Help/Advice/Anything!

Ann1ka87
Ann1ka87 Posts: 12 Member
edited December 16 in Introduce Yourself
Hey!

I joined MFP back in January sometime and only used it for the past couple of months just to track everything I ate and any exercise I do and I have found it pretty useful. It has seemed like a slow process but I have lost 11lbs so far. (Still, I'd rather it be slow and keep it off because of do-able lifestyle changes than be able to say I've lost 2 stone thats gna go straight back on, and then some as soon as I go back to living normally).
I hadnt actually noticed the community side of things until the last week so I thought I would introduce myself to it.
I am quite new to the whole trying to lose weight and get fitter and healthier style of life so I have alot of questions and am looking for alot of help and advice as I dont really know anyone that is or has gone through it so I have no idea where to start. I always used to be a size 10 (UK) and about 10stone until I quite smoking and started eating (I used to have abit of a no eating issue)

So far I have tried to eat more, inc fruit and veg, cut out some of the fast food crap I was eating due to always being on the road before and drink more water (a word that didnt exist in my previous lifestyle habits... unless hungover) and that has helped me get rid of the first 11lbs.

Its where to go from here that I am unsure of.

Exercise:
I work alot (approx 70-80 hours a week atm) so finding time to exercise seems a little daunting to me but I am determined to do it! I just need some advise on where to start. My job is mainly office work, and when it's not sitting at a desk it's standing at a door (with a small amount of lugging equipment about). Because of the hours I work (and my financial situation) the gym is out the question, early morning are a struggle and the rest of the time I am tired.
I am hoping to try and start cycling and jogging but no idea how to start. Or what the best things to wear are. Or when/what time of day to try it. Or how to get/stay motivated


Food:
Trying to work in regular and healthy meals has so far lasted no more than about 2 days at a time. However... I've never really been a big eater so on average my calories per day is nearer the 800-900calories mark. Even with the fast food though that has been my average intake for about 5 years.
I'm more of a snacker than a meal eater - which I would like to get out of the habit of but I dont know what I am aiming for when I do eat. What foods are good to try and eat regularly, what to avoid, what makes you feel fuller, etc. Or if I do feel the need to snack which I generally do in the evening, whats best to go for.
Plus I have read people talking about starvation mode which I have no idea what it is, if I am likely to be in it due to the amount I eat, how to get out of it if I am in it bearing in mind how long my eating habits have been this way. I have read that "eat more calories" is a favourite but I don't want to put on more weight by eating more just to then attempt to lose that.

Any advice/help/anything would be great.

As I said I am very new to this so anything would be helpful, if there are any links to previous threads etc that would help, also helpful.

Thanks

Replies

  • cherryolac
    cherryolac Posts: 34
    Its a very diffiucult challenge loosing weight...I'd say add more exercise (trust me I get the long work week and not having energy after work). If you are having a hard time working out after work, try getting up before work...I find that I have more energy and am in a better mood as well as more focused when I get up(I work 6a-6p and get up anywhere between 3a-330a to acheive this). Also 800-900 cals a day is not enough, you will slow your metabolism way down thus putting you at a stand still or even gain. Id also recommend eating small but more frequent meals (this will increase metabolism). Good luck!
  • lmnosser
    lmnosser Posts: 43
    Since you're at work so much and not eating big meals, you could try walking outside during your lunch break. I do little things like that on days i know i won't make it to the gym.
  • tdmcmains
    tdmcmains Posts: 227 Member
    Someone said to me once that the best exercise is the one you'll do. For me, that's those workout DVDs like Jillian Michael's and stuff. She has some (ripped in 30, 30-day shred) that are short, 20 minute workouts and pretty good. That might be good for when you feel tired... you can probably manage 20 minutes before collapsing, right?! ;)
    Also like the idea of walking in the middle of the workday.

    For eating... I never really changed my eating habits because we always ate pretty healthy stuff. We cook pretty much every meal and eat out basically never. I'm not saying that's an awesome answer for everyone... but to me just eating real food and not packaged lean cuisine crap has been... good. I like food. ;)

    Sounds like you probably could stand to eat more but i'm not sure you NEED to have regular meals as opposed to lots of snacks as long as those snacks aren't junk. Do whatever works for you! I think if you're eating a good amount of real food and getting SOME kind of exercise, who cares if you do things the same as everyone else... just make changes you can stick with. Good luck!!
  • morganadk2_deleted
    morganadk2_deleted Posts: 1,696 Member
    Here is a guide for setting weekly deficits, and on top of this when you workout you should eat those calories back. So if you are on 1200 cals and burn 300, you should eat 1500 for the day.

    If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal,
    If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal,
    If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal,
    If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal, and
    If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal.
  • jenseye
    jenseye Posts: 166 Member
    I started by walking during my lunch hour...40 minutes or so and then eat after that (I bring my lunch to work). Whenever I could I'd add another 30 or 45 minutes at night. What really helped though was I started getting up early and exercising to DVD's at home, and trust me I am NOT a get up early kind of person, but I pushed myself and got in 45 or 60 minutes. It really gave me a huge burst of energy to get through the day!
    Good luck and know you can do it!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories