Could I lose weight by the summer?
inspector drake
Posts: 910 Forum Member
✭✭
I'm seventeen years of age, not unhealthily fat, but I have a bit of flab and man boobs which I want to be rid of. Nowadays the majority of what I eat for dinner is boiled mixed vegetables (baby carrots/peas/sweetcorn mixtures) with either grilled chicken, home-made grilled sausages, or grilled fish. I'm still not quite sure what would be an ideal breakfast or lunch for this sort of diet, though I heard something about almond/banana porridge.
I engage in moderate exercise, doing five sets of ten press-ups every morning, as well as jogging on the spot for six minutes. I also attend weekly boxing/fitness classes.
I'm something of strength fanatic, so the plan is that when I lose enough weight, I'll start working on my physical strength.
But the question is, is all this enough?
I engage in moderate exercise, doing five sets of ten press-ups every morning, as well as jogging on the spot for six minutes. I also attend weekly boxing/fitness classes.
I'm something of strength fanatic, so the plan is that when I lose enough weight, I'll start working on my physical strength.
But the question is, is all this enough?
0
Comments
Why not start working on your physical strength now? Even if it's just to preserve muscle as you are dieting.
Best thing to do is read up on calorie deficits, which is the thing you need to lose weight, find your daily calories you use (there are calculators online) and go from there. You say you don't have much to lose so just eating sensibly and doing exercise will probably be enough. I do echo the post above though about jogging outside though
By reducing calories by 500 a day you can lose 1lb a week.
Keeping active can aim to lose 1-2lbs a week which is sensible.
Also watch amount of cokes/ sprites etc you drink as it increases appetite so cut down on that and drink water or fruit juice instead.
I freaking love that website.
I never know whether I can mention it on here with it partly being another forum and all (but what the hell, the forums there are brilliant and an absolute godsend for anyone who is clueless about diet and exercise).
So yes, you can lose weight for summer. You've already made appropriate adjustments to your diet, as for breakfast, porridge, eggs etc will be fine.
Exercise wise, you say you're doing weekly classes so maybe throw in some walking or running & weights. Build a bit of muscle & it'll help boost your metabolism which in turn will burn extra calories throughout the day.
Eat less, move more & you're sorted
You absolutely do not need a gym membership to improve fitness/ lose weight
Edit, oh I realised you are on about strength training. Well there's a lot of people into such things on here I am sure they will advise.
Incidentally, another reason why I'm not working on my physical strength at the moment is because as far as I heard, hardcore strength training usually requires you to put in more calories than you use up, whereas weight loss requires you to use up more than you put in.
That is true in as much as you won't gain muscle in a calorie deficit, but is no reason why you can't maintain what you have.
You can still get strong on a kcal deficit though
Thanks for that, it's something I wondered recently (having just started with some heavier weights in my exercise regime). I don't expect or want to gain muscle as I'm on quite a deficit but should I be seeing a definite increase in strength over time?
(Sorry for the thread hijack OP)
In fact, it's very useful. Finding out how to gain strength (I'm not really bothered about muscle. I just want that physical strength) while losing those moobs and flab is great.
Yes you should see increases overtime. Lots of sportsmen/women such as boxers, olympic lifters, power lifters, strongmen etc wihere there are weight classes, will cut weight before their competition, but still remain strong.
I am on a vegan diet at the moment, so my kcals are much less than before. Even though I have lost a bit of weight, my lifts in the gym are still progressing (although I do think I have lost a bit of stamina and recovery takes a little longer).
Yes for sure. You may not progress as quick, but for a young lad aged 17 with lots of testosterone....you're in your prime! Work on your technique, keep the reps low and heavy and concentrate on the main compound movements.
With WW and with others the key to losing weight is 1, not to think of it as a "diet" but more long term healthy living. Yes you will need to reduce the amounts of fatty foods but you don't need to exclude them completely, it's about moderation. 2, everything is written down, it's amazing how much one eats and written down it's a real eye opener. You have a good idea of what you need to eat and I'm not suggesting you are eating too much but doing a food diary will help you out greatly. There are free apps (my fitness pal was suggested) yo help you and they also save exercise on there so your get a great idea of food and exercise in take.
It's good that you are starting now so that you can lose it gradually. I have 3 stone to lose and the only way I can do it is slowly and gradually not crash dieting.
I can recommend swimming if you can do it. It's very good for toning your whole body, especially if you do more than one stroke. If you go regularly and swim seriously you will definitely see an improvement by the summer, especially in your upper body.
There's also a weightloss thread in the advice board. You might find that helpful.
Best of luck with your fitness goals
An example could be...
Breakfast could be porridge, a whey shake and some avocado
Lunch tuna/chicken with pasta/couscous and green veg
Dinner salmon/chicken/steak with green veg and sweet potato.