18 yo. Just starting out, need support and buddies!

aless820
aless820 Posts: 101 Member
in Introduce Yourself
I suppose I'll start with an introduction of myself. I'm 18 years old and am currently a freshman in college. Since I was little I've struggled with my weight. Though never obese, I've always been overweight. From 3years old through 8th grade, I danced, which helped me maintain for the most part. However, after quitting, I steadily went up. Reaching 170 about 3 and a half years ago. After speaking with my doctor, I decided to lose weight for an upcoming vacation, and lost 15 pounds to 155 as an entering high school freshman. However, I fell off track and gained it back. Fast forward 4 years and I'm now hovering around 175-177, which is not where I'd like to be. My weight is balanced throughout my body, not localized anywhere. About a week ago, I started to go to the gym again, and have been working out 5 days a week with 45 mins of cardio, burning about 420+ calories each time. I try and do intervals by changing the resistance. On my two off days I still workout but only for about 20 minutes so that I don't fall our of my routine. Also, on one of those days I have an hour long stretching class offered here at the university's gym. I've cut down most of my snacking, and have been trying to eat much healthier. I'm not a soda drinker, but I do drink the sparkling ice drinks which are calorie, carb, sugar, and fat free. I'm trying to each more chicken, turkey, yogurt, salad, etc.

I would love any suggestions or tips people have for me. Also, any support would be so appreciated! Nobody in my family has been overweight like me except my dad when he was a bit younger, so it's hard to get support from those who don't understand. When should I start doing strength?

My goal right now would be to lose 10 pounds by April 1 and to lose 20 pounds by May 15. I'd like to be leaner and toned by the summer time.
Thanks!
«1

Replies

  • fitnesspal754
    fitnesspal754 Posts: 7
    Oh wow, those are great goals!
  • phyllisbobbitt
    phyllisbobbitt Posts: 347 Member
    :flowerforyou: I have sent you a friend request! together I think we can encourage & support each other!
  • aless820
    aless820 Posts: 101 Member
    Thank you! I'm aiming high but trying to stay reasonable
  • aless820
    aless820 Posts: 101 Member
    Phyllis I think so too! Just looked at your ticker, that's fantastic!! Good for you! You should be so proud of what you've done, and i'm sure you're an inspiration to many, including me!
  • sg2506
    sg2506 Posts: 1 Member
    Hello! Sent you a friend request. I am starting from today with a goal of losing one pound per week.
  • aless820
    aless820 Posts: 101 Member
    @Great, thanks! Good for you!
  • caoimher93
    caoimher93 Posts: 2
    your goal seems pretty do-able. similar to mine best of luck :) also well done on having the motivation to go to the gym can you lend me some of that? :P
  • aless820
    aless820 Posts: 101 Member
    your goal seems pretty do-able. similar to mine best of luck :) also well done on having the motivation to go to the gym can you lend me some of that? :P

    Thanks! Good luck to you too! Just ask yourself WHY you want to lose weight!
  • maggie735337
    maggie735337 Posts: 13
    Hello! I am 18 and just starting out as well.

    If you like dancing, I would suggest trying Zumba for cardio because it is so much fun that you don't even realize you're exercising. And I think a stretch class is a wonderful idea; I always feel so much better after stretching. :)

    As for strength training, I have heard that it is a good idea to do it 2-3 times per week. It's great for burning calories [and it's so cool to be able to lift things easily that were hard to lift before. I think so anyway :) ]

    I think you have set a good goal (about 2lb/week); you'll definitely reach it doing what you are doing. Good luck! :)
  • Sunshine2plus2
    Sunshine2plus2 Posts: 1,492 Member
    Hello and welcome! You got this, good luck!
  • brutalbrie
    brutalbrie Posts: 8
    I sent you a friend request! Hope you don't mind. I am new to this!
  • koleebug
    koleebug Posts: 2
    Im eighteen as well and wanting to lose around the same amount of weight! Lets help each other out :) best of luck with everything! Sounds like you are on the right track. Sending a friend request if ya don't mind:)
  • Snair4
    Snair4 Posts: 8 Member
    Hi! i'm 18 years old as well and have just started college. I was never really fat to begin with, I started off at 127 lbs on Jan.1. Today, I weigh a healthy 115 lbs. I try to work out atleast 5 times a week (cardio), and eat 1200 calories a day (with cheat days of course). I have completely cut out soda and fast food restaurants, but other than that, I eat whatever I want as long as it is under 1200 calories (cereal, cookies, sandwiches, you name it!). Now that I've reached my goal weight, I'm going to start upping my calories and start weight training :)
  • Areyanna_
    Areyanna_ Posts: 6 Member
    Hi! Im Areyanna and im just recently 18. I am a senior in high school. My ultimate goal is to lose weight for the military but ialso want to lose weight for prom and graduation. And to be a heathly young woman. Im short so i have to be at least 138 for the branch im going into so my goal is 135. I am currenlty 170. It would be great to have motivation from people my own age and i would be glad to help out others. PLEASE add and i will add. Thanks
  • almx00
    almx00 Posts: 16 Member
    I'm 18 as well and i started at your current weight 172ish! Im about 150
  • sloth3toes
    sloth3toes Posts: 2,212 Member
    Your goal is quite aggressive for the amount of weight you have to lose. If you find that you're restricting calories too much, add some back, and rework your plan. Good luck !
  • aless820
    aless820 Posts: 101 Member
    Hello! I am 18 and just starting out as well.

    If you like dancing, I would suggest trying Zumba for cardio because it is so much fun that you don't even realize you're exercising. And I think a stretch class is a wonderful idea; I always feel so much better after stretching. :)

    As for strength training, I have heard that it is a good idea to do it 2-3 times per week. It's great for burning calories [and it's so cool to be able to lift things easily that were hard to lift before. I think so anyway :) ]

    I think you have set a good goal (about 2lb/week); you'll definitely reach it doing what you are doing. Good luck! :)
    My friend asked me to do zumba so I may take her up on it! I really need to do something other than the elliptical so I don't get bored. Stretch class was great but my first day was last week and it was a bit painful because it'd been a while! I was sore for about 3-4 days!

    Thanks for the encouragement!
  • aless820
    aless820 Posts: 101 Member
    Hello and welcome! You got this, good luck!

    Thank you! And you as well! You've achieved so much!
  • aless820
    aless820 Posts: 101 Member
    I sent you a friend request! Hope you don't mind. I am new to this!
    Of course not! Accepted :) And I'm new as well!
  • aless820
    aless820 Posts: 101 Member
    Im eighteen as well and wanting to lose around the same amount of weight! Lets help each other out :) best of luck with everything! Sounds like you are on the right track. Sending a friend request if ya don't mind:)
    Oh great! I love finding people around the same age! And similar goals as well! Best of luck to you too! And of course not!
  • aless820
    aless820 Posts: 101 Member
    Hi! i'm 18 years old as well and have just started college. I was never really fat to begin with, I started off at 127 lbs on Jan.1. Today, I weigh a healthy 115 lbs. I try to work out atleast 5 times a week (cardio), and eat 1200 calories a day (with cheat days of course). I have completely cut out soda and fast food restaurants, but other than that, I eat whatever I want as long as it is under 1200 calories (cereal, cookies, sandwiches, you name it!). Now that I've reached my goal weight, I'm going to start upping my calories and start weight training :)
    Great for you! You sound so healthy now! You should feel proud of your accomplishments!
  • aless820
    aless820 Posts: 101 Member
    I'm 18 as well and i started at your current weight 172ish! Im about 150
    That's fantastic! I can't wait to get to that weight! A long way to go but so worth it! Good for you!
  • aless820
    aless820 Posts: 101 Member
    Your goal is quite aggressive for the amount of weight you have to lose. If you find that you're restricting calories too much, add some back, and rework your plan. Good luck !
    I want to push myself enough so that I'll feel bad about myself if I don't meet my goals. If I don't push myself, I'll fall off from it, and that's certainly not good!
  • Lizzymk
    Lizzymk Posts: 7 Member
    I'm 18 also and will be attending college this coming Fall, sent you a friend's request :).
  • aless820
    aless820 Posts: 101 Member
    I'm 18 also and will be attending college this coming Fall, sent you a friend's request :).

    great!!
  • sloth3toes
    sloth3toes Posts: 2,212 Member
    Your goal is quite aggressive for the amount of weight you have to lose. If you find that you're restricting calories too much, add some back, and rework your plan. Good luck !
    I want to push myself enough so that I'll feel bad about myself if I don't meet my goals. If I don't push myself, I'll fall off from it, and that's certainly not good!

    Pushing yourself is great.... but if you push yourself too hard, and don't meet your goals, and feel bad enough about yourself, you're likely to give up. It's extremely common. I'm just sayin'....

    s-JON-STEWART-large.jpg

    There's nothing wrong with having a fall-back plan. If you're restricting close to 1,000 calories / day to lose almost 2 lbs per week... and it gets too tough... just rework your goals.
  • shaneanigans1
    shaneanigans1 Posts: 38
    just sent a friend request!! I am also a 16 year old natural bodybuilder, I just started up my own bodybuilding channel on youtube, ill be making videos giving advise on diet and training, motivational videos, workout videos that are both edited and raw footage, honest and unbiased reviews on supplements, etc. in the near future, if you have a youtube channel you should subscribe to me to show your support, it would mean a lot to me if you did! :)http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCteluW7hZ-eddCJ5ckf0Lcg
  • byarbrough1116
    byarbrough1116 Posts: 5
    I commend you for getting on track now, while you're still young. I was 170 when I was your age and didn't fix it.. fast forward 11 years later and a baby...it's out of control. stay on top of it and don't let yourself get out of control like I did. I regret it so much. You can do it! good luck!
  • a_stronger_me13
    a_stronger_me13 Posts: 812 Member
    1) When should I start doing strength training? Yesterday. There is no set weight which is appropriate for strength training. While in a deficit, some form of resistance training, like weight lifting, helps with retaining muscle as you lose weight. Contrary to what some people may tell you, when you lose weight you are losing both muscle and fat. You can minimize the muscle lost with a good strength training program and eating adequate protein.

    2) My goal right now would be to lose 10 pounds by April 1 and to lose 20 pounds by May 15. I'd like to be leaner and toned by the summer time. The calorie deficit required to lose 10lbs in 5 weeks is fairly aggressive and you can potentially burn out from losing so quickly. Not to mention, aggressive calorie deficits don't do anything to help retain lean body mass like I mentioned above. You're probably better off shooting for 1lb per week or 500 calories per day deficit for multiple reasons including better end results because of LBM retention, i.e. "leaner and toned"

    Check out this link and follow its advice: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Edited for grammar and spelling.
  • Cranquistador
    Cranquistador Posts: 39,744 Member
    1) When should I start doing strength training? Yesterday. There is no set weight which is appropriate for strength training. While in a deficit, some form of resistance training, like weight lifting, helps with retaining muscle as you lose weight. Contrary to what some people may tell you, when you lose weight you are losing both muscle and fat. You can minimize the muscle lost with a good strength training program and eating adequate protein.

    2) My goal right now would be to lose 10 pounds by April 1 and to lose 20 pounds by May 15. I'd like to be leaner and toned by the summer time. The calorie deficit required to lose 10lbs in 5 weeks is fairly aggressive and you can potentially burn out from losing so quickly. Not to mention, aggressive calorie deficits don't do anything to help retain lean body mass like I mentioned above. You're probably better off shooting for 1lb per week or 500 calories per day deficit for multiple reasons including better end results because of LBM retention, i.e. "leaner and toned"

    Check out this link and follow its advice: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Edited for grammar and spelling.
    ^this

    It's more about how you LOOK than the number on the scale...give up some of those cardio sessions and pick up a barbell. I wish I did when I was your age.

Categories