losing a significant amount of weight

So, I've been overweight/ obese my entire life, especially after developing thyroid problems around puberty. My long term goal is to lose 60-70 pounds, but I want to lose as much as possible before I go to college at the end of August. In 6 months, what is a reasonable weight loss goal? And by weight loss, I mean more along the lines of inches (especially on both upper and lower arms, as well as stomach and calves).

What types of exercises should I be doing? I joined a new YMCA and go pretty much every day, but so far I only do the bikes for about 45 minutes (because I have to go with my mom since I don't have a car and that's all she'll do) because I have no idea how to use any of the weight machines period, much less to my best benefit. Since the Y is new, the trainers all have 2 month waiting lists for them to teach us how to do everything. I'm also trying to pick up a pilates, yoga, and some other class so I can spend a day in a class and the next day doing the bikes or something. But what else should I do?

Thanks!

 

between 1 and 2 pounds per week is healthy...so thats between 24-48 pounds.

I would lift weights so that you maintain your muscle and lose as much fat as possible. The problem if you do only cardio is that you will lose muscle too. Muscle raises your metabolism and helps you burn more fat. Don't worry, you wont become bulky or look anything like a female body builder.

Most machines are pretty self explanatory, just start out with very light weights and work your way up. You want to do something that works all your major mucles: back, chest, biceps, triceps, abs, quads, hamstrings, and calves. Try doing cardio 3 days a week and lifting weight(full body workouts) for 3 days and take 1 day off. This might be a little demanding if you are just starting out, so you might want to ease into it.

Eating healthy will be the biggest thing you can do in your effort to lose weight. So eat a lot of fruits, veggies, lean meats(if you're not a vegetarian), grains, low fat dairy, and good fats like nuts/olive oil.

 

Thanks!

My brother has a full weight set thing in the basement that he never uses, so I've started doing more on that. I can only force myself to do about half an hour of it though.

Also... is the South Beach diet safe? I've heard various things, but I would like to try to cut out as much bread and starch as I can anyway so it seems as though that would fit along with my plans.


--- this is SilverClover. Apparently my brother made an account.

 

So you're masquerading as your bro HA.

Listen to Megara, and I second the pilates and yoga, they will help you keep the form to help avoid injuries (which will always set you back). Just do what you feel you can do... if you can only do 1/2 hour, well that may be just right for you at this point, as you can gradually pick up as you become more conditioned .

Don't know about specific diets, just incorporate as many veggies as possible, esp. dark leafy greens and sprouts and everything Megara said and avoid over-processed foods.

My biggest advice is... when in college WHATCH THE BOOZING, this packs on the pounds. I know many ppl who got fat cos of the bottle.

 

do what i do- go on the apples/popcorn/fiber cereal and dont sleep at all. it makes you feel like crap but you look amazing!! SWEET!!

 

Do not do this:

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Dietcoketree, this is dangerous advice and horrible nutrition. You are only 16, don't wreck your body already.

 

Actually that would make you look like death.

Not to mention, that would make me gain weight. I have hypothyroid disorder so basically any distinct drop in calories causes my metabolism to fall even more. Therefore, I end up gaining weight by eating less. Plus, not sleeping is retarded and makes you look like an utterly unattractive zombie.

I've been eating lots and lots of hummus, spinach in various forms, and broccoli. I'm trying the whole South Beach Diet thing and while it's much more expensive than my previous diet (fresh veggies are expensive! especiall since my garden is bare for the next few months), I feel a lot more energetic because of all the veggies and water. No bread, pasta, rice, sugar, or fruit (eee) for the next 2 weeks. But that's not actually too bad as long as no one tries to take my broccoli away from me.

 

What type of equipment do you have at your Y? I work for the Y here and I'm just curious because it should have directions right on the machines. And I highly recommend getting on that waiting list for a trainer (or whomever it is showing you the machines). You could also get a personal trainer to come to your house to show you how to use your brother's weight set. Or you could just look up some exercises on the internet. Just make sure you are working all of your muscles evenly. You can't spot reduce remember. Also as far as the cardio goes, the bike is good if you like it, but if you don't try something else. Your mom can do the bike and you could do a jog/walk interval on the treadmill or use the elliptical trainer. I just find that people who use the bike a lot don't burn as many calories as they could on other machines, but everyone is different.

 

Once when I got up to 225(saw myself naked in the mirror!eeeeek!),what I did was eat nothing but soups and salads for a few months.Not an olive--not a chip--extra.nothing.Definately eat no dairy products--a person can have 10 pounds or more of mucous in body tissue.I went from 225 and 36 waist to 31 waist an175 .I was actively working during the entire 3 months,and took a good multiple.good luck.

 

Ummm, yeah, I totally belive that you lived for months off of soup and salad. Regardless of whether you did or not (people do a lot of stupid things) this is not healthy nor is it recommended. Please do not follow the adivce of this person.

Love your body at whatever weight you are at. Eat healthy and exercise. Watch yourself change. Love the new you.

 

Soup can actually be bad for losing weight, because of all the sodium in most soup.

If you make your own, from scratch, that can be avoided, but I wouldn't recommend soup ANYWAY.

Not to mention just living off of soup and salad is NOT balanced, or healthy.

And, possibly try drinking green tea for a metabolism boost.

 

Ouch!Listen--I didn't even recommend it--I just mentioned what worked for me.Yes I ate healthy ,home made soups and salads and took multiple vitamins,minerals including nutritional yeast.My metabolism is very slow,so I admittedly went rather radical.I don't appreciate being called a liar(in so many words),but if you feel the need to do so,go right ahead.

 

Hey man, calm down, I wasn't trying to be mean. I was just saying I wouldn't recommend it to the original poster.

Seriously, I wasn't trying to offend you.

 

OK.It was actually the deadbear that insinuated I was lying.I mean I don't know everything about food and health,but I'm definately not a bullshitter.Jeez--that hurt.

 

Oh okay, hehe...

The only reason IIII wanted to warn the original poster of doing something like that, is because drastic diets make me a little nervous, since I struggled many years with an eating disorder.

So, I just hope that nothing I said hurt you at all. I just get scared when people go too far with dieting, that's all

 

We have treadmills, 2 types of bikes, elliptical machines, and various weight equipment. There are directions, however I've hurt myself before on my brother's machine (which is much simpler in comparison to the machines at the Y it seems) and am not about to repeat that.

I really only like the bike. I can't run due to messed up feet. Eventually when I lose weight I'll try it, but at the weight I'm at now it's just not healthy for my knees at all and after I've tried jogging around my neighborhood I have to put my knees in braces afterwards. It's no bueno. Even the elliptical machine makes my arches fall (which is a problem I've had since I was in elementary school karate classes).

On the bike, I try to do intervals. I have it set on the more resistance side and go for a while, then do short bursts as fast as I can on a lower resistance. The bikes are also better for me because I can focus on the TV and kind of mindlessly bike while I watch the news. I have a harder time doing that on the other machines and the weights don't have TVs at all. Then I'm really painfully aware that I'm not at home studying or doing homework so I don't work out as long. I have to be able to focus my attention elsewhere.

 

Soup isn't so bad if you modify it. Like, I use a bag of dry beans for my split pea soup but only use about 1/5 of the package of seasoning. It's also really filling for not that much bulk. And easy for me to take to school for lunch (which is wicked important.. especially since everything I've been bringing has been so garlicy that even gum doesn't help).

 

hey silver,
A good way to lose some weight relatively fast is the Two Week Fat Flush diet. in 2 weeks you can lose up to 20 lbs and/or completely redistribute your weight. Just do an internet search for the two week fat flush and I'm sure you'll find plenty of info... Also if you wanted to buy the book Beyond Pritkin, it includes the fat flush and ways to maintain your weight loss.. I hope this helps.

 

Also, grrl,
exercise once a day for 20-40 mins including yoga pilates tai chi (its really good for developing balance and coordination) walking, biking...whatever you like... its important to also start building your muscles, so you should try calistetics (sp), easy wall exercises like the squat against the wall, push ups against the wall, leg exercises

good luck grrl.

 

have you tried swimming? its a great workout, not only for cardio either. and its a lot easier on your body...

most people at my school who use the bike for cardio do it a leisure pace...they'll spend 45 minutes on it and not even break a sweat...not saying this is what you do, but when i see these people do that, it gets too me.

find something you like to do, but challenge yourself, you're not going to make any gains (weight loss) by doing things at minimum effort - again, not saying this is you, just from what i see at my schools gym and at the gym i go to at home....