Please Help

[JennFank]

Hey everyone, I am new here. I am 24 years old and weigh about 165 pounds and I am only 5'4. I want to lose about 30 pounds to be back to normal self again, the way I was before I got engaged. (this changed all eating habits). Unfortunately I have a problem with energy levels because they are very low, which prohibits me from exercising and doing any other physical activity. I also lack the motivation. I want to lose weight but I have no one pushing me to do it, or encouraging me to do it. I try to exercise and eat healthy but it doesn't give me the quick results that I want. I read somewhere that if I cut down calorie intake by 500 a day then I could lose a pound a week. But at that rate it will take me forever to lose 30 pounds. Does anyone have any suggestions to mainly help with energy levels and to help me lose weight?

[gagirl0820]

Losing a pound a week is a healhty amount. Losing too much too fast could make your energy levels drop even further.

On the other hand, EXERCISE will improve your energy level. Even 20 minutes of light cardio will give you a nice burst of energy for several hours.

Don't worry about motivation, start with a "just do it" attitude and see what kind of changes happen.

Also check out www.bodyblues.com which has some great info and suggestions on battling fatigue.

[wvpumpkin]

Hey everyone, I am new here. I am 24 years old and weigh about 165 pounds and I am only 5'4. I want to lose about 30 pounds to be back to normal self again, the way I was before I got engaged. (this changed all eating habits). Unfortunately I have a problem with energy levels because they are very low, which prohibits me from exercising and doing any other physical activity. I also lack the motivation. I want to lose weight but I have no one pushing me to do it, or encouraging me to do it. I try to exercise and eat healthy but it doesn't give me the quick results that I want. I read somewhere that if I cut down calorie intake by 500 a day then I could lose a pound a week. But at that rate it will take me forever to lose 30 pounds. Does anyone have any suggestions to mainly help with energy levels and to help me lose weight?

Here it is, the perfect solution- you need to eat 6 meals per day, every 2-3 hours. no longer apart. You must do away with simple carbs, such as sugar, white bread, white rice, any processed food. Eat only clean foods, which means lots of veggies, fruits, lean meat, such as chicken,turkey, salmon, tuna, etc. Drink lots of water. Start by exercising-cardio and light weights. You must do weights, Actually lifting weights help you loose faster than doing cardio. After you are into the exercising for a couple of months, start doing High intensity interval training. this will really help you loose the body fat quick. Believe me I have been there and I know, this has helped me so much. I exercised for years, but then stuffed junk into trunk. Doesn't work. you must eat right. After you start eating right, you will look back and think yuck that stuff if awful, especially the pop. I despise the stuff now. Hope this helps, you can do it. I know you say you have no energy, but this is why, I didn't either, now I go full speed, and I am 42 years old. I look young, and feel young, just give it a try, Keep your meals to about 300 calories per meal.

[wvpumpkin]

Also, high intensity interval training is like this for example. You go to a track or you can you treadmill, I prefer the track. warm up for about 4 minutes walking or slow jog, then sprint/run as hard as you can for about 20 seconds, walk 40 seconds, do this for 8 intervals, than cool down slow walk or jog for 5 minutes or so. This is all it takes. But start out slow, you don't want to injure yourself, such as shin splints. Also make sure you get a great pair of running shoes such as asics or new balance. I can't believe the diffence in body fat/shape. since I started this. I didn't have alot of weight but I was really soft, now I am firm and fit.

[JennFank]

Hey thanks so much for your help. I really don't have the time to exercise, but I guess I have to make the time in order for me to lose weight. I will definitely get a good pair of running shoes and will try to focus more on lifting than on cardio, but I should still incorporate cardio into workout, right? Hopefully this will work.

Also with the 6 meals per day, what should I be eating for those six meals? It sounds like a lot to eat. Usually I eat breakfast, and then like a salad or so for lunch and then dinner, with a little snack somewhere in between.

I am going to give it a try. I have nothing to lose but weight!

[wvpumpkin]

breakfast-protein and a carb, example eggwhites, and oatmeal
snack-protein shake, some fruit
lunch-whole wheat pita or whole wheat bread,turkey, fat free mayo,mustard. lettuce tomato, piece of fruit
snack,protein and carb, example-string cheese, fruit or yogurt and nuts
dinner-sensible dinner-chicken breast, brown rice, veggies
snack- popcorn, yogurt or protein shake, etc

these are just examples of eating clean. Anything that is by nature is considered clean, you don't want processed junk. I like to eat natural peanut butter for a fat/protein as a snack sometimes. or add it to protein shake in a blender with chocolate protein powder, by optimum nutrition YUM!!

[JennFank]

Thanks for the tips on eating clean. It will def. help in journey to lose weight, however, I was also thinking about giving xenadrine nrg a try. Some of friends have taken it and are still taking it, and it works wonders. I just don't know if I want to give this a try, I'm confused.

[wvpumpkin]

Thanks for the tips on eating clean. It will def. help in journey to lose weight, however, I was also thinking about giving xenadrine nrg a try. Some of friends have taken it and are still taking it, and it works wonders. I just don't know if I want to give this a try, I'm confused.

I have taken xenadrine, did nothing for me. Once you start exercising and eating clean, you will have so much energy. And it will be a natural high. I am so addicted to sprinting, I can't believe it. I do have one free day, where I eat whatever I want, and as much as I want. So far so good, I think it confuses the metabolism.

[clarerb]

i know how you feel hun. im 24 and also 5'4'' and weigh 140 lbs. the thing for me is that 3 weeks after giving birth 2 years ago i was 125 lbs. but i eat really healthy and exercise everyday including weights and cardio and i look good.its when you know how much thinner you used to be that it gets to you.ive decided that maybe this is how i should be now.im a wife and mother and i feel good but i will still never become complacent because you never know one day i might jump on the scales and suprise myself

[Finite]

snack-protein shake

Wrong. If anything, drink a nutrition shake, which contains about the same amount of carbs and protein (and very little sugar or fat).

fruit or yogurt and nuts

Wrong. Nuts have way too much fat for how little protein they contain. You need to have some fat in your diet, but salmon is a better choice (and no more than two portions a week).

In general, remember these four things:

1. You eat complex carbohydrates such as those found in fruit and whole wheat bread, not simple carbs.
2. You eat lean meats and other good sources of protein, not fatty meats or cheeses.
3. You eat veggies with two of your six meals a day.
4. You drink plenty of water, not milk or sugary juices.

Don't start taking drugs or supplements to help you lose weight until you've exhausted all other options. Drugs especially. Things like xenadrine are for people who can't lose weight through diet and exercise alone. Most people can.