Overweight Teen, Trying My Best
 

hey guys, joined and love the forums so far. I posted my first topic in the other thread, hope you guys could help.

thank you so much!

Welcome.
I'm glad you found this place. Congrats on recognizing at a young age that you need to do something about your weight. I have a little motherly advice.
These are somethings it took me over 20 years to learn.
1. I must exercise. ( I weight train 4 days a week for 45 - 60 minutes alternating upper and lower body.) because muscle takes up 5 times less space than fat.
I have gone down 3 pants sizes without losing any scale weight.
Also I do 20 minutes on the elliptical 6 times a week. I personally like high intensity interval training.

2. Read Read Read. You need to learn what works for you.
I will never diet again. So by reading I have put together my own way of eating that works for me. I am never hungry and eat 40% carbs, 40% protein and 20% fat.
I love these books:
YOU on a diet by Oz and Roizen, SuperFoods Rx by Pratt, Body For Life by Phillips.

3. Water, Water, Water. I don't drink anything but water, green tea and soy milk. No soda diet or otherwise. No juice I prefer my fruit and vegetables whole you get the fiber also.

4. Plan, Plan, Plan. I journal my food as well as my exercise. Before and if I make any changes

5. Love yourself and the rest will come. I have found 90% of this weight loss thing has been in my head. Once my head was in the right place the rest has come.

Good luck.

Hey JMav, and :wel3fc:

I responded to your post in Weight Loss Support also, but wanted to extend another welcome to you - so glad you're here!

Keep posting, asking questions, and settling in. There are so many HELPFUL people here to help you stay on your path.

Hey. I'm there with ya. Overweight as a teen. I've realized that I have to do something about it. Talking about it with other people is awesome. It really hits ya that we need to do something. It's a good thing! Good luck!

Welcome to 3FC! :welcome3:

Great advice from Sharon. :yes:

Yesterday I was thinking about what I did as a teen to make me one of those annoying slim people who could eat vast quantities of food without gaining an ounce.

I ran five times a week.
Walked everywhere instead of taking elevators, buses, etc.
Probably drank more liquids than I do now.
Held my stomach in all the time, which made for some wicked stomach muscles. :lol:
Probably ate a more balanced diet (despite all the snacking I did), as I was still living at home. Now, I have this immature idea (at 43!?) that I can eat whatever I want because I'm "all grown up". How dumb is THAT!? :dizzy:

You're at the perfect time of your life to learn all the "tricks", and to work them into a lifestyle that'll get you through difficult times.
Best wishes! :hug:

:welcome3: