Advice

jeffm3594 · August 2017

Hey guys I’m shaking just typing this down but I want to lose weight I’m pretty sure the majority here does too. I live in New York and I’m 18 years old, and I have been overweight ever since I can remember and at a young age I didn’t care about what I looked like . I’m going to enter college in a week and I can’t stay committed to going to the gym and losing weight. Currently I weight 220 pounds and am considered obese. I’m at the age where you know I want a partner to feel loved and all but my body is a big obstacle. In school I was afraid of public speaking but not because I thought people would think negative of what I had to say but more towards them looking at my body . I shy myself from speaking or just writing something at the board because of my body . Clothes don’t fit me and it hurts you know? I have more to say but this is all I can think of right now.

usmcmp · August 2017

First of all, love comes in all shapes and sizes. You need to learn to love yourself because there are incredible people out there who will not see your body as an obstacle. How you feel about yourself is a larger obstacle than what you weight.

Second, you're here on this site because you do think you can stay committed to losing weight, even if you don't realize it yet. Weight loss comes from the amount of calories you eat compared to the amount of calories your body needs to keep you alive. You do not have to exercise to lose weight. Exercise comes with lots of other benefits along with increasing the amount of calories your body burns in a day. Find an exercise you enjoy doing and you'll stick to it. You don't have to run or lift weights or do any other specific exercise at this point and will only need to do specific exercises if you start setting goals that require it (like running a race or looking toned).

Keep in mind that the diet and weight loss industry are willing to sell you all sorts of crap that doesn't work. Nothing on a store shelf or sold by a friend is going to be the magic bullet. No specific eating pattern or diet plan is superior, except for the one that you can stick to. That's what it all comes down to, finding something you can stick to long term that helps keep your calories in check.

You can do this.

jeffm3594 · August 2017

Thank you so much

lalepepper · August 2017

Best of luck to you! I am 27, grew up in NY and went to SUNY Stony Brook. I struggled with my weight throughout MS, HS, and started to learn how to control it in college. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of the increased opportunities for activity/gym membership you might already have from your school. I discovered a love for hiking and biking in school despite still struggling with my weight, and I met my husband 8 years ago at my highest ever weight, and he has loved me at 295 and 195. Focus on loving and caring for yourself - the right activities and people will come!

JeromeBarry1 · August 2017

First, don't drink your calories. You're in school to learn, and alcohol makes you stupid.
Second, use the myfitnesspal food diary as a tool where you spend a week or 2 weeks simply recording the things you ate. It doesn't even have to be precisely weighed at this stage. You need to know what you are eating so that you can know what to change. Once you know that second helpings and extra meals are part of staying obese, you can decide which helpings to avoid and which meals to skip.

When you learn to focus your eating on foods that provide satiety and nutrition, you will lose weight.

jgnatca · August 2017

College has counselling services and support groups of various kinds. It would help if you get to talk to people going through the same struggles you are. It will help you also feel less alone.

Good news, you don't have to gym to lose weight. Running between classes will get you exercise every day anyways.

I suggest you invest in a food scale and get used to weighing and logging your food. Just knowing how many calories you consume in a day can be an eye opener.

jeffm3594 · August 2017

Thanks guys honestly all the support is awesome

kokonani · August 2017

It's fantastic that you are determined to start this weight loss journey! It's all about a lifestyle change- but there will be bumps in the road. Don't let that discourage you, we are all human. Keep it simple for yourself, be persistent, and you will reach your goal in no time!

BeYouTiful94 · August 2017

I like what's already been said. Start by getting a food scale and logging what you currently eat. It'll create a good habit for later, and allow you to see what you're currently doing and learn a lot from it. Plus, it starts the process with just a step into the pool, not diving into the deep end. Once you get into logging, try making small adjustments here and there. Like "do I eat 700 grams of pasta because I'm actually that hungry, or because it just looked like one serving when I poured it?". Or, "I didn't really realize that large sprite was 750 calories. Maybe next time I'll just get a small". Stuff like that. Also try to look for patterns of what keeps you fuller longer, and work towards creating a deficit. The deficit is what you need to lose weight (calories in should be less than calories out). As for the gym, you don't have to go

It's more for the "calories out" portion, which gives people more room in their calorie budget.

My biggest advice is not to make drastic changes and not to cut out everything you love. Baby steps is good, and everything is okay in moderation. Wishing you the best of luck!

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