First and last 15lbs to lose! Help!

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peechybabe
peechybabe Posts: 7 Member
in Getting Started
Hi everyone,
I have joined this site for perhaps some motivation and help!

I am a 21 yr old female, I'm 5'10.5 and roughly 170lbs. I am looking to lose 15 pounds. I don't have much to lose, I'm basically looking to tone up, slim down and live a healthier life. It seems that I have tried and failed many diets along with going to the gym. I tend to give up before I see results. Part of my experience at the gym is lack of knowledge as to how I should be working out-how much to lift and how often. As for diets, I love giving into cravings. Despite all of this I want to change so I can finally be confident in my own skin!
I was wondering if someone could help give me some advice to kick start my weight loss efforts! *keeping in mind I don't know where to start...should I join a gym?

Replies

  • JennK730
    JennK730 Posts: 62 Member
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    Hi I am Jenn looking to lose 20lbs. Need support and motivation.
  • echoslug
    echoslug Posts: 73 Member
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    Sounds just like me. 22, 5'8" and I'm down to my last 5 lbs from my initial 15. Mostly just want feel athletic again. Late nights, a busy scheduled and too much junk food got me into some bad habits in college. Not to mention that sugar habit I'm working to get back under control.

    Feel free to friend me!
  • Sarah4fitness
    Sarah4fitness Posts: 437 Member
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    It sounds like you need two things.
    One, you need to consult with a trainer in person to learn how to properly use weights at a gym. It's worth it to get results. If you don't have the money to do that, check out the training videos at bodybuilding.com. It's a huge free resource that will show you the proper form for literally hundreds of weight exercises. You can also find plans and programs on that website which will help you with your goals.

    You do not necessarily need to lose pounds, from your stats. What you need is to add muscle, which will help you burn fat. Adding muscle is what creates the "toned" look you crave, not just dropping pounds from your frame.

    Two, you sound like you would really do well on a Macros plan. It's flexible dieting, where you learn what amount of macronutrients you need each day in order to drop fat (those macros are fats, carbs, and proteins). MFP helps with tracking those, but you need to find your individual needs before embarking onto a plan. Best part is, you can eat ANYTHING in moderation, and adjust the rest of your macro intake that day to allow for it. Eliminates the "guilt" or association of certain foods as "bad", which is in and of itself absurd. Some foods have more dense nutrition profiles, some have less, it's all about learning what works best for your body and mind.
  • lfabbric
    lfabbric Posts: 17 Member
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    You do not necessarily need to lose pounds, from your stats. What you need is to add muscle, which will help you burn fat. Adding muscle is what creates the "toned" look you crave, not just dropping pounds from your frame.

    +1
  • peechybabe
    peechybabe Posts: 7 Member
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    Great, thank you for the quick response. Correct me if I'm wrong, but will I become bulky if I lift weights? How much weight should I be lifting and how often? - machines or free weights? Thx :)
  • echoslug
    echoslug Posts: 73 Member
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    Great, thank you for the quick response. Correct me if I'm wrong, but will I become bulky if I lift weights? How much weight should I be lifting and how often? - machines or free weights? Thx :)

    Absolutely not. You'll actually lean down and get toned with the added benefit that lifting weight help you maintain bone density later in life.

    There's a couple different ideas about how much weight to start with. Some people think you should lift enough weight that you can do 3 reps and no more others say enough that you can only do one rep and other people have entirely different opinions. Usually if you join a gym you can ask a trainer there to help you get started with weights. Not only will they help you pick the right weight but they'll make sure your form is correct so you don't hurt yourself.

    I personally like free weights and recommend them over machines.
  • Sarah4fitness
    Sarah4fitness Posts: 437 Member
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    Great, thank you for the quick response. Correct me if I'm wrong, but will I become bulky if I lift weights? How much weight should I be lifting and how often? - machines or free weights? Thx :)

    Absolutely not. You'll actually lean down and get toned with the added benefit that lifting weight help you maintain bone density later in life.
    I personally like free weights and recommend them over machines.

    +1
    If you are beginning a weight training routine, talk to a certified personal trainer. ISSA or NASM are two of the most well regarded certifications, so ask the trainer what their cert is. Then get a guided plan for weight lifting.

    Every plan I have ever done includes lifting as much weight as you can, with proper form, for 8-12 reps, and the number of sets varies. Some people do 6 reps with more sets. The mentality "oh, I'll lift a light weight for 15+ reps cuz I want to tone, not bulk" is ignorant and incorrect. "Toning" is a misnomer. To appear toned, you must have muscle. Then, bodyfat around the muscle must be reduced. That's a "toned" appearance.

    WEIGHTLIFTING will not make you big and bulky. Females do not put on enough muscle in a YEAR even under optimum conditions to become "big and bulky". Those female bodybuilders that spark this question have spent YEARS upon YEARS of honed training, honed dieting, and often using artificial products to make their bodies so well muscled. If that's not your aesthetic, don't worry. Lifting heavy cannot transform you like that. It will make you smaller, tighter, and toned, the way you imagine you want to look.
  • LTKeegan
    LTKeegan Posts: 354 Member
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    Also, you certainly wont bulk on a deficit.
  • mmcdonald700
    mmcdonald700 Posts: 116 Member
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    Agree with what everyone on here said! Also my stats are very similar.. 21 years old 5'10.5", currently 164 lbs but I was consistently 175-183 for about two years until I decided to give this an honest effort. I would like to lose about 15 more lbs (ideally fat, not muscle) and "tone up" as well. So far I've just dropped some weight by eating at a deficit and doing cardio and a bit of strength training but since I'm now at the point where I'd like to do more lifting to maintain my muscle mass I might up my calories and visit a personal trainer at my school gym! Feel free to add me as a friend :) I am at least as big of a noob when it comes to lifting and strength training as you are!
  • SouthernMommy11
    SouthernMommy11 Posts: 74
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    You will not be bulky if you lift weights unless you do it to excess! If its fat you want to lose then cardio is a great place to start! I'd be glad to help you get a diet or work out plan! Feel free to friend me
  • LTKeegan
    LTKeegan Posts: 354 Member
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    Also, if you want support lifting, I've been doing it for 2 years, and I'm happy to be supportive :)


    If you don't believe you won't bulk up, this is a photo of me this summer (before I decided to drop the last 15lbs) but after lifting heavy for 1.5 years:

    fv9tet.jpg
  • peechybabe
    peechybabe Posts: 7 Member
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    Thanks guys!
  • peechybabe
    peechybabe Posts: 7 Member
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    You will not be bulky if you lift weights unless you do it to excess! If its fat you want to lose then cardio is a great place to start! I'd be glad to help you get a diet or work out plan! Feel free to friend me

    I have done plenty of cardio in the past...it has help me lose a few inches, however I was still left with the feeling of being "jiggly". :( Perhaps I was doing too little? (45mins 4-5x a week)
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
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    Set your weight loss goal to lose half a pound a week. Lift heavy. Eat whatever you want but get enough protein ~100 grams a day.
  • ajlocke
    ajlocke Posts: 6
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    If you are looking to tone and learn how to properly do weights a great place I tell my friends to start is at a gym with a BodyPump class. I do not like the one on one trainer concept but I love to be told what to do on days I am not motivated enough on my own. They have these classes at Gold's Gym...not sure about where else but I am a big fan. I agree with the others that you don't likely need to lose pounds.
  • LTKeegan
    LTKeegan Posts: 354 Member
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    You will not be bulky if you lift weights unless you do it to excess! If its fat you want to lose then cardio is a great place to start! I'd be glad to help you get a diet or work out plan! Feel free to friend me

    I have done plenty of cardio in the past...it has help me lose a few inches, however I was still left with the feeling of being "jiggly". :( Perhaps I was doing too little? (45mins 4-5x a week)

    The best way to lose the jiggle is to build muscle (by lifting). I find it really inspiring to go to a gym with a TON of strong, beautiful women who motivate me to lift heavier. So find a gym that isn't a sausage fest and start picking up heavy bars!!

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