It will only make your legs muscly but when you lose weight, you lose it from all over your body according to your genetic predisposition.

That said, if you have chosen it for other reasons, no drama. If you don't want more muscly legs but want to keep riding the bike to burn calories, don't set the resistance too high and ride faster and or longer.
 
It's really a case of what's convenient for me at the moment, rather than targeting any specific areas.

When I get brave enough to venture out in my exercise clothes I'd like to give running a try, at the moment it's a bit too hard on my joints to consider.

I'm certainly capable of it in the long term though, used to do quite a bit when I was playing team sports regularly.

I'll need to put a bit of the money I'm saving on food aside each week and invest in a good pair of running shoes. That's not a mission I'm looking forward to, I've got massive feet!
 
Congrats on begining your weight loss at a early age, I too had a lot of takeaways in my mid teens and upto my max weight a few months ago. I wish I had started my battle againts my weight at your age and not wated till the size I am now.
 
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