Hey there! That's awesome that you want to get healthier and feel better. I used to be a size 18 when I was a senior in high school. I had been overweight my whole life, thanks to my fabulous German heritage and mom making high carb and high fat foods! Like you, something told me it was time to wake up and do something about my weight. I joined a fitness center that was family-oriented and started off slowly by doing cardio. I cut all deep fried foods and soda out of my diet. I took a few classes that were offered for the members- cycling, aerobics, weight training, etc. to see what I liked. I started watching people work out with the machines, then started doing them myself, with help from the fitness staff. Then I went to the bookstore and started reading fitness magazines to get ideas on different exercises and good foods to eat to feel my best and get good results. Some great ones are Oxygen, Muscle and Fitness for Women, and Women's Health. Anyway, I just realized that it wasn't a diet I needed to go on, I just needed to change the way I was eating. I learned that I needed to chill out on the carbs (breads, rice, pasta and potatoes) and start eating more protein(red meat, fish, chicken, turkey, cheese, yogurt, eggs). I found out that when you are working out that your body burns carbs first, then fat, and lastly protein (which is what your muscles are made up of). Simply put, the less carbs you take in, the more your body can burn fat as fuel. It's really important to read your labels on foods that you buy. I've even taught my 4 kids what to look for when reading a nutrition label. Anyway, try to make it a priority to do something physical every day, whether it is a bike ride, an hour of weight training at the gym , or a fitness class.
It took me about a year, but I lost 75 pounds, and have maintained my current weight for over 20 years. You will be amazed at how wonderful you will feel, and how much less stress you will feel- not to mention overall health. I hope this has helped. Please feel free to send me an private message (click on my name at the top of post) if I can help answer any of your questions. Good luck!! =)
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Hey there! That's awesome that you want to get healthier and feel better. I used to be a size 18 when I was a senior in high school. I had been overweight my whole life, thanks to my fabulous German heritage and mom making high carb and high fat foods! Like you, something told me it was time to wake up and do something about my weight. I joined a fitness center that was family-oriented and started off slowly by doing cardio. I cut all deep fried foods and soda out of my diet. I took a few classes that were offered for the members- cycling, aerobics, weight training, etc. to see what I liked. I started watching people work out with the machines, then started doing them myself, with help from the fitness staff. Then I went to the bookstore and started reading fitness magazines to get ideas on different exercises and good foods to eat to feel my best and get good results. Some great ones are Oxygen, Muscle and Fitness for Women, and Women's Health. Anyway, I just realized that it wasn't a diet I needed to go on, I just needed to change the way I was eating. I learned that I needed to chill out on the carbs (breads, rice, pasta and potatoes) and start eating more protein(red meat, fish, chicken, turkey, cheese, yogurt, eggs). I found out that when you are working out that your body burns carbs first, then fat, and lastly protein (which is what your muscles are made up of). Simply put, the less carbs you take in, the more your body can burn fat as fuel. It's really important to read your labels on foods that you buy. I've even taught my 4 kids what to look for when reading a nutrition label. Anyway, try to make it a priority to do something physical every day, whether it is a bike ride, an hour of weight training at the gym , or a fitness class.
August 29, 2009 - 5:31pmIt took me about a year, but I lost 75 pounds, and have maintained my current weight for over 20 years. You will be amazed at how wonderful you will feel, and how much less stress you will feel- not to mention overall health. I hope this has helped. Please feel free to send me an private message (click on my name at the top of post) if I can help answer any of your questions. Good luck!! =)
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