The weight you drop initially will probably be excess water weight.

If you want burn fat, you have to train your body to do so more effeciently.

3/15/2006 2:50:34 AM

Just remember, every bit you lose is MAJOR progress. It takes a lot of time and energy to lose weight - I always remind myself that it took me lots of time and energy to put the weight on, so I can't expect miracles overnight. At first, its a great accomplishment just to maintain your weight if you have been gaining for a while. Just stick to it, and as you see results, those should help you get excited to lose more.

Also, if you are not in good enough shape to run or intense workouts, just increase the amount of time in your work out. Even if it is just brisk walking (I've always read to walk at a pace where it is just getting difficult to hold a conversation), an extra 15 or 20 minutes on top of what you do can help tremendously. And if you get bored walking, you could try books on cd, they have been an awesome distraction for me during my walks.

Hope that helps! Good luck!

[Edited on March 15, 2006 at 4:40 AM. Reason : .]

3/15/2006 4:40:31 AM

Quote :

"I think shes pretty cute anyways."

are you fucking high?

3/15/2006 4:49:39 AM

^ beer goggles?

oh, fyi, soda = devil

cut soda out, sugar filled drinks are really bad, youll lose a couple pounds if you cut them out. water is good, might take some getting used to, i know i did. now i cant drink soda cause it burns my throat.

3/15/2006 8:08:11 AM

Carrots = really good

Snacking on some as I read this thread...

3/15/2006 8:28:51 AM

Quote :

"NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER use treadmills. They are horrible for you in so many ways it's crazy."

ok, i'lll bite. How about elaborating?

3/15/2006 8:29:29 AM

probably shock to the feet, ankles, and knees

3/15/2006 8:31:47 AM

^running on the sidewalk or road is going to do more of that than a treadmill

3/15/2006 8:49:29 AM

i dont know about that.

i have a couple friends who run marathons, but they cant run more then 3-4 miles on a treadmill...well, im sure they can, but they hate it because it hurts their legs more.

3/15/2006 9:05:39 AM

intersting, i mean i could see how, but i have always had it hurt more on road, but then again i always ran more on treadmills, so i might just be used to one and not the other


cardio sucks anyway

3/15/2006 9:09:04 AM

it may just be a personal preference....i havent seen any data for either side.

3/15/2006 9:12:03 AM

goddamn yall are ruthless


I hate running, so i do the rowing machine at the beginning and boxing/jump rope at the end

dont know how this helps, but if you wanna train million dollar baby style, boxing is one of the more fun/less boring (your outlook pending) ways for cardio exercise

but im no personal trainer

3/15/2006 9:23:50 AM

I find it easier to run farther on natural surface vs. a treadmill, but I find the pounding of a sidewalk or road hurts my legs far more than a treadmill. I hate treadmills simply because they are only as wide as my natural stance so I can't waiver at all or my foot will be half-on-half-off and I'll come close to biting it. I absolutely hate eliptical machines... I just cannot keep my heart rate elevated enough on them.

[Edited on March 15, 2006 at 9:28 AM. Reason : .]

3/15/2006 9:27:12 AM

I like treadmills because I have a hard time keeping a good pace running outside. I just always feel like I'm running too slow, and I pick up my pace, next thing I know I'm about to pass out.

I can run for miles on treadmills...plus I get to watch TV when I'm on them too.

3/15/2006 9:29:48 AM

Treadmills in general fuck up your gait/stride.

I never run on them if I can help it.

That's also why there are quite a few guys that can run a sub 2:15 marathon, but you won't see that being done on a treadmill.

[Edited on March 15, 2006 at 10:07 AM. Reason : .]

3/15/2006 10:07:01 AM

I hate it when people give real advice.

3/15/2006 10:27:11 AM

3/15/2006 10:34:45 AM

how can people say treadmills are BAD? they many not be perfect but compared to NOT running (or excersizing)??? gimme a fucking break.



[Edited on March 15, 2006 at 10:47 AM. Reason : -]

3/15/2006 10:46:36 AM

what kind of a break would you like, leg, arm?

3/15/2006 11:01:05 AM

youre not implying treadmills break bones?

3/15/2006 11:05:29 AM

no i was jsut sarcastically asking if you wanted me to break one of them for you, you asked for a break

3/15/2006 11:18:56 AM

Eat less. Move more.

3/15/2006 11:24:45 AM

wanna drop pounds? do atkins hardcore for a month. I did that last semester and dropped about 25 lbs, from 200 down to 175.

3/15/2006 12:08:45 PM

^ I did Atkins for two weeks and lost 15 pounds- it was great, but really, really hard to give up fruit- as soon as you go off Atkins you gain it back FAST!

Quote :

"You will see fat loss MUCH more rapidly working out smarter than harder."

Seems like good advice

[Edited on March 15, 2006 at 12:21 PM. Reason : .........]

3/15/2006 12:21:00 PM

That has to be the worst diet ever if you eschew fruit.

3/15/2006 12:21:38 PM

yeah, i think most people would probably want a healthy method for losing weight.

3/15/2006 12:21:42 PM

I agree. I wouldn't do it again if my life depended on it

3/15/2006 12:22:39 PM

seriously, as has been said time and again...it takes a lot of time, work, and commitment to lose weight. i lost 85 lbs in a period of about 7 months (and kept it off) only by eating healthy and being active (working out, running, just staying off my ass). forget diets and pills and whatever else you may be considering, you may lose some weight but it is my personal garauntee it'll come right back.

there's a lot of discussion here about how you should run or work out, but in the end it doesnt really matter. just stay active. If you're bored, don't plop in front of the computer or TV, get up and walk around outside, clean your house, whatever as long as you're moving. granted, working out and running are your best bets, but you get the idea.

[Edited on March 15, 2006 at 12:44 PM. Reason : ]

3/15/2006 12:41:18 PM

In reference to my orginal post--go ahead and do the elliptical if you're a pansy. I don't care what anyone says, the elliptical is simply not as hard on your body as running. And if you're trying to lose weight, you need to do something that is hard, yes too hard, on your body.In addition, i have seldom seen anyone work the elliptical super hard, most people just take it pretty easy. Even a workout that looks hard and you're sweating and all that, you're still not killing your body as much as running.

I beleive in training hard. So my suggestions centered on that. You can train hard, but you have to have some sense if you're going to do that.

As for the Diet Sods, yeah, i agree it's also bad. The carbonic acid will ruin your teeth. But if you can't go cold turkey of the sugar stuff, it's a good bridge.

The only other excersise besides running that is more difficult is rowing--IF you know how to do it correctly. Yes, there is a right and a wrong way to row. Ask someone on the crew team to teach you or look it up online. Although it takes practice to learn how to row correctly.

[Of course there is also interval training, stairs, etc. But i wouldn't ness. recommend that to a novice.]

3/15/2006 1:04:45 PM

You haven't said anything about your current diet. You may need to alter what you eat, but don't "go on a diet" or do Atkins or anything like that. Changes in nutrition have to be made slowly and have to be permenant. Any change you make in your eating habits should be: 1. positive from a nutritional standpoint, and 2. a change that you can maintain for the rest of your life.

Start out small. For example, say you eat at Bojangles four times a week. Don't try to quit fried food tomorrow. Although that would be a positive change, it's drastic and you probably wouldn't be able to keep it up. Instead decide to replace one fast-food meal a week with a healthy meal. In a few weeks when you get used to it, reduce your fast food outings again. If you always drink whole milk, switch to 2% at first and eventually to skim. Changes in diet should not make you feel deprived or hungry, because that will make you want to go back to your old ways.

3/15/2006 1:05:13 PM

^agreed.

And if you are running less than 5 miles at a time outside, inside, anywhere and you have PAIN in your joints/ligaments afterward, you need to change your stride and probably get better shoes.

Knee/joint pain from running has much more to do with HOW you run than where or on what surface. Running with a good form fixes a lot of problems. I can personally attest to the dramatic change from this. I had shin splints all the time, severe knee problems and tendonitis. Better shoes, SLOWING DOWN, and learning to run properly have made a world of difference.

I can run 10 miles and be perfectly fine afterward, or run 10 miles 5 minutes faster and my body will be wrecked for a week or more. Going at a proper pace makes a big big difference.

3/15/2006 1:10:57 PM

Quote :

"Also cut out the damn diet shit too. DIET COKE IS NO BETTER THAN REGULAR COKE."

Bullshit. Cutting out a significant part of dietary calories is more important than this whole "diet soda will give you cancer" hype. Oh noooooooo, I eat red meat. Therefore red meat is just as bad for you as diet soda?? Gimme a fucking break

3/15/2006 1:45:17 PM

already been a lot of comments on treadmill vs running and all that. i think the most important thing is to get your heart rate up and keep it there. but ANY exercise is better than no exercise. if you want to lose weight, make sure you have regular cardio sessions. but do be careful with your joints. if your knees are already bad, running probably isn't a good choice. i advise mixing it up a little. if you do the same old routine over and over, it gets boring and you may not be working all the muscles you want. aerobics, swimming, spin classes, kickboxing aerobics, elliptical, jogging, brisk walking - it all is good and can be quite fun. aerobics and spin classes are excellent ways to really get motivated since you have other people there and it is fast paced. weights are a good way to tone your muscles - don't go overboard tho or you will look like a body builder! more reps of lighter weights will help you get a more toned look. don't focus on just arms or legs - make sure you work your back, abs, chest, etc as well. yoga is also a great way to get a longer, leaner physique. and it is excellent for stretching and relaxing muscles. yoga is a great accompaniment to any exercise routine.

do work on your diet. cut the junk - fries, chips, candy, etc. don't cut everything out tho, give yourself a treat every now and then. you need a lifestyle change not a diet. moderation is key. most people who go on "diets" gain it all plus some back as soon as they get to their goal and stop the "diet". one of the easiest ways is to simply cut portions. this way you enjoy all your favorites but just eat less. most restaurant meals are 2-3x normal portion size. for example, if i eat mexican, i usually take home 1/2 of it. try to leave something on your plate. drink lots of water. when you order a steak, trim the fat, take the skin off your chicken (little stuff like that goes a long way). take vitamins. take the stairs. don't bother with the weight loss pills (the good ones that actually worked somewhat aren't available anymore anyway). if you have a hard time moderating, try counting calories. it isn't for everyone but it is a great way for you to see just how much you are putting back and it allows you to make decisions - i.e. do i want this 300calorie candybar or 3 bananas? here are some webpages that might help you out:

http://www.nutristrategy.com/activitylist4.htm
http://www.caloriesperhour.com/index_food.html

anywho, good luck and congrats on stepping up and trying to get healthy. just remember you might not see results immediately. it can take a couple of weeks for all that exercise to even start to make a dent. be patient and persistent. also, my doctor gave me these numbers to go by. for the average person who consumes 2000 calories per day and is at a steady weight: to lose 1 pound per week, you need to cut 3500 calories per week or 500 calories per day out of the 2000. so it can take some time and a lot of will power. have fun

[Edited on March 15, 2006 at 2:43 PM. Reason : er]

3/15/2006 2:41:37 PM

I have a problem loosing my keys too.

3/15/2006 3:46:37 PM

Thanks to everyone that gave advice on here. I really appreciate it. And yeah BigHitSunday some of it I did know, but a lot I didn't know. And no, I'm not looking for a quick fix b/c im not a dumbass I know that is not possible. I know I'm fat and need to lose the weight and thats why I've started a gym and such. So ya'll can call me lardass and whatever else you want b/c It's not something I don't know already. Thanks everyone!

[Edited on March 15, 2006 at 5:45 PM. Reason : ]

3/15/2006 5:44:03 PM

Good attitude.

3/15/2006 5:48:32 PM

Lard ass.

3/15/2006 5:49:20 PM

This girl is my hero.

3/15/2006 5:49:23 PM

Burn more calories than you take in and eat healthy. You're not an idiot.

3/15/2006 5:54:43 PM

Quote :

"Treadmills in general fuck up your gait/stride. I never run on them if I can help it. That's also why there are quite a few guys that can run a sub 2:15 marathon, but you won't see that being done on a treadmill."

Haha. Indeed. Watch the progression:

























[Edited on March 15, 2006 at 6:00 PM. Reason : OWNED]

3/15/2006 5:59:40 PM

Quote :

"Bullshit. Cutting out a significant part of dietary calories is more important than this whole "diet soda will give you cancer" hype. Oh noooooooo, I eat red meat. Therefore red meat is just as bad for you as diet soda?? Gimme a fucking break"

Has nothing to do with causing cancer. All those artifical sweeteners destroy the natural balance of your digestive system and metabolism. Way to have no fucking clue what you are talking about. Not to mention many of them have other side-effects as well, not the least of which is aspartame slowly wears away your stomach lining, leaving you MUCH more likely to develop IBS and other intestinal disorders.

3/15/2006 6:19:22 PM

Quote :

"don't go overboard tho or you will look like a body builder! more reps of lighter weights will help you get a more toned look. "

She doesn't need to worry about looking like a body builder. The vast majority of females just don't have enough testosterone to grow large muscles. So don't be afraid to lift heavy. It's better for you anyway. The weights should be heavy enough that you can only complete 8-12 reps. When you are able to finish 12 reps, move to more weight.

Muscle is the factory that burns fat.

3/15/2006 6:40:31 PM

actually, youre wrong

ladies, if youre trying to slim down those chunky thighs and fat buns the LAST thing you want to do is lift heavy. since you cant burn fat and gain muscle at the same time (or at least it's very difficult for the novice) you are better of doing high reps/low weight.



[Edited on March 15, 2006 at 7:09 PM. Reason : asdf]

3/15/2006 7:07:35 PM

Quote :

"you need a lifestyle change not a diet."

tru dat

[Edited on March 15, 2006 at 7:59 PM. Reason : .]

3/15/2006 7:58:54 PM

Haha you just posted that Brandon Moen stuff...that's what I was thinking when Abe made the treadmill comment. Where's the cat-girl with gun photos?

3/15/2006 10:51:57 PM

Agreed, screw the treadmill.

Take a long ass run/jog outside, far away from where you live. Then, you HAVE to walk/run/jog back home somehow.

Works well if it starts to rain.

3/15/2006 10:55:33 PM

3/15/2006 10:57:24 PM

LiusClues ftw

3/15/2006 11:26:59 PM

Quote :

"actually, youre wrong ladies, if youre trying to slim down those chunky thighs and fat buns the LAST thing you want to do is lift heavy. since you cant burn fat and gain muscle at the same time (or at least it's very difficult for the novice) you are better of doing high reps/low weight."

actually...you're wrong.

muscle increases your metabolism. so you'll be burning more calories (fat) from doing nothing. still, it's not the most effective way to go.

3/15/2006 11:34:26 PM

yes, so all you porky girls should be doing heavy squats and deadlifting as much as you can if you want to visibly reduce the size of your cottege cheese thighs

all that muscle mass will burn away all your fat for you!

it'll like eat up your carbs 'n shit

3/16/2006 12:59:01 AM