Getting it together.

Question
I am 17 years old and am 5'3, and weigh 246 pounds and I'm tired of it, and I was wondering if I cut out fast foods, and junk foods, and workout out an hour everyday for this whole month could I possibly lose 10 or 15 pounds? Then continue this routine and switch up my workouts and start learning how to control my emotional eating, and my depression.... I am kinda desperate because I've been this way for a while and it's really unhealthy and is holding me back and I am willing to give up really fatty foods to get the body I want.

Answer
Hi Tasha

The fact that you're writing to ask for advice tells me you're serious about being 'tired of it.'  Here's what I'd suggest though - rather than focussing on how much weight you're losing, focus on how much health you're gaining.  Here's why I say that:  when you focus on how much weight you're losing it's easy to lose heart.... especially seen as, when you start exercising regularly, fat will be turning to muscle and when the scale is your measure, because muscle weight 3x on a scale what fat does. I also think it will be important for you to understand how you are changing your metabolism so that you really know why exercise is important on those days when you're struggling with motivation.  (http://www.ditch-diets-live-light.com/basal-metabolic-rate.html ) Because of that it can be pretty disheartening to weight yourself and see that the figures aren't going down like you'd want them to.  Rather take a tight-fitting pair of trousers and see how your body is changing relative to it.

Giving up fast and junk foods is also fabulous for health... but be reasonable.  Don't try to never eat junk or fast foods because that's setting yourself up for failure.  Allow yourself to have a meal a week where you can still eat fast/junk foods, only difference is that when you eat it, really savour and enjoy it and eat it without guilt.  I call this 'happy eating'  you can read about it on http://www.ditch-diets-live-light.com/happy-eating.html

Good luck
Cari

1. Prev:flavanoids
2. Next:Right amount of exercise