Hi, my name is Jerold and I am an overweight 2nd year college student. When I was in high school I was 204 pounds. So I worked that out, went to gym, cut those fatty foods and stuff, and I managed to shed some pounds. I was 184 lbs when I graduated.
But now, I am back in 204 lbs! After 2 years, I gained all that weight back, and I am just so depressed about it! I am starting back again, but the problem is, I don't have the time to go to the gym again like before since I am already in college. But, I do a lot of walking so I guess that is fine.
Now, I wanted to shed pounds not just to go back to 184, but to exceed it and get to 150 lbs.
The question is how? Can someone give me advice on how to lose 54 lbs? Is that possible in 6 months?
I'd shoot for 25-35 pounds in six months. You've got plenty of time to work on it. A more rapid rate of weight loss usually doesn't "stick."
Best wishes,
ReplySteve
The one most effective thing I've found is watching your calories.
You gain weight because you take in more calories than you burn. No matter the system (if it isn't a ripoff), if you analyze effective weight treatments they basically are keeping you from consuming as much as you're burning.
Keep a food diary (or use an online tool like fitday.com) to track how many calories you're consuming every day. Then find a tool to calculate your approximate Basal Metabolic Rate, the calories you burn every day if you just sat on the couch. Add in the approximate calories you burn through exercise.
Next adjust your consumed calories until they're under your BMR+Exercise calories. Every 3500 calories you save is a pound of weight off.
ReplyIt' not going to be good for you to lose that much weight in such a short period of time. It's not that the weight loss itself would be bad, but more that the extremes you'd have to put yourself through to lose that much weight would mean you probably wouldn't be eating enough calories (therefore making your metabolism slow and your energy levels drop leading to poor school performance). I just recently graduated, and I understand your predicament. I went from 145 to 215 in my 4 years at college. I have since lost over 30 of those lbs. (in a year). You could lose what you want in a year if you work out and eat well, but I wouldn't expect or try for it in 6 months. Try to find a class at your gym or a club that you would enjoy. Or join a sports team. If you spend an hour a day at something like that, and you watch what you eat (and try walking as much as possible and cut down on drinking a bit), you can probably expect moderate weight loss.
ReplyAlso, don't forget to sleep. Lack of sleep causes and increase in stress hormones that then cause your metabolism to slow. Try to limit the snacking you do while studying, or at least eat things like fruits or vegetables. If you're eating on campus, try to eat the healthier options and even if the vegetables don't taste so good, make sure to try to eat them. Bring your own spice to add if you need. And try not to eat too much late at night- those drunk munchies can be pretty killer. And maybe try to limit your drinking to just the weekend, or ate least cut down on your drinking during the week.
ReplyI feel your pain. I lost 170lb years ago and had gotten myself down to the nice 180lb. But then I started to slip and despite hitting the gym 4-5 times a week, my weight started creeping up. Now I'm anywhere between 212-215lb and unable to get it together to lose that weight. In the past 2 years, I've lost and regained the same 20lb, going from 195 to 215, a bunch of times. I wish I could get it together but I'm finding it very hard. So yes, I feel your pain.
ReplyYou should try your luck on the NBC show, Biggest Loser(by Loser, they mean weight loss).
ReplyYou didn't gain the weight back in a short period of time so please don't expect to lose it in a short period of time. Find a program that you like and can stick with - not one of those get thin quick schemes :-) - and make it a lifestyle change. That happens over time. I know 'cuz that is what I did.
I did 2 meal replacement shakes and thermogenics and lost 40 lbs only to gain almost all of it back again after I went off that program. Determined to shed some of those pounds, I found a plan that took how my body metabolizes food into account, taught me how to shop at the grocery store and has become a lifestyle change for me. I'm happy to say I'm back down to the weight I got to on the first diet and I'm keeping it there.
You can do the same and be healthy, fit and vital throughout your life.
ReplyIn addition to tracking your calories, and since you have limited time for going to the gym, consider these ideas: 1. schedule your back to back classes on opposite sides of the campus and walk to and from, I swear that's how I kept my weight in check in college, 2. take study breaks and have a set of weights close at hand or do push-ups. That could jump start your brain too for more studying. 3. Take a P.E. class as part of your curriculum every session.
Reply