Newbie introduction, advice, and whatnot

Hi there, I wasn't sure if the "Young Calorie Counters" forum was for young teens, or anyone relatively young, but I figured I'd try here anyway. I've just graduated high school and recently became what many would call an "adult" (feel different? nope not at all. I'll always be a kid at heart), so do I count a YCC?

Anyway I sort of let myself go this year (senior year, serious exam stress), havent excersised once in the past year, or done anything but study study study, and now that it's all over I realize I have become completely out of shape, and managed to gain 20 pounds over the past half year. Really not so happy about that especially since my height or cup size (AA, sad sad..) hasn't changed one bit since I was 12. But as I'm at a perfectly healthy BMI, I decided to not try to lose the weight I gained but rather try to get healthier, and if I happen to lose a little weight, thats always a plus. I would really like to shape up and also get used to a more healthy lifestyle before university starts in two months, and be able to continue healthy once it does.

The burn tool here says I burn 1550 on a typical day. I've read in a few posts that that is a bit low if you're under 21, so I was thinking it would be closer to 1700? Not that I plan on really counting the calories of things I eat, but I guess an average to sort-of aim for would be useful.

So, since I'm a newbie, does anyone have any random advice that would be helpful? I'm pretty sure I know what foods are best, which to avoid. I need to start some kind of physical activity but nothing comes to mind, and it is especially difficult now during the summer holiday when I have no structured schedule and theres something different to do with friends or family every day. Obviously, that shouldnt be an excuse. But still, any ideas besides joining a class or something like that (thats a no-can-do)? I've tried running, I'm quite bad but willing to improve (5 minutes after starting I'm half-dead). Jumping jacks at home? Is walking good enough? How much activity is best per week/day? At the moment I'm rarely doing anything besides the walking I do when I go out with friends.

Sorry I wrote so much! All advice concerning anything health-related at this point is well appreciated.

Well, first off i want to applaud you because the fact that you realize that you're at a healthy weight and are not focused on losing really resonated with me and is quite impressive! many people just focus on the scale and not their health, that's the biggest mistake people make.

In terms of exercise, anything is really great. Instead of trying to make a structured program that revolves around grueling workouts...I would suggest you start playing tennis, basketball, tag, or other games outside with friends. It seems childish but it is so fun and burns a ton of calories. 

walking is definitely good enough to keep you in shape since you aren't overweight at all, and haven't been exercising for quite some time. I would aim for about an hour or so of walking each day since that is a low intensity form of exercise.

Try squeezing in some lunges, squats, push ups, sit ups, tricep dips, and maybe do bicep curls with soup cans. This will maintain your muscle mass and get you the sculpted look. 

I would also recommend getting a jump rope and maybe you could do that with friends or by yourself if they don't want to. Jumping jacks, jogging in place, high knees, anything that gets your heart pumping is going to be beneficial.

What are your stats? That will give me a better idea of the average calories to shoot for, though i'd say you're better off not counting since it's not really necessary and can quickly become an obsession. If you do decide to count I would advise you to first record your eating for an entire day, prior to looking up the calories in order to get an accurate assessment of how much you currently eat. That's the best way to tell your body's needs and metabolism, not using an online calculator. If you currently maintain your weight eating 2000 calories, then eating 1500 would probably not be enough. This will be much more helpful in ensuring you are eating the maximum number of calories without gaining weight and keeping your metabolism firing!!

Hope this helps! feel free to message me with any questions :)

Original Post by chrissy1988:

Well, first off i want to applaud you because the fact that you realize that you're at a healthy weight and are not focused on losing really resonated with me and is quite impressive! many people just focus on the scale and not their health, that's the biggest mistake people make.

In terms of exercise, anything is really great. Instead of trying to make a structured program that revolves around grueling workouts...I would suggest you start playing tennis, basketball, tag, or other games outside with friends. It seems childish but it is so fun and burns a ton of calories. 

walking is definitely good enough to keep you in shape since you aren't overweight at all, and haven't been exercising for quite some time. I would aim for about an hour or so of walking each day since that is a low intensity form of exercise.

Try squeezing in some lunges, squats, push ups, sit ups, tricep dips, and maybe do bicep curls with soup cans. This will maintain your muscle mass and get you the sculpted look. 

I would also recommend getting a jump rope and maybe you could do that with friends or by yourself if they don't want to. Jumping jacks, jogging in place, high knees, anything that gets your heart pumping is going to be beneficial.

What are your stats? That will give me a better idea of the average calories to shoot for, though i'd say you're better off not counting since it's not really necessary and can quickly become an obsession. If you do decide to count I would advise you to first record your eating for an entire day, prior to looking up the calories in order to get an accurate assessment of how much you currently eat. That's the best way to tell your body's needs and metabolism, not using an online calculator. If you currently maintain your weight eating 2000 calories, then eating 1500 would probably not be enough. This will be much more helpful in ensuring you are eating the maximum number of calories without gaining weight and keeping your metabolism firing!!

Hope this helps! feel free to message me with any questions :)

Thanks for replying!

Well sports isnt really my forte, actually I cant really play any sports. Tag sounds fun, althoug I highly doubt my friends would be interested! I guess I'll stick to walking and jogging in place for now. I think I also need to look up all those excersises you mentioned because I have no idea what any of them mean (besides push ups and sit ups)

By stats I guess you mean my height, weight, frame? I weigh 120 pounds now and my height is 5'3 (I think that makes a BMI of 22?). Miniature frame and no muscle (terrible combination when you gain weight), AA cup size (so no extra weight there either!).

To be honest I'd be happy to lose half the weight I gained, but looking at some of the posts in the forums here, I guess it is wiser to not really focus on that, but just count it as a plus if it happens.

Im not sure what to say I eat in a typical day. Since my days have included alot of going out, crashing at friends places, visiting people, I really don't have a typical day. I should probably stop drinking too huh...After exams and all, celebration just seems too natural, but its amazing fun in the form of alcohol, and I know thats bad.

yeah, drinking definitely does not help things. 

The walking and jogging in place will be great exercise.

If you decide to start counting calories, which i advice against, but if you decide to...do not and i repeat DO NOT...go below 1500, you burn almost 1800 by being lightly active, which would include you walking around and stuff with friends...and someone your age shouldn't really dip below 1500, your metabolism will get screwed up and you'll set yourself up for either restricting your intake FOREVER OR being overweight in the future. It's best not to count and make the better choice more times than not, clearly you haven't been overdoing it too much, and a lot of the gain is likely from alcohol so if you cut out the alcohol and exercise a bit more there is really no need to count, it's a headache and a potential obsession that no one needs!!

Please don't count... PLEASE don't count. It's awful and took me forever to stop!

Just concentrate on maybe getting in 4 exercise sessions a week, and eating a balanced diet, with limited sweets (that means 1 or 2 cookies... not 12!), whole grains, vegetables, lower-fat meets, ect. When I first actually started exercising (and not counting) I toned up SO much, was eating MORE than ever before, and stayed the same weight (but went down a size). So worth it. 

Original Post by chrissy1988:

yeah, drinking definitely does not help things. 

The walking and jogging in place will be great exercise.

If you decide to start counting calories, which i advice against, but if you decide to...do not and i repeat DO NOT...go below 1500, you burn almost 1800 by being lightly active, which would include you walking around and stuff with friends...and someone your age shouldn't really dip below 1500, your metabolism will get screwed up and you'll set yourself up for either restricting your intake FOREVER OR being overweight in the future. It's best not to count and make the better choice more times than not, clearly you haven't been overdoing it too much, and a lot of the gain is likely from alcohol so if you cut out the alcohol and exercise a bit more there is really no need to count, it's a headache and a potential obsession that no one needs!!

Ahh thanks for the warning, will definetely not go below 1500! I guess for now I should just try to focus on eating healthier and excersising some. Try for more fruit and veggies, complex over simple carbohydrates, balanced meals. And tomorrow I'm actually home all day, so I'll try to use the site tools to count how much I eat to get an idea. You're right though, counting sounds like a headache, but I guess it's good to get an idea. Although the gain isnt just from alcohol probably because I didnt really drink much untill after exams finished! But yeah, I think in a week or so the celebrating and partying will die down and then no more drinking.

Thanks again so much! You're great help. I added you as a buddy, hope you dont mind!

Original Post by tryatri:

Please don't count... PLEASE don't count. It's awful and took me forever to stop!

Just concentrate on maybe getting in 4 exercise sessions a week, and eating a balanced diet, with limited sweets (that means 1 or 2 cookies... not 12!), whole grains, vegetables, lower-fat meets, ect. When I first actually started exercising (and not counting) I toned up SO much, was eating MORE than ever before, and stayed the same weight (but went down a size). So worth it. 

Ah thanks! I guess 2 people telling me not to count is enough to prevent me =]. hopefully I will be able to start focusing more on excersise (once I get the chance to) and making healthier choices.

Original Post by t0n4r1n0t0t0r0:

But as I'm at a perfectly healthy BMI, I decided to not try to lose the weight I gained but rather try to get healthier, and if I happen to lose a little weight, thats always a plus.

Keep up that attitude. It's very healthy and much too rare.