Alright, time for me to step out... (Weight and Diet)

[.Fenris]

I have a confession to make, I weight 247 lbs at 5'7'', and I'm 15. I (try) to lift weights every hour (15 reps), run the treadmill for 15 minutes to come up to 3 hrs of exercise per day. I know about calories and carbs and so on, but I WANT DESPERATELY to look good with a six pack and all that by 10th grade.

What can I do to lose weight AND get the shape I want?






(PLEASE DO NOT GIVE A 5-PAGE LECTURE ON WHY I SHOULDN'T BE SO HEAVY OR WHY I SHOULD GO POST ON A HEALTH SITE, JUST ADVICE.)

 

[Meganium]

Well, you are doing the exercise correctly. What you may be lacking is the foods you are eating. Metabolism may be running very slow in your body. To speed it up, you should start eating a couple of snacks in-between large meals. Snack such as fruits, yogurt, even a small quesadilla wouldn't hurt, as long as it's low-fat or not "junk food". This will pretty much help you get the body you want, while you continue doing your exercise techniques. Hope this helps, because that's exactly what my doctor told me.

 

[donavannj]

I have a confession to make, I weight 247 lbs at 5'7'', and I'm 15. I (try) to lift weights every hour (15 reps), run the treadmill for 15 minutes to come up to 3 hrs of exercise per day. I know about calories and carbs and so on, but I WANT DESPERATELY to look good with a six pack and all that by 10th grade.

What can I do to lose weight AND get the shape I want?

Cut out the junk food and start eating healthier if you're still eating junk food. If you're exercising as much as you say, eat a lot of low-fat, high protein foods, and eat foods high in carbs prior to exercise (but not after), and your body will slowly eat away at your body fat for its fat sources. Bananas are a great food to be eating in weight loss and muscle building.

Also, remember that muscle tissue is more dense than body tissue, so your weight could go up while your waistline goes down.

And remember that weight loss takes time.

 

[.Fenris]

What about citrus fruits? Are those good?

 

[Zet]

300 push-ups
300 sit-ups
150 jumping jacks
3 mile run
(of course you don't do that all in one go, do 150 push-ups and then 150 sit-ups and then back to 150 push-ups)

Do that everyday and you'll be a walking tank in no time. Also wouldn't hurt to do some weightlifting and such as well.

Also cut back on soft drink, chocolate, etc.

 

[TRIFORCE89]

What about citrus fruits? Are those good?

No. Although, Grapefruit is okay. Good fruits are berries. If you want to "treat yourself" have a plum or a peach.

Just think citrus = sugar. Even if it's natural sugar, it's still sugar. Grapefruit probably has the least amount of sugar though, so one is fine. One. Only one.

And keep away from orange juice and such. One glass is like five oranges. Which again equals sugar. Lots of sugar.

Exercise never really did anything for me. I wold stay the same weight but I'd be toned somewhat.

So, diet instead. The key is limiting sugar and practising portion control.

Look into the sugar. You'll be surprised how many thing have sugar. Look at the nutritional information on your food. Fat doesn't make you fat. Sugar (and by extension hidden sugars in carbs) make you fat, followed by calories. And then low-salt. That's the order of importance.

Once you've lost the weight, then exercise.

 

[donavannj]

Once you've lost the weight, then exercise.

I disagree, since it sounds like the OP's got a very good exercise regimen going already, and breaking that could slow down their metabolism.

Citrus fruits would be fine in moderation if you're regularly exercising because of the vitamins they contain. However, don't make them your primary fruit by any means because you can get those same nutrients from other fruits and veggies in combination, especially from leafy, dark green vegetables. And avoid higher starch foods like potatoes (as mentioned), corn, and white bread. When given a choice of breads, always choose a whole grain wheat bread (nutrient-enriched is a bonus) over any other breads, unless you're allergic to something in the bread. Restrict your high-carb food intakes to the half of the day that is before your most intense exercise regimen of the day, and focus on vitamin and mineral replenishment in your meals after exercise.

Make sure your metabolic rate is where it needs to be for you to lose weight, too.

Though I'm not an expert. This is just tips I've picked up from an interest in my own health from those I know who are into things like health, exercise strategies, and nutrition.

 

[countryemo]

ok, im not gonna hijack this or anything. but i should just post
I weigh something about 180-210 (havent checked recently), and am 5,4?
Im not as a huge in excercise as him. Last year I walked 2miles everyday (have trouble running) which i think helped allot, but im not in the class anymore, and free time is a 'lazy.
I also was able to get myself to do some situps (crunches, i cant do all the way) and 'girl' push ups (ok im out of shape much?) which i have trouble doing. and deff no pull-up.
I drink a few bottles of water a day, but also 2 pops a day or 1 or none depending on the day. Most of all my family has is junk-food which is troublesome. I have some healthy frozen dinner type stuff which i have been eating. and the least healthiest i think is chef boyandi?
i have 2 'breafest' (sauges and pancake thing) corndogs in the morning
[school lunch, no pizza] then chef boyandi + chips? or ham sandwhich +chips? after school
then a likley frozen diner as mention above
and pretty much all day is on the couch on pc
i want to try to get more and shape and loose weight

 

[donavannj]

ok, im not gonna hijack this or anything. but i should just post
I weigh something about 180-210 (havent checked recently), and am 5,4?
Im not as a huge in excercise as him. Last year I walked 2miles everyday (have trouble running) which i think helped allot, but im not in the class anymore, and free time is a 'lazy.
I also was able to get myself to do some situps (crunches, i cant do all the way) and 'girl' push ups (ok im out of shape much?) which i have trouble doing. and deff no pull-up.
I drink a few bottles of water a day, but also 2 pops a day or 1 or none depending on the day. Most of all my family has is junk-food which is troublesome. I have some healthy frozen dinner type stuff which i have been eating. and the least healthiest i think is chef boyandi?
i have 2 'breafest' (sauges and pancake thing) corndogs in the morning
[school lunch, no pizza] then chef boyandi + chips? or ham sandwhich +chips? after school
then a likley frozen diner as mention above
and pretty much all day is on the couch on pc
i want to try to get more and shape and loose weight

You've got quite a bit of unhealthy foods there in your diet. Even those "healthy" TV dinners aren't very healthy at all. Replace that pop with something like milk if possible. And convince your family to phase out of the junk food and start eating healthier so you can eat healthier.

 

[Zeffy]

Would, out of curiosity, a 2-hour run help you lose weight?

 

[donavannj]

Would, out of curiosity, a 2-hour run help you lose weight?

If you can physically handle it, it would probably help. But combining both a proper diet and exercise is the biggest key to getting to a healthier weight.

 

[countryemo]

not really 'tv' dinners, hopefully. they used to be 'diet ones but we stopped getting those
eh milk... ill stick with water?
theres also a sorta problem, I cant stand saled really, i know im going to change. but just plain reg lettece with crutons is fine enough? and fish.. i dont eat it.
Other main foods is chicken nuggets/burgers/popcorn. junk food?
I got 2 free weeks at a gym i guess, then i might be able to get in if i stay commeted, which I probally should. and i been trying.. about a health food place but noo. my moms also on a diet so maybe. but they still go out to mc-donalds and takehome pizza
ill try though.. which would be better as a daily activity walking or riding my bike(i prefer)? of excercises ill work on..

 

[Master Jecht]

the best advice i can give you is to drink only water. Most of the drinks out there like juices, gatorades, and pops are just awful for you.

 

[donavannj]

Water's fine. I was just suggesting milk for some variety, since skim milk is very low-fat and is loaded with calcium and often has vitamin D.

Ideally you'd want the green veggies darker than lettuce, but lettuce is far healthier than junk food. Croutons are also kinda fatty, salty, and high in carbs, so I'd try to limit how many you have if you absolutely must have them with your lettuce. Fresh spinach is something you might wanna try (I personally think it tastes far better than canned/cooked spinach, as it doesn't taste gooey and salty).

Fish is more of a leaner source of protein. Unsalted nuts and lean, low-fat meats like chicken and turkey should work just fine as a protein source.

Yes, junk food for those three things. They usually have a lot salt and fat in them. Though a home-cooked burger is far healthier than a fast food burger if it's made from the right kind of ground beef or is made of a mixture of ground beef and ground turkey (which is a cheaper and typically healthier substitute for ground beef that has a very similar taste).

Just going to fast food places in moderation can help (no more than once or twice a week). And Subway is a slightly healthier option over McDonald's, depending on what you put on your sandwich and how big of a sandwich you get.

And walking is easier on your body (because it's more natural) than biking. Biking too much can cause some joint health issues or something like that, I've heard.

 

[Silver]

The guys here really know their stuff and are full of good information, you can find tons of guides and they're happy to answer questions. Other than that, I don't really have any great advice, I've always been the tall skinny kid.

 

[countryemo]

Water's fine. I was just suggesting milk for some variety, since skim milk is very low-fat and is loaded with calcium and often has vitamin D.

skim-milk? dont know if we have that.. but ill just keep ours.
Ill also try to convince to buy some whole wheat bread instead of white

Ideally you'd want the green veggies darker than lettuce, but lettuce is far healthier than junk food. Croutons are also kinda fatty, salty, and high in carbs, so I'd try to limit how many you have if you absolutely must have them with your lettuce. Fresh spinach is something you might wanna try (I personally think it tastes far better than canned/cooked spinach, as it doesn't taste gooey and salty).

Ah ok. What kinda veggie's you talking about? I tried brocilie? before at school and in those 'dinners'. it was standable. ah ok. spinach? ill get there.. someday..

Fish is more of a leaner source of protein. Unsalted nuts and lean, low-fat meats like chicken and turkey should work just fine as a protein source.

Yes, junk food for those three things. They usually have a lot salt and fat in them. Though a home-cooked burger is far healthier than a fast food burger if it's made from the right kind of ground beef or is made of a mixture of ground beef and ground turkey (which is a cheaper and typically healthier substitute for ground beef that has a very similar taste).

ok ill talk to my mom about that.

Just going to fast food places in moderation can help (no more than once or twice a week). And Subway is a slightly healthier option over McDonald's, depending on what you put on your sandwich and how big of a sandwich you get.

ok we dont have it close to that often, so im fine there.

And walking is easier on your body (because it's more natural) than biking. Biking too much can cause some joint health issues or something like that, I've heard.

Ah wow that sucks. Ill stick to biking since i do it more, but ill stick walking in there like in a park or something

 

[donavannj]

skim-milk? dont know if we have that.. but ill just keep ours.
Ill also try to convince to buy some whole wheat bread instead of white

Ah ok. What kinda veggie's you talking about? I tried brocilie? before at school and in those 'dinners'. it was standable. ah ok. spinach? ill get there.. someday..
ok ill talk to my mom about that.

ok we dont have it close to that often, so im fine there.

Ah wow that sucks. Ill stick to biking since i do it more, but ill stick walking in there like in a park or something

Skim milk is the healthiest option because it's the lowest in fat, but whatever you've got is fine.

Dark green and leafy veggies like spinach are the most ideal. Broccoli is fine, though, since it's a green veggie.

Poultry is cheaper than beef where I am, so it'd probably save some money, too.

Good.

Biking is still good exercise. It's just that too much is apparently bad for your body.

 

[Alice]

Don't worry about exercising a ton right off the bat. Just do as much as you can do, and slowly work your way up. Even if all you can do is a 10 minute walk. Do that 10 minute walk. Then, the next day, make it an 11 minute walk, and so forth. Once you start noticing some real improvements, it actually becomes fun, and you'll end up exercising more and more.

When I started exercising, I started out jogging about 10 minutes a day, and I was completely exhausted afterward. By the end of the summer, I could run... indefinitely, actually. So, it really doesn't take that long to see results.

 

[beca]

Some of these tips are great. I'm trying to tone up for the Summer but have a bit of a belly, so I'll be using some of the stuff listed here :P

 

[TRIFORCE89]

Ah ok. What kinda veggie's you talking about? I tried brocilie? before at school and in those 'dinners'. it was standable. ah ok. spinach? ill get there.. someday..

Spinach can be offputting I guess, if you don't eat it regularly. A bit bitter (but really not that bitter compared to other green leafy vegetables). Treat spinach more like a vessel then an end product itself. Spinach + olive oil + garlic = yummyness

Also, I don't like broccoli when it's hard. Which is common at restaurants and the like. You might lose a bit of the nutritional value (I think?), but if you "overcook" it it's good - gets nice and really soft.

"Healthy" instant dinners is usually all marketing. Generally they are very true to what the front claims. If it says low in fat or low in calories, then yes. That's all it's low in and nothing else. And low only means compared to the old version, not necessarily healthy. Sodium is probably through the roof with those.