Brand new to losing weight, Advice would be great!

Ryan4698

Hey everyone, just recently joined and now I decided to switch from the fitness thread, to the getting started thread to ask a few questions about my diet and work out routine. I'm brand new to dieting and i'm having a fairly hard time trying to keep my calories in order. I'm always eating much less then what I should be eating for some odd reason now. When I was still eating like a pig, I was eating about 3000 calories a day, when I started the diet I was barely getting past 1,000 calories, now I'm up to around 1,900 calories but it seems like eating that much won't allow me to lose weight... i'm drinking tons of water (at least 7, 16.9 fl oz bottles a day). I'm also going to the gym 5 days a week and i'm trying to figure out what else I could do to make this diet work to its maximum capabilities. In case any information is needed, I'm currently 250.6 pounds, 6' 0", and plan on losing 2 lb + a week. So far, my diet has consisted of multiple vegetables (Tomatoes, lettuce, mushrooms, peas, green beans, etc..etc..) Multiple fruits (banana, apple, orange, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries etc..etc..) whole grain bread (for sandwiches) Whole grain pasta, light yogurt, fat free milk, lean meats (Wild salmon, Wild Cod, lean beef, chicken etc..etc...) and many other different things. The only time I eat the whole wheat bread is for my sandwich which I eat for lunch (whole wheat toast, low fat low sodium lunch meat, almond cheese, lettuce). So besides the diet, i'm also trying to get my work out routine down as well. I'm not entirely sure how to start although I have already been going to the gym 5 days a week. I do cardio, and weight lifting. I'm just trying to figure out when I should work certain muscles, how often, and reps/sets. What I have been doing every day is cardio, and then just switching my muscle groups. I do arms and all upper body Monday, Legs and lower body Tuesday, and alternate like that. When lifting weights I usually do 3 sets, and start with 12 on lower weight, 8 on heavier, and then 6 on even heavier ones. Keep in mind most of my "weight lifting" is on machines and not free weights. Should I work specific muscle groups every day of the week and is my reps/sets ok? Any advice would be great and I hope on getting this diet maxed soon and my routine together! Thanks - Ryan

P.S. - Sorry for all the questions, i'm brand new to this and i'm trying to get going the best I can!

tribe216

My advice to you would be to start with figuring out a your food/diet for a few to several weeks, basically until you feel like you got a handle on a diet that works for you, and then introduce a workout routine. Trying to do it all at once could become frustrating and overwhelming.

As for your diet, just start by logging your food and after a few days to a week, review things and you will probalby start to notice where you are doing good and where you need to improve. Personally I like to eat a big, high protein breakfast, medium sized lunch, then small balanced dinner (usually chicken & a veggie or rice), and maybe a snack in the afternoon and evening if I feel hungry. Plan out your meals ahead of time, and portion up what you can. That way it's a no brainer when you go to eat and it's easier and less complicated come mid-week when you are tired and don't want to cook or are too busy. The more you cook and make yourself the better you will start to feel. Fast food and prepackaged meals and food, while convenient from time to time, can hinder weight loss if eaten on the regular.

I'm not a workout expert, but just starting with walking is probalby a good way to go. 30 minutes a day a few days a week, can make a world of difference. Try some different classes if you have those available to you, or DVDs. I love zumba and have a set of DVDs that have a copule different workouts. The biggest loser has some good DVDs too. Just try everything you are able until you find what you like, then mix it up.

You are making a lifestyle chage, so it will take time. Just be patient, and try new things until you find what works for you. Set small goals for yourself... like 5%-10% weight loss at a time and reward yourself as you hit those goals. Hope this helps! Good luck!