Please Help

[crazy4Christ007]

Hello, my name is Lauren and I need help loosing weight. I've been trying to loose weight for a while now but starving myself and exercise isn't helping. I'm sixteen and I'm looking to loose twenty pounds. I weigh 145 and im 5'7...i need some encourgement and a diet plan that doesn't envolve drinks or pills. Please help...thanks a million,
Lauren

 

[voraciousvegetables]

Hi Lauren, I understand what you are going through, self-image is a pretty powerful thing. I hope you don't mind if I share with you what I know about health/fitness stuff. I hope there is at least something usefull. (this post is long I hope it doesn't bore you) Your wieght depends on several things:

1. body-type:

ectomorph-long and lanky, very fast metabolism
mesomorph-medium metabolism, tendancy to be muscular
endomorph-slow metabolism, increased storage of fat

2. Activity level. How much do exercise and how intense is it? What do you do for exercise? How consistent are you? How much you exercise affects your metabolism, or how fast your body burns calories.

3. Calorie intake. Most americans take in way more calories than they need. How many calories you need depends on your activity level (mental and physical), body type, if you're growing...etc.

One really important thing I have had to learn, is that how you look does not affect your worthiness of love, and your value as a person. I know in my own life, the times I worry alot about how I look are the times I'm obsessing over what other people think of me, and forgeting that God has made me the way I am and loves me no matter what.

That said, I think it is important to take care of the body God has given us. Unfortunately there is no magic diet, or program that tranforms people in an effective, healthy, safe way. Most highly advertised diets deprive take weight off in the form of water, which comes right back, or something like that. Right now there is a no carb craze. Carbohydrates are the main source of weight gain, but they are also essential for your body to work right.

So, practically speaking, the only way is...yes... exercise like cardio (running, biking) to burn lots of calories, and (my favorite) strenght training (weights) and eating a reasonable amount of calories from healthy foods. Most girls shy away from weights because they don't want to be really beefy, but realistically, girls don't have the right hormones to get that way naturally anyway. Strength training is very effective, if it is done consistently and with a decent a mount of intensity. I would encourage a you to start slow, maybe 10 min jog 3 times a week and see if you can work up to 30 min 3 times a week in 3 months or so. Sorry this post was so long, let me know if you want to know more. And good luck sister remember, you don't need to be a toothpick to be loved. ~Scott

 

[crazy4Christ007]

Thank Scott, that's really nice. I run a lot but don't do weights. I ran 14 miles yesterday (new bridge run) and I'm not sore or anything. I'm very active, always in some kind of sport but I have a belly that I hate. I just want to loose weight in the stomach. I eat like any teenager would, junk food. I should cut down but it's so hard!! I don't drink any sodas but I eat candy and junk all the time. Any suggestions on how to start eating better? I don't like veggs or fruits, how do I start. Thanks for your time,
Lauren

 

[progressivegal]

A very important thing to remember is to avoid these two things:
High Fructose Corn Syrup and Artially Hydrodenated and hydrogenated oils. Those things are AWFUL for your health and can cause weight gain.
I can also recomend a very good book called "fit for life" and the sequal "living Health".
I also recomend that you start a strength training program which can aid with maintaing a healthy weight. Most mportantly though, trust in God. He is the one in control and he is going to take care of you. Rember that you are exactly how he wants you to be, and if you lose weight, you are exactly the way he wants you to be at that time. God bless you.

 

[crazy4Christ007]

Thank you progress! I'll be sure to look up those books. I understand that God likes how I look but I still don't feel good about myself. Loss of confidence I guess. All my friends are beanpoles and I just don't fit in. A strenght training program? What do you mean by that exactly?!? Thanks for your time,
Lauren

 

[symphonyb]

I agree with Kris up above me,was thinking you're not weighty at all.If you were pushing 155-165 maybe,but you say you run>thats a healthy body there. smile dear,your active and working on a good healthy body,I think you're better off than most teens.

 

[winglovesall]

Hey -

Having a balanced diet helps you loose weight. I think - by not eating - is increasing your weight, rather than decreasing.

A balanced diet means you have the same amount for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - these three basic meals must be eaten - routinely, it is important to have them around the same time.

Regular exercise is important because it helps you loose weight.

But the important thing is - that you must be able to balance yourself - and don't starve yourself.

Hey - I think 145 lbs is alright, I'm 120 lbs - and I'm already thin - I have 30 inch. waist length.

 

[crazy4Christ007]

Thanks for everything guys. I understand what yall are saying, and I will try to eat heathier and not so much. Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[Tamara77777]

The worse thing is to starve yourself. It messes up your metablism,. Eat small frequent meals, not huge...and drink water/exercise Get the book "Free to be Thin" it helps you to loose the weight God's way.

 

[fitmom]

The worse thing is to starve yourself. It messes up your metablism,. Eat small frequent meals,...and drink water/exercise

Excellent post, you will not lose unwanted fat if your body is in starvation mode. J

 

[Balugon]

no offense or anything, but i hear a lot of girls say they think their fat or that they are trying to lose weight. Im a guy, and frankly it worries me to see all these great looking-totally healthy girls trying to look like bean polls. Superskinny can border on anorexic and thats not good. Besides, I would think most guys (the main ones ur appearance matters to, besides u) like healthy bodies. (I know a lot that dont like the really skinny girls because they do start to look anarexic). So maybe instead of trying to lose weight, maybe u should start to work on being happy with the body that u already have. Just a thought. Oh, and besides, the more skinny ur friends were u would always look fat in comparison to them, just something else to think about. (Not that 'looking' fat is bad, but maybe ur standard is just off)

 

[fitmom]

no offense or anything, but i hear a lot of girls say they think their fat or that they are trying to lose weight. Im a guy, and frankly it worries me to see all these great looking-totally healthy girls trying to look like bean polls. Superskinny can border on anorexic and thats not good. Besides, I would think most guys (the main ones ur appearance matters to, besides u) like healthy bodies. (I know a lot that dont like the really skinny girls because they do start to look anarexic). So maybe instead of trying to lose weight, maybe u should start to work on being happy with the body that u already have. Just a thought. Oh, and besides, the more skinny ur friends were u would always look fat in comparison to them, just something else to think about. (Not that 'looking' fat is bad, but maybe ur standard is just off)

WELL SAID! Welcome to CF! A rep. for you. I am thinking about writning a book on this very topic and I would like to use your post as my introduction! God Bless,J

 

[Tamara77777]

WELL SAID! Welcome to CF! A rep. for you. I am thinking about writning a book on this very topic and I would like to use your post as my introduction! God Bless,J

YOU SHOULD DO IT! I was trying to add you to my 'buddy list' not sure how though! praisingonpiano

 

[artjack]

as you want to lose weight you have all the info. there above, be happy with your diet you are on & enjoy doing it & it will build your confidence as you see the results, dont want quick results plan for long a outlook taking it step by step & not just weeks for a new you. Dont do more than you are unhappy doing like starving yourself. Have treats planed for yourself, always chose small treats & when shoping do the same, It is while you shop you lose weight. drink plenty of good water. Enjoy

 

[Christian_Cowgirl]

Hi Lauren,

I know how you feel. I am was in the same position a little while ago. I can say one thing. If you are five foot seven, I don't think you woud be able to lose twenty pounds and still be healthy. I am 5'7 and I weigh 160, and I could only lose about twenty pounds.
Starving yourself only decreases your metabolism. It causes you to bloat, and causes your body to go into starvation mode everytime you eat. Your best bet is to eat smaller meals everyday and exercise at a good pace to where your sweating after 7 minutes. I jog almost 10k per day, and my metabolism has gone up majorly.

Just encouraging you. Don't go on a diet plan, that only lasts for awhile. You want to change your life style, so once you lose the weight you will keep it off.

 

[Balugon]

oh, i forgot to add that i dont always eat the best, but thats because my parents buy junk, so i cant really help it. But what i do do, is ( i work at Burger King), when i work, instead of getting something that i know is fried or full of fat and stuff, i just get something that i know is more healthy. Its only a sandwhich every now and then, but it still helps because i do it weekly. U could start with something really small, like instead of potato chips, get ur folks, or u, to buy those baked chips (i think their called sun chips), or if u go for ice cream, instead of three scoops, take two or one. if ur out at a mall or something, dont go for the pizza, go with the spagetti with light sauce or something, or a grilled chicken sandwich, or just dont ask for fries. This might be carrying on a little but, another big one is pop, i would just avoid it at all costs (thats just me) its pure sugar (if it even as any natural sugar in it at all, heh.) rots ur teeth, is an acid, and actually depletes the calcium that u have in ur body, not to mention dehydrates u, i would try to substitute this for water, which is much better for u, or maybe sugar-free koolaid or those flavored waters that they have. just some tips for ya. (oh, and some stuff, like fruits and veggies, u have to make urself eat them and after a while u dont mind them at all, it might stink for a while, but it will be worth it in the end.) and if u want to use what i said fitmom, go right ahead, i give u full rights and all.

 

[ashes2beauty]

5'7" and 145 is quite healthy. If you just want to lose your belly pudge... do various excercises. Not just sit ups, because sit ups can suck... but you know those giant excersise balls? Well, I've laid on top of one... and rolled out so the ball would be under my shins... and I start doing push ups. I could feel it in my abs alot.

Also, with the ball, I lay on my back (on the floor), put the ball between my legs (between the knee and ankle), and raise my legs as high as they will go (i try for a 90 degree angle)... take the ball with my hands and bring my hands to the floor behind my head... then back up, take the ball with my legs, go down to the floor... back up (and so on). Typing it I cant give a very clear image, but I did feel it working in my stomach quite a bit.

Don't focus on loosing weight though since 145 is quite thin for 5'7". It really is. Don't worry about the number the scale reads...

Just work on toning up, because it soiunds like you're really just concerned about your belly.

 

[Gardenia]

First, I think you're already at a very healthy weight for your age and height.
As was said, not eating is one of the worst things you can do. Try having 5 or 6 small, healthy meals a day.. with plenty of water. Also, I wouldnt remove all junk food from your diet if you really crave it. My friend tries to do this, and she'll go a week without junk food, then sit down and eat bags of chips and cookies etc all in one day. =/ Junk food is okay if you have a little each day, or every other day. You still have to give yourself treats, bot dont go over board.

A good diet with excersize is a great thing. You may not lose much weight, and you probably dont need too, but you'll feel a lot better about youself.

 

[Bubbles06]

Hey

This is more just from my perspective, but I used to have a really bad image about myself too. One of my friends is super skinny, and the other is so-so. Anyways, I am 5'1 and weigh 115 pounds. I know that 105 pounds is ideal for my weight and I actually used to be underweight until I started exercising a lot. I do Riverdance stuff (Irish step dancing) for 2 hours every Wednesday and also I jog for 20-30 minutes every other day and do a lot of crunches. I'm a size 3/4 with I think is pretty healthy. Though I am at least 10 pounds from what is considered "ideal" I more look at my waist size to be the real factor. I hope that made sense?

God Bless!

 

[Hiker of faith]

You have to be pretty darn healthy to run 14 miles. There are people out there (probably even people on this forum) that are in excellent shape, excellent health, and still couldn't run 14 miles. If you can do that I wouldn't worry one bit about being 5'7" and 145. How many of your "beanpole" freinds can run 14 miles? You may very well be healthier then they are.