A
female
age
26-29,
anonymous
writes:Hello! Basically I have struggled with my weight throughout most of my life, I have always been a bit chubby even as a child. I got really big when I was about 13/14 but managed to lose about 2 stone and ended up getting rather shapely. I was doing really well with my weight and was happy at the size I was (which was a size 10-12) but then I started this medication which ended up making me put on about two stone. Since then I have been rather un-happy, I have come off the meds now and have lost a little bit of weight but I have gone from 10 stone to about 12. I really want to lose the weight, and I have started diets and stuff but they rarely last. I have gone to the doctors and he has said that I am fit enough to lose weight (by saying that he meant there aren't going to be any health precautions if I lose weight) so now I have got the okay from my doctor I would like to shift this weight. But I kinda need to know how? I know of course you eat healthy foods but I guess I find it really hard to put together healthy yet enjoyable meals so has anyone got any suggestions? I also have a big problem with exercising. I have access to a local gym, and am able to go running if I want to, but i'm really self concious. I have been running once and to the gym a few times and I felt so out of place. I felt like everyone was looking at me and judging me because they were all rather thin and I just wasn't. So are there any good ways I can lose weight from the comfort of my own home? So yeah could you please share any healthy food tips you have? or exercising tips or pretty much anything which could help me shift some of this weight ideally by next year. Also when you are craving something like cake or having a down day, what do you do? What do you focus on which helps you stay on target and away from the junk? P.S also I have to take time into consideration as I don't always have lots of it due to being at college and having exams coming up. Thanks :-)
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (19 March 2014): I also want to add though I was floating between 9.5--10 stones my whole life, and never was considered overweight that by getting older I tend to gain temporarily 5-7 lb when I travel. Reason for it: junk food, Nd I am pretty good of avoiding it when at home. Crisps and fries are a big deal breaker. Caffein in coffe and tea can actually help to curb your appetite, but all these drinks are not just caffein, they are overloaded with sugar that's a real problem. Excersize is always good, but also it's important to realize that mostly your weight depends on what you eat 90%. You can excersize and still be overweight if you don't eat properly, and you can be thin and not excersize if you watch what you eat. One more thing that you can try is separate protein Nd carbs by 3 hours. For example: meat and veggies, or just potatoe and veggies
A
reader, anonymous, writes (19 March 2014): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThankyou all for your help and advice its been super helpful :) My main weakness is most definately soda, things like energy drinks and coca-cola and anything with caffeine in it, I find myself drinking all the time, so I will start buy weaning myself off it. I am not so bad with sugary foods like chocolate and sweets, i'm worse with savory foods such as crisps and cheese and things like that, so I will start by swapping those kinds of foods for healthier alternatives. I'm reallydetermined to do it this time, and i'd like to confirm the diets I have tried in the past have been proper diets, but the reason they haven't worked like WiseOwl said is because sometimes the people I live with such as my mum and nan have ended up having something full in fat for dinner and I do just give in, but thats going to stop now. I will check out all the websites you have sent to me, and i've already learnt a few tips such as drinking lots of water etc. As for the gym, I guess the main reason I stopped going was because the gym I go to is a college gym, so it is used by most of my college, which means a lot of people in there I know which actually makes it worse. Its not the "gym queens" as much, its more the younger guys which intimadate me. They linger around a lot of the girls and sometimes make really offensive comments about women in general, not to mention they look at me weird because i'm not skinny like alot of the other girls, but they stare at me when i'm on the tredmil as I am rather busty and that really bothers me too. I think maybe I could start going if I stopped going at rush hour, the time when everyone goes to the gym is from 4-5, and on some days I finish as early as 12. So I could give it a try. I can't do Zuba classes, as they cost money, and at the sports centre you have to sign up for them and pay a monthly price, which means if you stop going and your signed up for a year, it will keep on taking the money out, and I don't have any money :L The only reason I use the gym is because college students get in for free. Also with jogging, if i erdge myself to get up on the weekends like supper early, I think I could be confident enough to go, as no ones around. So yeah :) Sounds like a plan, thank you all for your help and advice and i'm gonna try my best to do it!
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A
female
reader, Xx-Scorpio-xX +, writes (19 March 2014):
 I've just started Slimming world (I'm in the UK too) and their way of dieting is so easy :) In 2 weeks i've lost half a stone without any exercise and you can pretty much eat anything you want to, just fatty foods and sugary stuff are limited. Seriously, you can eat unlimited pasta, potatoes and rice, meat, fish, eggs and veggies/fruit :) things like low fat super noodles and batchelor brand pasta and sauce and rice are all unlimited too :D their website has tons of great recipes on. The only thing you need to be able to do, is to be willing to cook :) Each day you get 15 'syns' which you can use on restricted foods like crisps, chocolates, pastries and takeaway. A typical chocolate bar is about 12 so i have one a day which helps to keep my sweet cravings at bay :) Lots of people use it on wine and dinner out. Group meetings are really inspiring and you get certificates too. Definately look into them :) My mum's been going too and so far she's lost 4st in total ^_^ I started off on 14.8st (though i don't look that big and am a size 14) and now i'm 14.05 st :) Also anyone of any age can go :) I'm 21 and there are girls in my group who go who are 17ish Message me if you want :)
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female
reader, Tisha-1  +, writes (18 March 2014):
 You can do this!
We don't know your food preferences, so I am not going to give you specific advice there. Look for websites that talk about healthy food swaps, if you are a junk food addict. There are lots of them out there!
Youtube has bucket loads of exercise routines you can do in the privacy of your own home using household items. Find one or two channels you like and subscribe to them. There are also many personal trainers who post exercises you can do at home as well.
The NHS also have a whole section devoted to teens hoping to get fit.
http://www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/weight-loss-guide/Pages/weight-loss-guide.aspx
I know I've answered this type of question several times here and have seen lots of posts. I've taken the liberty of doing a search and will copy/paste some of the results:
http://www.dearcupid.org/question/can-anyone-help-give-me-tips-to-lose.html
http://www.dearcupid.org/question/i-am-curvy-and-i-want-to-lose.html
http://www.dearcupid.org/question/16-year-old-wanting-to-lose-10-20.html
http://www.dearcupid.org/question/im-tired-of-feeling-horrible-also-have-financial.html
http://www.dearcupid.org/question/overweight-and-unhappy.html
http://www.dearcupid.org/question/how-can-i-lose-weight-be-healthier-and.html
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Look for DVDs on at home exercise routines in the charity shops.
Eat less than you normally do. No fried foods.
Cut out sugary drinks.
Drink more water.
Walk more.
Find the exercise or activity that makes you happy. Some people love running. I loathe it, even before I had a hip issue. I love yoga and weight training and walking. I like hiking and cycling too. I use the gym's cycles all the time, bring a book or listen to music with headphones and ignore people.
At my gym, we often have heavier people (relative to me, ha, there are many many slimmer than I am) working out and I promise, I do not look at them and think, "they shouldn't be here!" I think, "good for them!" So don't stay out of the gym because you think people are judging you. That's an excuse.
Oh, and that's my final bit of advice.
No more excuses.
Just do it, as that ad says.
You're asking us for tips, there is nothing stopping you from going to that NHS site and following their tips! Yes, I know you are busy with exams, you had enough time to write this question, you can take the same amount of time and do a search on youtube for workout at home exercises.
You can do this! :)
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male
reader, CMMP +, writes (18 March 2014):
Eating fresh foods is essential. If it comes in a package, you should be weary.
Limit dairy, sugars, salt and grains.
Believe it or not, but you can train yourself to be satisfied with fruit for a treat. People get addicted to sugar, but a banana is very satisfying once you stop eating a bunch of added sugars. Make your own popcorn with very little salt for a snack.
Planning is the key to success. If I plan I eat great, if I don't I'm screwed, so I try and work out everything for the week.
Working out is something you just have to do. At home may work for you, but a gym is usually better for most people. There's more variety and it's easier to schedule. At home you can always do it "later".
I don't think anyone is judging you negatively, if they are who cares? Who are these people to you? They are merely scenery, nothing more.
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A
female
reader, kirra07  +, writes (18 March 2014):
I'm not great with the eating healthy, but I will say that make sure to prepare healthy snacks so that you have those available. That way, when you want to reach for the cookies, you can grab those instead. So chop up some celery, cauliflower, carrots, etc. whatever veggies. And pack them into quick snack packs in the fridge. You can eat them with hummus or a little bit of ranch sauce. Also packs of fruits or bring a banana or apple. The more you fill up on healthy stuff, the less bad snacks you will crave. Cut down on any really unhealthy calorie filled stuff. Like alcohol and pop. Pop is my kryptonite. If I cut that out to once every week or two, that would be a huge achievement. Buy healthier cereal - like kashi instead of frosted flakes.
As for the working out, you can find lots of apps and videos that show you easy stuff to do at home. But if you can, try to go to the gym. I find that just making the effort to go to the gym means that I will actually work out. Being around lots of other people working out motivates me to try hard too. I have difficulty making myself work out at home when I could be lounging on the couch or whatever. Try blasting your favourite music and getting into the zone to distract yourself from the other people. I also agree with the other poster about trying to join classes. They are often fun and you have an instructor pushing and guiding you.
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reader, anonymous, writes (18 March 2014): Diet alone often doesn't help. You need exercise and activity, to go along. If your meals prepared at home are not balanced and nutritious; and eating right isn't a family-effort. It will make your weight-loss program difficult.
I would recommend that you and your mum, or who ever does the cooking, take a health and nutrition cooking class together. So healthy diet becomes part of the lifestyle for the whole family. That doesn't mean everyone will be eating
beansprouts and tofu.
You'll leave out unhealthy fats, sugar, and learn to use healthy and equally-delicious substitutes. You can also buy cookbooks for healthy diet.
Sugar and salt are major ingredients in snacks, soft drinks, and fruit juices. Fruit juices are loaded with corn syrup and sweeteners just as fattening as sugar. If you get drinks that just say "no-added sugar" or artificial sweetners, you'll get the full benefit of natural fruit juices.
Fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and lentils, are easy.
They are in almost everyone's normal diet; only treats and sweets are snacked on more regularly than an apple. So, if dad has his creme-filled snacks on the frig, you'll be tempted. It takes discipline. Not deprivation to successfully lose weight.
Being self-conscious deprives you of access to a workout facility. There are gyms that cater to people uncomfortable around showy gym-rats; who need to intimidate others in order to feel good about themselves. Trust me, those people are just as intimidated as you are. They have little secrets that make them insecure; so they showoff where they know they'll get attention. You have to do your research.
Go online and look for zumba or latin dancercize classes. They are fun and high-energy; but muscle-heads and wannabee beauty-queens don't stand out as much. There are usually several people to a class. Mostly average to chunky who joint; and work their weight away having fun. You can get DVD's that you can workout at home.
If you're the only one eating healthy, while everyone else doesn't; you will feel deprived and temped. They will consume a lot of bad carbohydrates and sugar in-front of you. You will always cave-in and give up. Your efforts in the pass haven't worked; because like most girls your age, you just starve yourself, and read about a lot of fad diets. You get nowhere and end up with an eating disorder.
Your body is growing and changing. Just staying active often boosts your metabolism and helps you to burn calories easier. It's sitting around and feel self-conscious that make you over-eat, and anxiety that will make you starve.
So you really need help from a nutritionist or family practitioner; so you won't suffer dehydration or vitamin deficiencies that may slow your metabolism and healthy body-development. You don't burn calories or keep off the weight, if you have a body-image issues. That's more in your head, than a weight-problem.
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A
male
reader, Gauntlet  +, writes (18 March 2014):
 First, you'd better stop with sweet taste. Switch for salty as salty is much easier to stop than sugar/sweet (which is a regressive feeling/sensation, that bring us back to childhood). When you will have stopped to eat sweet foods, take the habit to eat less salted food, and try eating vegetables (salad don't do it as it is not enough substantial) mostly the ones that contains a lot of fibers to reach easier the satiety state (konjak is perfect for that: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konjac).Then, you can help yourself eating less salt by using "fake salt" that can be found in some stores. You can support yourself with hot chilly sauce too, as it gives taste (to compensate the reduced salt) but don't add calories, moreover it is said to stimulate your metabolism, even leading it to burn more energy.When you will have totally stopped eating sweet foods, and have been accustomed to salted ones that will be more chilly-hot than salted in the end, you will be able to reduce the quantity of it as to reach a normal level.Note: give up today and forever any sodas. Sodas are just concentrated sugar ! If it's hard giving it up right now, you can dilute it with sparkling water during some times, up to the point you will just switch from that diluted sirop to pure sparking mineral water. It will be way better for your health.Bonus: as to help yourself to not lose your motivation, just look at the movie "Super-Size me !" (cf: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Size_Me ) where everything is said (and shown) about fast food. When you have watched it once in your life, you don't want to eat that sort of food anymore, trust me.
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