want to lose 40 pounds by Feb..

  Hey everyone I'm new to this site. I joined because I've gained weight. I use to be 149 in September, I guess i started over eating. I just finished high school and i don't have a job or anything(but looking BTW). I don't have much friends. I usually just hang wit my boyfriend. So basically I'm not very active. I am 5'5 and now weigh 160lb, im 18 yrs old. I just recently started a diet of a low calorie intake of 1000, and started exercising.. i don't get much in but i began to play dance dance revolution workout mode for ps2, it makes me sweat n i try to play for about an hour or so. n then i do like crunches and push ups because i have big flabby arms.. and leg raises. Also my bf lives in Queens,NY i live in Manhattan. So i try to go see him, at least 3 times a week. i take the train so getting over there is a little workout for me. Keep in mind i usually sleep all day. I usually sleep for 12 hours. i think my sleep also has a lot to do with my weight going up n down. So my plan is, the more i go to see my bf in queens, the more my body will get use to trip, which means i will start developing more energy because that's what I'm lacking energy. Plus my little workout routine everyday with the DDR game. I usaually burn about 300+ calories playing it... I kno im being optimistic about losing 40 pounds by my Birthday 2-21-09 but its motivating me to work harder. I do really want to be more active its just my energy and motivation isn't how it should be, and that's whats holding me back.. Does anyone have any comments, suggestions or advice? i would luv to hear for you. =)

i'm in about the same situation, i'm 20 years old, i'm 5'5 and 165 pounds now...i want to weigh 132ish, probably a little more hopefully by april or may.  we can be buddies! 

I'm 19, 168 lbs 5'7 and looking to lose about 33 lbs. My goal date is Feb 20th when I go to Dallas....I currently workout 5-6 days a week doing mainly stregnth traing and I am eating about 1600 calories a day or whatever gives me a 800-950 calorie deficit. Would love to be buddies!

Good Luck........

Just wanna clarify that just because you sweat, that doesn't mean you're losing weight. That's the body's way of cooling off.

Quite honestly, I think anyone can do anything they want and achieve their goals if they put their mind to it. Count the calories and exercise. Eat good nutritious foods and switch your exercising routine around every now and then so your body doesn't fall into a trap and stop losing the pounds.

Again, good luck to you!

i totally hear you on using your birthday as a goal date!  i'm doing the same.

i'd definitely sleep less.  think about it - sleeping is the lowest calorie-burning activity out there.  you're not doing anything at all - not even sitting up.  try not to sleep any more than ten hours a night - not only does that give you two more hours a day to do things and burn calories, too much sleep is actually not good for you.  your lack of energy may be because you're sleeping too much.  set an alarm, even if there's nothing specific you have to get up for, and then GET UP.  if you're still super tired after two hours, take a half hour nap.   

and (and i know you knew this was coming), EAT MORE.  1,000 calories a day is only going to mess up your metabolism.  you may lose weight at first, but being hungry all the time is only going to increase your chances of being in a binge/starve cycle, which is bad for your body and bad for your mental health.  and you won't end up losing as much weight as you would have by sticking to a more reasonable diet.  you're only 18 - try eating about 1800 calories a day, and getting some more exercise.  it doesn't have to be crazy - just walk!  you're in one  of the most interesting cities in the world - go see it.  the bike path/walking path thing that runs down the west side by the hudson is fantastic.  or go to central park or the cloisters.  on rainy or too hot days, you could go to the museums.  don't worry about the cost - those are "suggested donations".  if you can't afford to pay, just say you'd like a ticket, and most of the museums have to give it to you. 

I agree with emmersct: eat more and get walking! NYC is such a great place to walk and you can be out basically every day because it doesn't have truly extreme weather. SO . . .start learning about the city. Get a book on its history--walk to the library to get it! Start visiting the places mentioned. Get a tourist guide and do that stuff, over and over again. Really get to KNOW the city. Give yourself an education! Will you be going to school? if so, make time to walk even with classes. Do not be too dependent on visiting your bf for exercise; that isn't healthy for any relationship. Create and follow your own interests, too, and get in shape while doing it.

Even if you feel you have to start slowly, make a point of getting out several times a day for as long as you can each time, even if that's only 10 minutes sometimes. You will never have this much time (freedom) again, most likely, so embrace it!

Good luck. Let us know how it goes!

Hi Melanie - I'm glad you are taking care of yourself. DDR is a great way to work up a sweat!  My kids play it and it looks like they are running full speed sometimes. lol

I just wanted to say that you should center your activities around lots of things and not just going to see your boyfriend.  I know that when you first get out of school, you don't really know which direction to take.  Don't lay in bed 12 hours; get out and live life! Doors will start to open and directions will make themselves known to you. Your boyfriend is just one part of your life, but there's room for lots of other activities, too.

Get out there and enjoy your new freedom! Don't sleep 12 hours, you're wasting time. Live!

Susan