Am I on the right track??
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| Tue, 08-10-2004 - 11:03am |
Although I'm not new to the iVilliage boards, I am new to this one. I'm 22 and I weigh 230 lbs. And I am trying my hardest to lost weight. Although I don't want to lose 100 lbs, I still am up there so I figures this woudl eb a good place to start. When I started losing weight (3 years ago) I was in the 100 or more to lose category. AFter my first year of university, I weighed nearly 255 lbs. Since then (and solely from working at "Sweatshop" factories in my summers - places where there is lots of physical labour and lots of sweating!!-) I'd lost 45 lbs. Until I went back to University for my 3rd year and found myself with tons of extra work and lots of sitting down trying to complete essays and labs... and having no time so giving into either fast-foods or easy to prepare foods (which usually means tons of carbs). Since the beginning of January I have, on numerous occasions, tried to get as much exercise in as possible and try to adjust my eating habits... I am aware that to lose weight and better my health that I do need to change my whole style of eating, and I know that I can't just go on a diet.
THAT being said (I just wanted you guys to know where I was coming from!!) here is my question... I guess its not really a question, but I don't know... I'd like opinions and answers based on experience and knowledge etc...
For the past couple of weeks I have been spending 40 minutes a day on the treadmill speed walking (3.5-3.7 mph --> I know its working cause I sweat like crazy!!!) and have been walking after dinner. I also have changed my eating habits and have realized what portion sizes I should be having, and have tried to either cut out or decrease bad foods (like butter, unhealthy fats (chips, chocolate bars etc), dressings and mayonnaises etc.) and have tried to have healthy and balanced meals. Once I get back to univeristy (in 3 weeks!) I will have access to weights and muscle srengthening equipment. Also I am trying to drink lots of water everyday.
DO you you think that if I continue to stay on this plan that it will be enough? Do you think that I will lose wieght if I stick to it? I'm just not sure if what I'm doing is ever enough ... I guess what my real problem is, is that if I don't see results quickly I give up, and I really DO NOT want to this time. Does anyone else have a similar weight loss strategy??
Anyway, I'm done blabbering away now... :) any advice that anyone can give me would be greatly greatly appreciated!!
-Jen*

~~Linda
246/211.5/199(for now)
~~Linda
I'm 23 ... and had a starting weight of 270 ... i'm now down to 245'ish (maybe lower dunno i haven't weighed myself this month yet lol) ..... i prolly would have lost more if i'd been more committed in the beginning but it's coming off steadily now ................... you sound like are pretty much on the right track to me .... I am only calorie counting, watching what i put in my mouth, drinking water and exercising 4-5 times a week .... just be patient, it will come off .... i know how you feel though .... it gets irritating when you wanna lose NOW and it takes time ........... but just keep in mind that you didnt gain it all over night so it wont all come off over night :)
If you're watching what you eat and exercising regularly, you will lose weight. How quickly you lose weight depends on how much of a caloric deficit you're creating. The only other advice I can give you is to switch up your exercise routine now and then. You don't want to rely solely on walking. Since you'll have access to a gym, try exercise bikes, stairclimbers, elliptical machines, and rowing machines. If you've got room in your schedule, consider taking a class like yoga, pilates, spinning, whatever, or (if you're comfortable in a swimsuit--I'm not), swim laps. You want to challenge your body in new ways and prevent boredom. And Shawna's right--you will have to adjust your plan along the way. The more weight you lose, the less food you need.
Good luck. You'll do fine.
Hi Jen and welcome:
Congrats on making your lifestyle change.
Fear
In response to some of your posts: The saying that I've heard several times on this board "It took time to gain weight, it will take time to lose it too." is really sticking with me. I never really saw that before. And I know I have to be patient.
Also, I can't wait to get back to my university and free gym as I don't plan to solely walk (I know sooner or later I would get bored of that!!) and take your advice on attending classes, getting into weight training, and using different machines. I love the elliptical trainer, I can't wait to get back to use that one. And our school hires several men and women to lead classes such as muscle up (A weight class), kickboxing classes, yoga and step classes, which are 100% free. I am going to take MUCH advantage on that.
For now, thank you for your welcome, and I know that I will be posting often.
For now, I'll leave you all with this, something I always try to remember when I'm deciding which path to follow: Unhealthy food never tastes as good and not being active never feels as good as being healthy will make you feel.
Hope this finds you all happy!!
Jen