Hi there, I'm 19 and I was wondering if anybody could offer some help? I'm bout 6'2 and 195 lbs have been dealing with insecurity and weight issues since middle school and I'm looking for a way out.I gained a lot of weight due to depression and eating habits when I was eight/nine. I've never been strong, family disposition for weak upper body strength, and used to be really stringy/scrawny when I was younger. I'm not terribly interested in sports and am inclined towards somewhat sedentary hobbies like art and writing, so I kept some of that weight from middleschool into highschool.
I was teased a lot so I'm rather insecure about looks even though since middleschool I've lost a pant size (went from a 38 to a 36). I just don't find myself appealing. This year I kinda got fed up with feeling bad about myself though so I've started working on trying to better myself and started some dedicated exercising.
I've progressed from being able to do knee-pushups to regular pushups (and can manage about 30 reps of those) and have started doing an hour of cardio on the treadmill every other day at varying speeds (depending on heart rate the machine adjusts)
I'm also watching what I've been eating, only occasionally allowing myself sweets. I don't eat snack food.
I think I've been beginning to see some differences in stomach region, but not as much as I'd like, though a friend of mine said there are more signs of muscles that you couldn't previously see.
However despite I guess progress I'm still rather insecure, like it's painful to look at for me, especially chest, I'd really like to get it flat.
So I was just wondering if I keep up with the cardio (what I'm doing) will I eventually get rid of that extra weight that I'm carrying? I was thinking about trying to lose 10-20 pounds, maybe even more? I don't really care much about muscles...I just want that fat gone, it carries bad memories.
photo to judge I guess:
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c293/oathryo/pic.jpg
Any help whatsoever would be really appreciated.
In need of some advice/guidance.
Moderators: Boss Man, cassiegose
hey welcome to the site. good job on gettin started 
anyway, from wut i learned from the good people on this forum, doing cardio obviously will help you burn fat, but if you're looking to have the "toned" look, you will have to do some weighlifting cuz having muscle will help burn the fat even more and will also boost your metabolism.
for a workout program, you can search the WATERBURY METHOD and stick to it. for a diet plan you can go to the diet section and read READ BEFORE POSTING.
cheers
anyway, from wut i learned from the good people on this forum, doing cardio obviously will help you burn fat, but if you're looking to have the "toned" look, you will have to do some weighlifting cuz having muscle will help burn the fat even more and will also boost your metabolism.
for a workout program, you can search the WATERBURY METHOD and stick to it. for a diet plan you can go to the diet section and read READ BEFORE POSTING.
cheers
first of all your not fat, from looking at ur photo id say ur a little soft round the edges but who isnt at some point? i was expecting to see jabba the hut pop up when i clicked on ur photo from wot u wer saying! anyways id agree with the kid it will help burn more fat if u lift some weights plus youve got the added benefit of a little muscle, its win-win. id keep going with ur push ups but if u can do more than 10 with ease id try decline press ups(feet on an elevated surface) id also invest in a chin up bar (they are extremely cheap). hope this was helpfull and welcome to the site! 
So if I looked some exercises up...like if I did
incline bench press, flat bench press, decline bench press
incline flyes pushups, decline dumbell flyes
for chest
Front deltoid dumbbell raises, front deltoid plate raises, seated deltoid presses
for shoulders
two arm dumbell curls for biceps and dumbell extensions for triceps
is that like a good start? I'm not really looking for much muscle at all...I'd rather be thin than muscular, which is why I've been doing an hour of cardio. Was that a mistake? Would doing that have just made me scrawny?
Also, like what weight dumbells should I be using, I usually try a 10-15 lb dumbell since I'm weak as shit but I don't know if that's okay or should I be using a weight that's barely manageable to push myself, or am I okay?
incline bench press, flat bench press, decline bench press
incline flyes pushups, decline dumbell flyes
for chest
Front deltoid dumbbell raises, front deltoid plate raises, seated deltoid presses
for shoulders
two arm dumbell curls for biceps and dumbell extensions for triceps
is that like a good start? I'm not really looking for much muscle at all...I'd rather be thin than muscular, which is why I've been doing an hour of cardio. Was that a mistake? Would doing that have just made me scrawny?
Also, like what weight dumbells should I be using, I usually try a 10-15 lb dumbell since I'm weak as shit but I don't know if that's okay or should I be using a weight that's barely manageable to push myself, or am I okay?
well you need a full body program but i'd have you on this before concentrated wt workouts
1 - static lunge x 12 / push up x 12 / inverted rows x 12 / prone plank x 1min all in a row then rest 1min x 3 circuits
2 - reverse lunges x 12 / single arm shoulder press x 12 / db chest supported rows x 12 / side ab plank x 30secs all in a row then rest 1min x 3 circuits
an hr of cardio is worthless, muscle burns fat and it's not like you'll get huge overhight
use as heavy wt as you can for the shoulder presses and rows but technique needs to be perfect atr all times
1 - static lunge x 12 / push up x 12 / inverted rows x 12 / prone plank x 1min all in a row then rest 1min x 3 circuits
2 - reverse lunges x 12 / single arm shoulder press x 12 / db chest supported rows x 12 / side ab plank x 30secs all in a row then rest 1min x 3 circuits
an hr of cardio is worthless, muscle burns fat and it's not like you'll get huge overhight
use as heavy wt as you can for the shoulder presses and rows but technique needs to be perfect atr all times
Hey don't be discouraged, keep coming back around, we love hearing from everyone. You've got a frame for more muscle than what you currently have and it will give you that slim healthy look that I think you want to achieve. You've started out great and I'm quite certain you can continue doing great.
Fact: muscle burns fat, steady endurance type cardio eventually burns off muscle not fat, less muscle eventually means more fat.
Weight training and sprints (anabolic type exercises) will better help you reach your goals than long distance, steady rate cardio sessions (catabolic type exercise)-not that it is bad but not quite the right tool for the job you wish to do. [a screw driver sucks as a wrench but they both are used to turn].
Cheers
Fact: muscle burns fat, steady endurance type cardio eventually burns off muscle not fat, less muscle eventually means more fat.
Weight training and sprints (anabolic type exercises) will better help you reach your goals than long distance, steady rate cardio sessions (catabolic type exercise)-not that it is bad but not quite the right tool for the job you wish to do. [a screw driver sucks as a wrench but they both are used to turn].
Cheers
I get easily discouraged though, I'm not athletically inclined or sporty at all so it is all territory I'm not completely comfortable with. I'm not comfortable with myself as is either, I think I'm ugly. Like I HATE chest, I'm embarrassed by it, I hate it. If anything all I'd want is to get that flat.....
Quite honestly I've hit a bad spot. I thought I was really getting somewhere with that cardio...I felt good for once and when it comes to all these new exercises I get a bit overwhelmed just looking at them... I get intimidated and feel like nothing I do will get me anywhere...
I probably need a trainer, but that's stupid cause I'd have to join a gym for that and meanwhile we have a gym here at school, but they don't offer a trainer, I'm pretty sure. It sucks, I need somebody there for support. Will probably do a weight training class after winter break.
I know you suggest otherwise but this is what I've been doing...it probably sucks .....
three sets of pushups, 15 reps each set
three sets of crunches 15 reps (could probably do more)
three sets of two arm dumbbell curls 15 reps each set
three sets of standing two arm dumbbell presses 15 reps each set
three sets of dumbbell extensions, 15 reps each set
I've dropped cardio.
Should probably be doing things for legs and chest.
=/ so yeah...I really don't know how to go about this without getting overwhelmed in executing things.
Quite honestly I've hit a bad spot. I thought I was really getting somewhere with that cardio...I felt good for once and when it comes to all these new exercises I get a bit overwhelmed just looking at them... I get intimidated and feel like nothing I do will get me anywhere...
I probably need a trainer, but that's stupid cause I'd have to join a gym for that and meanwhile we have a gym here at school, but they don't offer a trainer, I'm pretty sure. It sucks, I need somebody there for support. Will probably do a weight training class after winter break.
I know you suggest otherwise but this is what I've been doing...it probably sucks .....
three sets of pushups, 15 reps each set
three sets of crunches 15 reps (could probably do more)
three sets of two arm dumbbell curls 15 reps each set
three sets of standing two arm dumbbell presses 15 reps each set
three sets of dumbbell extensions, 15 reps each set
I've dropped cardio.
Should probably be doing things for legs and chest.
=/ so yeah...I really don't know how to go about this without getting overwhelmed in executing things.
just do the first circuit 3/week for starters then
1 - static lunge x 12 / push up x 12 / inverted rows x 12 / prone plank x 1min all in a row then rest 1min x 3 circuits
there's only 3 others you need to elarn and they're pretty easy
also get that food in order too
give the exercise a go right now and see how they go
1 - static lunge x 12 / push up x 12 / inverted rows x 12 / prone plank x 1min all in a row then rest 1min x 3 circuits
there's only 3 others you need to elarn and they're pretty easy
also get that food in order too
give the exercise a go right now and see how they go
Okay, will do, I promise. I just get freaked out if I'm doing something wrong and stuff...
What's a good alternative to inverted rows if one doesn't have the proper equipment at our gym? (ours is rather lacking) I do believe we have something like this here at school but just in case. They're kinda like a pull up or a backwards push up in a way right?
What's a good alternative to inverted rows if one doesn't have the proper equipment at our gym? (ours is rather lacking) I do believe we have something like this here at school but just in case. They're kinda like a pull up or a backwards push up in a way right?
Hey, don't give up it's not as bad as it seems. I mean honestly you are a 6'2" 195 lb and I am 5'2" 190 lb female...now imagine the difference. Losing weight takes time. You didn't put it on over night and your not going to lose it overnight. Be patient and continue to work hard. Even though your "not very atheletic" as you say you don't have to be a pro-athelete to lose weight, you just have to be consistant. Do what you can do and eventually you will build yourself up to doing more, and before you know it you will have the figure that you're wanting.