Group: General Fitness & Exercise

Created: 2011/12/31, Members: 382, Messages: 54581

Various general exercise related discussions. Find out what it takes to reach your fitness goals through daily effective exercise. With so many options we try to find out what works best.

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25/Female beginner needs some help :(

NaberAber
NaberAber
Posts: 16
Joined: 2003/11/05
United States
2003/11/05, 02:25 PM
Ok, here is my situation..:)

-I am a female, 25 about 5'8" and weigh around 155lbs.
-I really need to get to the gym but have NO motivation
-I have (or can make the time) to go to the gym everyday. I haven't exercised in about 6 or 7 months. I don't drink or smoke. I eat out a lot. I know I need to cut my calories but my hunger is real bad. It seems like I am always hungry or I wait to long to eat on a certain day and by 3pm I am STARVING and I dont care what I eat..as long as it is good and a lot of it(which mostly ends up being take out or fast food ) How bad is it to eat only one meal a day??? The only diet that I have tried that worked well and fast was the Atkins but I just hate eating all that fatty stuff all the time. AND I never stick to it longer than 2 weeks. But I do lose weight without even exercising....that would be the "lazy me" talking again :(

-Now, I know that I already have some muscle. I can feel it when I flex. I used to be kind of fit before but I totally let myself get lazy.
-I need to know a good way to start. I just can't get myself to the gym but I know I need to. I bought Zantrex-3. I figured it would help with energy and keep my hunger down. I also have a multi-vitamin and other supplements as well.
When I start - I want to go to the gym everyday but not sure if I should do that. My plan at the gym is this
-Walk - 10 minutes
-Work on weight machines (all areas of the body?? - not sure if I should be doing that every day)
-then hit the Elyptical for 20 minutes then the bike or stair master for 20 minutes - TOO MUCH?

help :(

yadmit
yadmit
Posts: 4,670
Joined: 2003/10/05
Canada
2003/11/05, 02:39 PM
Eating one meal a day is bad.... not healthy at all. That's probably the most important think I've learned from this board. I believe it was Mutt that suggested five to six meals a day of about 500 calories each.

Also, when you drop the bad food and start eating healthy, your body doesn't become as hungry because you are putting premium fuel into your body. I know after a burger and fries at the fast food place, I'm usually hungry within an hour...

As for motivation... different things work for different people... I have a mental picture in my noggin' about what I want to look like. It seems to help.. plus I measure every now and again and step on a scale just out of curiosity... certainly don't use that as a gauge as muscle weighs more than fat.

The first real step for motivation was joining this site and asking questions.... it'll help tons...

Hope that helps...
Tim

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\"I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self.\"

Aristotle
yadmit
yadmit
Posts: 4,670
Joined: 2003/10/05
Canada
2003/11/05, 02:41 PM
Oh... forgot to add... it's suggested you fill out the profile section of your info so we can get more details...

Tim

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\"I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self.\"

Aristotle
bowers
bowers
Posts: 179
Joined: 2003/04/13
United States
2003/11/05, 02:51 PM
One bit of advice you do not have to do everything at once. Start slowly. As you progress you will see results and that in and of itself is motivation. Why don't you try slowly replacing the foods you do eat with healthier choices. And as mentioned above you should eat 5-6 smaller meals per day. Breakfast is of utmost importance. The reason being is that instead of eating 1-2 times per day your metabolism will peak and crash. If you eat 5-6 smaller meals per day your metabolism will stay at an elevated rate all day. Now as for what you eat start slowly so that you stay with it. For instance try exchanging soda for water, or instead of eating a cheese burger try ground sirloin, or if you eat peanut butter use natural peanut butter instead of the commercial brands that are loaded with hydroginated oils and fats. Try just replacing 1 food a day or 2 foods a day and add another one every week. As far as workouts are concerened start slowly there to or you will burn out. Try starting with 2-3 days per week with a combination of cardio and weight training. Don't fear the weight room this is where you are going to lose a good amount of body fat because it will ultimatley raise your restign metabolism. Keep using this board this is a great resource with alot of knowledgable people and usefull diet and exercise information. Good luck
7707mutt
7707mutt
Posts: 7,686
Joined: 2002/06/18
United States
2003/11/05, 03:23 PM
I want to add (thanks Tim for listening LOL) that the 500clas for each meal 5-6 (meaning 2500-3000) is high for most. You need to find a level tht works for you and make a meal plan based on that. 5-6 meals is best cause it keeps the cals per meal small....good luck!

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Eat More, Drink More, and Lift Harder than you thought you could, welcome to Becoming!
NaberAber
NaberAber
Posts: 16
Joined: 2003/11/05
United States
2003/11/05, 03:39 PM
Thank you all so much! :) I probably will be asking more questions later on. I just happen to fall upon this website and I love it! :)
Oh yeah...what about that Zantrex-3 stuff? Bad? Good? Or is it just like all the others (Hydroxicut/Zenadrine)
Thanks :)
yadmit
yadmit
Posts: 4,670
Joined: 2003/10/05
Canada
2003/11/05, 03:41 PM
hahahaha... I think really, the tough part is the diet... we get slammed everyday with 'lite, fat-free, trans fats...' blah, blah, blah... it just never ends... the diet is the hardest part for me at this time.. but, I know if I handle it on a day to day basis and use common sense, it'll all work out...

Tim

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\"I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self.\"

Aristotle
plfitness
plfitness
Posts: 198
Joined: 2003/05/25
United States
2003/11/05, 07:41 PM
As Mutt said 3000 cals is a bit much, given your bodyweight you should only need around 1800 per day. Taht would break into 6 meals at 300cals each. I wouldnt worry about hoy amny grams of what to consume at first as 300 cals is not alot of food which will inevitably cause you to seek out low calorie high protein foods as you can eat more of them while staying below the limit. Just get in the habit of reading labels & keping track. Don't worry if you don't always make it at first just keep at it as it takes time to adjust. It's a good idea to consume a larger meal prior to exercise as 300 cals may leave you lacking the energy to be really productive so you may want to add 200 cals to your pre-workout meal. As far as frequency Like mentioned before its best to start slow. Maybe do weights 3 tims per week & try to do some kind of cardiovascular activity on the days in between, even if its just going for a walk or a bike ride, exercise doesn't always have to be work. As for the diet aid, I am not familliar with it just be sure to read & be aware of any cautions listed on the label. I found that with the proper nutrition such diet aids are unnecessary & sometimes even harmfull so just be carefull. Anyway good luck with your new lifestyle!

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\\\\\"Education is the progressive discovery of our own ignorance\\\\"

Patrick L.
ISSA-CFT
rooti
rooti
Posts: 9
Joined: 2003/04/15
Afghanistan
2003/11/09, 03:06 AM
Hi. I agree with everyone else. You need to eat 4-6 small meals a day. If I wait too long to eat during the day, I will usually become way to hungry and go on a binge. The best thing I ever did was to read a book by Covert Baily...It is called "Fit or Fat"... He is awesome,,,and he really knows what he is talking about. He makes sense, and speaks in lamens terms. He doesn't believe in dieting..just changing your lifestyle.... a diet here...a diet there..with gaining weight in between just makes us all a lump of fat with no muscle to be seen. Plus it is just not good for you. Everyone wants the easy and fast way..I know I do. But slow and steady will win the race!!! change your eating and exercise habits very slowly and methodically and you will stick with it. Try and exercise as much as you can, because exercise is very important. I try to exercise in the beginning of the day because if I don't, I always find some excuse to skip it later in the day. Plus, if I know that my workout is done, I feel like I have completed something worthwhile that day. No matter what else didn't get finished...I did that one thing for myself!!! And it makes me feel good, not to mention it motivates me to eat well the rest of the day. Please read covert baileys books. YOu can find them in the library for free. He is awesome...And he makes sense....He will really motivate you to become a healthier, happier, and fitter person!!

gretchen