Hello,I'm 16 & i'm 180 lbs at 5feet 5 ins. I know that I am overweight but I just don't know where to start

Question

What can I do to begin getting healthier and more fit? I do go to the gym to do aerobics but its obvious that I need to do more to see results. What kind of foods should I eat and what foods should I stay away from? Also, how often do you think I should be going to the gym? Presently I'm there about 3 days out of the week, sometimes more, sometimes less.

Thanx everybody for the answers so far and those to come.

Answer 1

Tell your parents to clear out ALL the junk food, snacks and sodas. That is the main reason teens are overweight. You have to stay away from that. You should be eating cereal and fruit (or real juice) for breakfast, a good healthy sandwich (like turkey, ham, lettuce, tomato and very little mayo) with carrots and fruit for lunch (no chips) and a good dinner. Offer to help your mother cook and go with her to the grocery store to help plan and pick out your meals. That will make her very happy. No one wants to eat that easy garbage....but she might be too stressed or think she doesn't have the time to get the healthier choices.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Don't worry; these days losing weight and keeping it down is simple, and there's no deprivation involved. Here are the steps you must take to lose about an average of 2.5 - 3 lbs a week. (which is roughly about 15-20 lbs a month.)

1.) Eat a healthy diet consisting of 800-1200 calories a day. This amount of calories will keep you full, but still not surpass your needs. Try to choose from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. No empty carbs, unnatural sugars, and oils.

2.) Drink eight 8 oz glasses of water a day. This helps flush fat, and suppress your hunger.

3.) Exercise daily at least 45 minutes a day. Whether it's cardio, strength training, or just sports, any exercise helps blast calories and keeps you trim no matter what.

4.) Get enough sleep to function. At least 8 hours a night. Studies show that those who sleep less than 7 hours a night tend to eat 25% more during the day than they usually do.

These are the things that will make you lose weight forever and keep it down for another eternity! Also, try taking a multi-vitamin or a appetite supressant like Hoodia Gordonnii to keep you long the way.

Answer 3

3 times a week - for how long? Are you doing aerobics or weights or both? (Both is better. Don't worry about "bulking up" women don't without lots of effort!)

Talk to someone at the gym - you can usually consult with someone to create a rotating plan of exercize.

As far as food - you are only 16. You need to be sure to get enough calcium, your bones are still growing. Eat the same things that you currently do, but just cut back on any candy & junk food or high fat foods you eat. Don't get rid of them completely or you may "binge" and overdo it. Don't beat yourself up if you overeat once in a while either - just give yourself permission to start "fresh" with the next meal.

And remember, you don't want to lose weight short term, you want to find a way to live healthily for the rest of your life! Building good habits now is WONDERFUL!!!

Best of luck!

Answer 4

Hey don't worry, you're still growing. Just try not to gain any more weight.
I was 165lbs when I was 17, now at 26 I weigh 109. When I hit 19/20 I was able to get a handle on my eating habits because I just didn't feel quite as hungry anymore. I started exercising regularly. 25 minutes a day 5 days a week of cardio is what was necessary for me to lose the weight.

Answer 5

If you're already active at the gym, then you need to cut back on what you eat. You might try joining an online dieting site like eDiets. Another way to start is by keeping a journal of everything you eat for a week and how much. Keep track of everything, even just little snacks or bites of this or that. If you think you're eating healthy food, then perhaps you might see a doctor or a nutritionist to see what they recommend.

Answer 6

Try to eat anything that was/is a plant. And lots of them. Two servings of protein(meat) a day. A serving is the size of a deck of playing cards. Water, water and more water. Carbonated drinks are a no, no. They are bad for your body. I cannot go without chocolate, so I try to limit myself to once a day. And try to cut your portions in half of the bad foods, ice cream, cake, donuts and the like. If you try to go without completely, you will feel cheated. And don't give up if you have a bad day. Just stick with it and the good overrides the bad in the long run. Exercise 4-5 times per week, even if its only a 30 min walk.

Answer 7

I can help you there! Fisrt, what you need to know is that to MAINTAIN your weight, you have to get 15 grams of fat. To loose weight, you have to get 14 or less. Start with that. After that, (maybe a month or two later), start trying to eat less. If you like having snacks after school, limit it to a Banana, or an apple. If you can't control yourself (like me) when you start eating- have a minty piece of Gum handy. Before, During, and After your eat the Banana or Apple, tell yourself "I'm only going to have this Banana/Apple, and that's it. I know what's going to happen to me if I have anything more." Right after you finish the Banana/Apple, run to the bathroom and brush your teeth. Then, pop the Gum in your mouth and chew it for the rest of the day...it controls your eating. Feeling an urge to eat? CHEW like the wind. It REALLY helped for me. I lost around a pound a day. ALSO, watch your serving portions. I eat a SMALL bowl of 'Essential Chioce Bran Flakes' with Fat Free (Skim) Milk with it. Also, you can find Fat Free cheese and turkey. I warn it, it doesn't taste the same, but it's TOTALLY worth it. Sorry for the long answer. If you need anything at all, IM me. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 8

Cut fatty and sugary foods from your diet. Don't drink soft drinks, either. Count your colories and make sure your not getting more than you need. In addition to your aerobics, try walking a few miles each day and doing push ups and sit ups. This excercise regime worked really well for my sister, so it'll probably work for you.

Answer 9

Start with the shopping trolley.
You know the rest. The right food , exercise.. why go over the same ground.

Stop thinking about it and DO IT.

Answer 10

800-1200 a day is not healthy at all. alteast 1200-1500 max is good. and DDR(Dance Dance Revolution) is really fun, when i first got it i lost 2 pounds in a week and i wasn't even trying to lose weight! it's like you're excercising without even noticing. good luck!