Support in need! Need advice!

I'm a high school senior and really need a boost. I never really feel confident about myself, and by losing weight [about twenty pounds] I really hope to feel a bit better about myself. My only problem is that I can't stay focused and can't seem to exercise as much as I need to.

I realize that the only way I can lose weight would be through diet and exercise, the two things I struggle with the most. It's mostly since I never really have had anyone to support me in this. I'd appreciate it if some one could help me and give me advice, and in return, I'd do the same.

So far, I've been doing better at dieting, although I still need work, seeing how I passed my calorie limit last night =/. Exercise is something I really need to work on. I use to run but never lost weight, so I'm hoping that by dieting as well, I can finally start to lose some weight.

Support and advice is really appreciated! Eating tips and exercise tips will be very helpful. Wish me luck, and good luck to all of you!

Hello

I am Tay,  I am 26 and I live in San Diego. I read your information, and I would like to share with you some tips and some motivation to keep up with your personal goals.

I lost about 20 pounds last year, and I've been keeping it off with a good workout routine, and always trying to eat as healthy as possible (but I am a normal person, I eat everything in small portions, including chocolate sometimes!!!).

I know how hard is to make this decision, and I hope you are committed to yourself.

The most important thing before you make your decision is to know what are you willing to give up in order to loose that weight and to change your life?? Are you willing to give up chocolate? Ice cream? Hours in front of the TV? Or using the internet?

As soon as you commit to change bad old habits everything will change in your life. Find something that really motivates you (like that dress you always wanted to wear, or that bikini, etc), and keep it posted all over your place. If you can see yourself inside it in the future, you will do whatever it takes to make it.

Anyways, hope we can share some information, and help each other to reach our goals.

Cheers,

Taybele

Hi my name is Tracey, im 34 and in oklahoma. i myself am just getting back into the swing of things as far as losing weight goes. It is a huge struggle, but i will tell you the one exercise that worked wonders for me,(i lost 20 lbs in under 3 months)was the eliptical machine, it is wonderful, and its tough at first but if you keep pushing yourself it WILL pay off Hope we can share stories and progress sometimes.

Take care and best of luck on your journey

Tracey

I have heard that the elliptical is a great machine. I will have to admit that I have avoided that machine more than any others in the Y. I get on that thing and I can only do about 5 minutes. It definitely is a good workout. Any suggestions about how you built up to a good amount of time. I would love to know.

Thanks, Cathy

i remember when i started i could only do 10 mins and was nearly dead:) just pace yoursef, thats all i can say, and determination to finish the time frame. i am now at 60-90 mins and burning 800-1000 calories, I think i love it so much because it has showed me results.     START LOW TIME, SLOW AND MOVE UP 10 MINS each new workout/

Good luck

Tracey:)

Thanks for the info. I am getting over bronchitis this week so hopefully will be able to start up my Y again next Monday, that is the plan.  For now I will try and do some things around here with the weights for some exercise, as well as walking my circle where I live.

I did not realize how much the elliptical helped me manage my weight until I got injured, sick... Try not to be intimidated by it. Can you think of it as your friend trying to help you melt the fat away (thats how i view my 8 glasses water/day). That may sound stupid but visualization can help alot to stay on track. Also, If you start with 5 minutes even increasing and addditional 5 minutes per week is good. You also dont want to injure yourself by never doing it and then do 30-60 minutes right away. That happened to me when I laid of 1-2 months then I went back to my usual 30-45 minutes and I pulled a groin muscle:(

hang in there. cat

i agree Cat, you can go at your own pace, but that eliptical is the key!!!:)

I can definately do the elliptical for an hour...I'm trying to lose around 30lbs.  In addition to my diet (of course)  how long/how many days per week do you think I should do the elliptical for to see results...I need results to stay motivated and it's been SUCH a long time since I have seen myself thin (since my ballet days help!!!

-Sara

Sara,

After heart surgey my doctor sai to do 30min 5x/week to be healthy. Due to feet injuries I have been unable to do that; however, i do not think she meant it in the context of losing weight but being healthy.

What say ye current ellipicallers? cat

Glamorous, i do it 5 days a week, im looking for results too, :)

I feel like it's sooo discouraging when you DONT see the scale go down...or continue to look in the mirror and not see results...That "stick-to-it-ness" is such a hard thing to carry from day to day...with eating and exercise...but i'm 22 years old!  I'm 5'5'' and 166lbs!  That's not good!  I need to get down to at least 135.  Oh god...someone give me some peace of mind here!