Trying again to lose weight, urgently need help!!!

1maria100
1maria100 Posts: 5 Member
in Getting Started
So I have struggled with weight all my life... I am currently 18, 5'2" and 172 pounds. I am looking for motivation, people to talk to, workout plans, and help with my goals!!!

I would like to weigh 130 pounds or less, preferably about 120 considering I'm shorter. Does this seem like a decent goal?

Also, I would like to lose 1-2 pounds a week! And I would like to be 155 pounds by Christmas!!! Is this doable? How often do I need to be working out? How much do I need to eat? I am currently shooting for about 1300 a day!

What are the best workouts? I have P90X, will that work?

Thanks so much everyone!

Replies

  • 1princesswarrior
    1princesswarrior Posts: 1,242 Member
    Here are a couple of IMO "must reads" to get you started:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    The key to being successful is to find the right balance for you. I don't know if you'll lose the weight you want by Christmas but any weight loss is a victory. What I've learned over the past 14 months of being serious about weight loss is to not be too stressed about it, there are a lot of ups and downs, don't do anything drastic like cut out entire food groups because it's not sustainable, and find some exercise that you absolutely love.

    Good luck.
  • marissanik
    marissanik Posts: 344 Member
    Here are a couple of IMO "must reads" to get you started:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    The key to being successful is to find the right balance for you. I don't know if you'll lose the weight you want by Christmas but any weight loss is a victory. What I've learned over the past 14 months of being serious about weight loss is to not be too stressed about it, there are a lot of ups and downs, don't do anything drastic like cut out entire food groups because it's not sustainable, and find some exercise that you absolutely love.

    Good luck.

    +1

    Try not to set a time frame. It's a journey, not a destination. If you don't make it by Christmas, that's okay. There's always next Christmas, and the one after that, and that. Find something permanent!
  • thegreatcanook
    thegreatcanook Posts: 2,419 Member
    P90x will help...it's a great program. Feel free to add me!
  • anna_jewel
    anna_jewel Posts: 127 Member
    You can try workout video"s to. I am doing Jillian Michaels, I have her 30 day shred but there is also lots on youtube. Its a great workout with only weights. Feel free to add me.
  • bwogilvie
    bwogilvie Posts: 2,130 Member
    Here are a couple of IMO "must reads" to get you started:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    The key to being successful is to find the right balance for you. I don't know if you'll lose the weight you want by Christmas but any weight loss is a victory. What I've learned over the past 14 months of being serious about weight loss is to not be too stressed about it, there are a lot of ups and downs, don't do anything drastic like cut out entire food groups because it's not sustainable, and find some exercise that you absolutely love.

    Good luck.

    ^ THIS is great advice. I'll just add that I find it easy to go slow. In the first 6 months, I lost about 1.1 pounds a week. In the next 6 months, I averaged 0.7 pounds a week. Since then, my loss has averaged 0.4 pounds a week. By running only a moderate calorie deficit (550/day early on, only about 200/day lately), I've been able to sustain weight loss without feeling too deprived.
  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    Its hard to figure out a final goal when you're just getting started - and that's ok! Just like you don't have to know right NOW exactly what career path you plan to take.

    Aim for 130, if that seems appropriate, and as you lose weight you can adjust that if you think its appropriate. Originally I shot for 150. As I got closer to it I knew I still had a good bit to lose.

    For exercise I do a lot of walking. Walking outside, on the treadmill, running in place while watching tv. Running in place at my desk during the lunch hour while watching something on Netflix or reading something on my Kindle app. (Reading = better success with large font.) I've tried some other machines, but not a big fan of the elliptical or bike. But the key is to find something you like to do. It can be one thing or many - but doing something you enjoy will help with long term results.

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