When should I start going to the gym ?

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champion818
champion818 Posts: 65 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello everyone , I’m currently on a life style change ( not the first but hopefully the last ) . I am 19 years old , my measurements are 5’9 and I weigh 280 pounds . So far I have lost 12 pounds in 2 weeks . Not sure how much is just water weight but I have been eating around 1,300 everyday , so I know some of it is actual fat . Now down to my question , I was wondering when would be the best time to start going to the gym ? I don’t want to over whelm myself by doing so much change at once and putting me off from the whole life style change . Would it be best to just stick to calorie counting for a couple months ( 3 months or so ) and see how it works for me , loose some more weight ... I was thinking 20 more pounds and then working out at the gym . I just need to get my eating under control , because I feel like going to the gym will help but my main issue that has led to me 292 ( at my highest ) is my eating habits ! Let me know you guys ! All advice is helpful thanks :)

Replies

  • RachelElser
    RachelElser Posts: 1,049 Member
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    NOW! Go now, start off slow- once a week while working on your eating habits. I think it's easier to go to the gym when it's a little commitment. Then once you get into the swing of it, it gets easier to add more days.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,565 Member
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    You don’t have to work out to lose weight. However, you will likely feel a lot better and do some good for your body the moment you start.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,442 Member
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    I personally would go now.

    But baby steps are what make for successful weight loss, so if you need to get your diet in line before adding another thing, feel free to do that. Once you feel like you have a handle on diet, then add another thing, like the gym.
  • jennydelgado09
    jennydelgado09 Posts: 119 Member
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    Anytime is a good time. Or find a workout program that you would like. Like body pump,zumba, crossfit, etc. It was hard for me to start going to the gym because I had no idea what I was doing. So I'd go to classes. And then eventually started crossfit and been doing that for 3 years now.
  • jbee27
    jbee27 Posts: 356 Member
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    One of the most helpful things I read when I was trying to start exercising was "stop trying to find something perfect, and just find something".

    I went on walks a lot, then I tried zumba, hated it, but it was a good calorie burn. Did C25k, loved it through the summer/fall, but lived in Wisconsin and cannot tolerate running outside in the winter. Fell in love with yoga, but then I moved away and haven't found a studio that's convenient that I love. I'm now at a studio gym with spinning and circuit weights class and I'm really loving it.

    Find something you like, if it isn't for you, find something else! Also remember that you'll feel silly (I still do sometimes!), but people are on the whole more supportive than jerks. :-)
  • maura_tasi
    maura_tasi Posts: 196 Member
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    I would start to ease into it now! Just small 30 minute workouts here and there to get yourself started (: take the time to explore the gym and the classes offered to find out what you love! Then it won't even feel like work. Once you feel more confident then you can increase the time and intensity of your workouts. Remember some and slow movement is better than no movement!
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
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    From a health standpoint, you should go now. Having said that, I did not start going until I had lost a lot of weight and was already into running. I regret not going sooner, but I'm hard pressed to think of what gym life would have been like at 330 pounds (which I was).

    I think you should start slow and build up a bit of cardio first. Just be sure you can walk a decent time (30 mins) before joining a gym. 2-3 months to get you eating under control and doing some non-gym stuff doesn't seem out of line. I was a year before I stepped into a gym (but beat the *kitten* out of my own treadmill first).

    I regret not going sooner. One of the things you have right now is a fair amount of muscle. You need it to carry 280 lbs. As you lose weight, you will lose muscle as you won't need it anymore. Then you will find you want more muscle and will want to start working out to gain back some of what you have lost. By starting in the gym sooner, you will keep more of the muscle, be more focused on fat loss (vs. just weight loss) and will look better sooner.

    One thing to realize when you do go to the gym. People zone out and don't really notice what is going on around them. So I know I can be looking in someone's direction and not even know it. So if you think people are staring at you, they most likely are sitting between reps and thinking about something completely irrelevant. But, while they may notice you, they are more concerned with what they are doing than what is anyone else is doing.
  • bebeisfit
    bebeisfit Posts: 951 Member
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    Now! But start slow, I'm a believer in consistency over time. So, start slow, but start now and do it nearly every day. That doesn't mean you need to go to the gym every day, you need to move every day. Start walking around the block or on the treadmill for 5 or 10 minutes for a few weeks then increase gradually. Make movement your priority in little ways - get off the bus one stop before your normal one. Park one block further, or go up and down the steps a few times a day, dance in your kitchen - anything that gets you moving. Slow and steady wins the race. Your body will thank you and you likely won't be super sore.

    In addition, you'll need to build muscle as well. Do some research and try a few movements at home - squats, lunges, modified push-ups, planks. Video yourself and make sure you have proper form. It's ok to only do a few reps and again, increase slowly. If you go and do an hour of lifting or crossfit, your body will be crying!

    You didn't ask, but I'm going to suggest you up your calories. 1300 is not a lot and as you said, you want to do this for the long haul. Plug in your stats into MFP and use a 1/2 lb or only 1lb loss goal. You will lose weight.

    Good luck! we're rooting for you!
  • busyPK
    busyPK Posts: 3,788 Member
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    If I were you I'd start going now. Or at least get in some walking outside. Working out actually helps me stay focus on eating within my calories and makes me simply feel good.
  • MelanieCN77
    MelanieCN77 Posts: 4,047 Member
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    Just get started, it's a sure fire route to feeling better no matter what the scale says regardless of immediate gains. Also those cals seem really low - at 5'5 and 180 MFP was recommending me in the 1700 cal range at 2lbs per week when I started. Sustainable is key, so you might want to up those some as well as make sure to eat back a good portion of workout cals. Especially if you do weights, be mindful of how much more hungry you might get and be prepared.
  • nowine4me
    nowine4me Posts: 3,985 Member
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    malibu927 wrote: »
    You don’t have to work out to lose weight. However, you will likely feel a lot better and do some good for your body the moment you start.

    You don't have to work out to lose weight AND you don't have to go to a gym to workout. Lot's of great options in home or outdoors. But yes, start a little something now and build up over time.
  • RunStart34
    RunStart34 Posts: 157 Member
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    Start slow but go to gym if you can. There will be times when you can't go but if there is time in your schedule why not. You exercise and keep you busy so you won't fall back. Plus you lose faster when you have a good diet and exercise.

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