New here, looking to lose 110lbs

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2005
New here, looking to lose 110lbs
5
Mon, 06-20-2005 - 5:51pm

I"m 24 and at the hight of my weight, I have always been overweight but never this big! I weighed in at 233lbs, this is quite large for me,(I'm only 5'3") so I'm in an 18/20 size jean, and it totally sucks. I have started walking on my breaks and on lunch, total I walk 2 miles during work and I go to the gym for an hour 3-5 day's a week and do 30 min cardio and 20 min weights, and 10 min streching. I have almost got my self compleatly off pop, and now I drink mostly crystal light and water, as well as one can of diet sprite per day(but not every day), unless I go out to dinner with family.

any suggestions on how to help me move along with this is great. I am having a hard time losing a few lbs, let alone ober 100lbs.

example of food I'm eating: today

B: blueberry muffin and 20 oz of lemonaid crystal light
S: 100 cal pack of cheese nips and 20 oz of crystal light
L: left over beef pot rost with onion and a few red potatoes, and pink lemonaid
S: 100 cal pack of chips ahoy cookies and 20 oz of crystal light
D: baked chicken with wild rice and mixed veggies and water

Jen

Avatar for jess9802
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Mon, 06-20-2005 - 6:50pm

Jen,

First, welcome to the board. You and I sound very similar--I'm slightly taller than you (5'5"), but my high weight was 242. Second, congratulations on making the decision to lose weight now. It's not always easy, but remember it's a lifelong process. I have a couple of thoughts, based almost entirely on anecdotal experience. Your mileage may vary.

Okay, the first thing that struck me is that you may not be exercising enough. I know this sounds hard to believe, but research is showing that those of us with a lot of weight to lose do the best when we work out up to 90 minutes a day most days of the week. Walking two miles during your lunch break is awesome, so you shouldn't have to spend much more time at the gym. But your workouts might need some revamping. Stretching is great, and it makes you feel good, but it won't help you burn calories. For your cardio workouts, make sure you're working out at high enough intensity (you should be breathing hard), and that you're not cheating by leaning against the rails or maintaining poor form. Make sure you mix it up--try stationary bikes, the elliptical, stairclimber, etc. For your weightlifting routine, form is going to be EXTREMELY important. It might be worth it to talk to a trainer to make sure your form is good. Weightlifting should be challenging. I'm always amazed when I go to the gym and I see women lifting very light weights. You should have a hard time getting through the last two repetitions in each set. Muscles need to be fatigued to become stronger. I imagine that 20 minutes is not enough time to lift weights. I do a relatively quick routine, and it takes me about 45 minutes to get through everything (about 8 or 9 machines).

I lost the majority of my weight by doing the following workout: I did an hour of cardio (mixing it up between the elliptical, the stationary bike, the recumbent bike, the rowing machine, and the stairclimber). Then I walked for 30 minutes. (I don't lift weights very often, which is not good, I admit.)

As for your diet: I have the worst eating habits on the face of the earth, so I'm not really one to criticize. But your breakfast definitely needs some tweaking. I don't know how many calories are in that blueberry muffin, but there are probably better things. Eggs, high fiber cereal, fruit, etc. are all much better choices, and they will leave you fuller. Rather than eating a Cheese Nips for a snack, you could have some grapes and a couple slices of cheese or a handful of nuts. You probably need some more fruits and veggies at lunch and your snack. Your dinner sounds great! But there are some unknowns in all this. Muffins are notoriously high in calories and fat, and while rice is healthy, it can pack a pretty serious number of calories if you don't watch your serving size. I'd recommend weighing and measuring all your food for the next week and counting calories. You might be surprised at how much you're really eating--don't forget hidden calories!

Finally, remember that weight loss done right takes time. When I started exercising and counting calories, the most I lost in a single month was just 10 pounds, and that was only the first month. After that, I averaged about three to five pounds a month. I did lose 60 pounds in a year, though. (I haven't lost any weight in about a year...but I haven't gained any weight, either.) I still have another 50 pounds to lose, and I expect it will probably take another year to get that off. But it's okay.

Good luck!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-10-2004
Mon, 06-20-2005 - 10:41pm
Kid, you gotta get some more lean protein in your diet, and definitely more fiber. I'm with the other poster; eggs, high fiber cereal, nuts, lean cheeses, high fiber fruits and berries (berries are wonderful!) yogurt and berry smoothies, etc. You aren't feeding your metabolism for the exercise you're doing. Incorporate some healthier foods in your diet and more of them and see how you feel. Also, alternate plain water with your Crystal Light, keep some pure stuff running through you. These subtle changes should show you something in a couple or three weeks. Kristi :o) <><
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
Tue, 06-21-2005 - 10:20am
Hello Jen and welcome to the boards!
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-25-2005
Tue, 06-21-2005 - 10:47am

Hey Jen and welcome to our board!


I agree with what everyone said about your diet.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2005
Tue, 06-21-2005 - 2:43pm

I will try to eat more protein, but for this week, I'm short on cash and the pot rose is all I have for lunch. I did bring a bag of green grapes, (about 3 cups) and have been munching on them all day, as well as sugar free flavored water (safeway brand, raspberry & blackberry) it's a one Liter bottle. I also have a can (20oz) of pinapple. and a diet sprite. for breakfast I had a lean pocket breakfast pouch with egg and ham.

yesterday I went to the gym and did 30 min on the eliptical and did 30 min on weights, upper body, I am going to do lower body today.

Jen