|
2002/12/25, 11:19 PM
Hey guys,
I want to first thank you all because you are a great community, I haven't seen an online community like this one, so thank you because every post of any of you helps many others like me. I'm new to this thing so here I go.
Ihave been trying to lose weight for my whole life, everydiet and excercise program unsuccessful. I feel I have a health problem besides the fact that I like to eat harmful stuff. I have been able to stick to diets that never worked and I have starved to death while working out 2 to 3 hours a day everyday and that never worked either. I know i must have a medical problem because I am always tired and sleepy. I sleep about 12 hours a day, sometimes more, and I'm only 23. I was able to get thru college with caffeine pills and fat burners but they get me all jittery although they helped keep me awake quite a bit. I'l be going to law school soon and i think I wont make it thru because I cannot defeat my sleepyness and tiredness. So when it comes to excercising, it's really hard to get myself to do it and when I start a program like the ones on this site, I just don't see results!! Is there some excercise magic that I don't know about and that's why my workouts are bearing no fruit?
YV
|
|
|
|
2002/12/26, 10:28 AM
Many things about your post stick out. You talk about "diets" and "programs" and "starving." I think everyone here will echo that being healthy and physically fit is not a fad, diet or program, it is a lifestyle. If your have spent time reading many of the other posts, you will see that we all talk about the total package. A healthy balanced diet, balanced exercise program, and a balanced healthy life outside of the kitchen and gym. With the information you gave in your post, I would guess that you do not have a medical problem, you have a lifestyle problem - lack of exercise, poor and erratic diet, and the dependence on "uppers" to make it through the day. These things lead to the tiredness and sleepiness you complain of. My guess is that your 12 hours of sleep aren't from 9pm to 9am. Probably more like 1am to 1pm. This may seem harsh, but think about what you put your body through on a daily basis. You add the stress of college and then law school (which I personally understand) and your current mental and physical state are easily understood without have a medical consult. Here's where things start looking up. You have the power to change everything. There is no magical secret, but here is some common things that most of us do (with some variation to our personal preferences).
Healthy Eating: 5-6 meals per day to stoke your metabolism and provide nourishment to your body. Drink a lot of water and take a multi-vitamin/mineral. Basic rule of thumb - if you don't know how it helps your body, don't put it in. This is not a "diet."
Exercise: Try 1-1 1/2 hours a day. No marathon session for us. This is unproductive and would likely lead you to quit. Start by weight training. This is the best way to change your body. As you add lean muscle, your body will burn more calories and the fat will dwindle even faster. Try one of the programs here on FT. They are balanced and easy to follow. Start by lifting weights three days a week. Do some cardio too. Start with two days a week. Again, no marathon sessions.
Rest: Outside of the gym, get regular rest. This means a descent bedtime on a good schedule. Your body needs this to recuperate and prepare for the next day.
Good luck on your lifestyle change. Everyone here will have answers to whatever questions you have and will provide motivation when you are lacking. One last thing - don't weigh yourself as an earmark for progress. Weight is a poor indicator of health. Soon you will feel healthier, your clothes will fit better. Good luck.
|
|
2002/12/26, 10:38 AM
I wrote out a reply to this post earlier but it sounded like a lecture on how many things you were doing wrong so didn't post it. After reading w8lifter's reply I'm glad I deleted it as he did a much better job. I just want to echo that I think that if you read a bit more around here and then re-read what you originally posted, you'll have a pretty fair idea of what you need to do. Good luck and keep learning.
|
|
2002/12/26, 11:40 AM
I saw this post last night, and didn't know how to put my response onto a post. Weightlifter gave the right advice!
Ditto!
kyarhati00
Good Luck with your new lifestyle and welcome to freetrainers.
Hope we can help you more.
--------------
The trouble with jogging is that, by the time you realize you are not in shape for it, it is too far to walk back! Franklin P. Jones
Ivan Montreal Canada
|
|
2002/12/27, 02:20 PM
Hello, my first time here. Since April 2002 I have followed the 6 week body makeover plan and love it. I have removed 40 pounds of fat by changing my lifestyle for the better. That includes 5 to 6 meals a day, muscle building and cardio. I am now 44, married with 4 children. I was in your shoes when I attended graduate school. That's where I met my husband. We worked days and nights straight without sleep. Architectural program is very demanding. For the most part fear kept you awake in the midst of part time jobs and full time classes. I was also in good shape, but not as good as I am now. I did exercise then but did not strength train.
I must get in some form of physical activity. You also need to eat well, that means passing over junk food and fast food for cooked foods as much as possible. Prepare your food in advance and bag it or you will not have the strength to make it through a day let alone 72 hours straight.
Here is a hard lesson to learn but it is true; you will perform better with sleep. Get at least 6 hours every day, or you will waste your time. I learned. But only experience can teach you that one.
|
