I’m 18, weigh 172 pounds and my height is 5 feet and 4 1/2 inches. I know it’s way beyond the ideal weight. And I don’t really know how much I need to lose, and most importantly, how.
What sort of exercise regime do I follow? And what are some of the things that I can eat? Any other tips and tricks you have, please let me know…
I don’t want to go on a crazy diet, I just want to lose weight the healthy way. How much time would it take to lose around 65-75 pounds?
Get a personal trainer if you’re into the gym, or take a spinning class if you like stationary biking. Alternatively, yoga is great for dropping the pounds, as long as you stick to it. For all of the above you need to exercise 4-5 times a week for at least an hour to see any sorts of results.
As for a healthy diet, I’ve heard Jenny Craig and those sorts of places can be good, but really all you need to do is start cutting out bad things in your diet – cakes, candies, sodas, anything highly processed and full of sodium or sugars. Diet sodas especially have to go. After you’ve done that, stock up a lot on fruits and veggies (fruits contain natural sugars – your body has a much better time with them, so don’t worry there). Eat plenty of protein, but eat red meat 2 or less times a week. Chicken and fish are your best bets. Every meal should be small, and you should eat about 5 times a day. The three "main meals" should be around 400-600 calories, and then inbetween meals should be about half that. (The small snacks can be things like a handful of peanuts, an apple and string cheese, etc.)
For example, a good breakfast would be: A carnation instant breakfast mixed with 1tbsp peanut butter (assuming you’re exercising regularly), a couple thin slices of lean turkey, and a small handful of almonds.
Like I said before though, baby steps. Keep three meals a day, just make them smaller and healthier. Subtract processed foods and stock up on fruits and veggies.
Above all, find a type of exercising that’s right for you. I found yoga, myself, but I know people who swear by running, swimming, or spinning.
Your ideal weight might not be a size 0. There are plenty of women who find themselves comfortable around a size 6. It’ll take time, aim to lose 1-2lbs/week.
Remember, it’s a lifestyle change. To lose weight and keep it off, these are things you want to incorporate into your life, not lose weight and go back to your old habits.
Good luck!