I want to look good for prom Please help me

[bigbalut]

Hey I'm High school student that weighs about 183 lbs and is 5'5" and i want to be able to get down to 150 lbs for prom because honestly I'm not happy with what i weigh and so far i have kept up eating 6 small meals a day with protein, and i usually work out when i usually find time, so around 3-4 times on a good week. I've already broken this down to where i lose 2 lbs per week while i stretch this for 5 months and so far barely any progress. I've started at 185 lbs and a month later I'm down to 183 lbs so if you guys can give me some advice that would be much appreciated

[Kim]

First, change your screen name to something much more supportive to your cause, my friend.

In theory, you still have a family doctor or the like, yes? You need to talk to him or her, not us. Your body is still growing and changing at a huge rate, even if you're not getting taller, and there are needs you have as a teen that are best addressed by a professional.

Generally speaking, lean meat and veggies with no processsed food will get a body to its best potential. If you are already doing that with very little result, please get professional help.

Good luck!

[Robby]

Kim's right (News at Eleven... "Kim's Right."), but I'll add this last note.

Getting your physical health under control is a great step in being a Man. So I applaud your approach, and I suggest you continue to read books and magazines on fitness and training. Seeking physical fitness help in a dating forum isn't the best place to start.

Also, remember this: "You can look good without being good looking."

Despite what Hollywood might lead you to believe, being attractive is about being physical, social, sincere and fun (inner development) - and less about being thin, pretty, and fit (superficial.)

Focus on what's going to help you feel better (fitness, being social, friends) and less on what's ruining your confidence (insecurities, feeling fat, etc.)

Good luck!

~ Robby

[ralph]

Thank you for the help really and yea about looking for fitness help on a dating forum is not that smart , but from past experiences girls were teased for going out with a me and I don't want it to be my faut that's all. If this thread was off topic of dating my bad.

[Steve W]

Don't worry dude, it isn't off topic ( this is the section for physical fitness after all ).

The point is, most of the advice on here applies to adults, so it might not apply to you, since you're still in high school. It could be dangerous for you to start an adult oriented fitness program. I think Kim was right - check with your doctor; they have these charts that will tell you if you are normal, or healthy for your age and height, and your doctor might be able to suggest what you could do if you're not.

Now, the other side, what Robby is saying, is that your physical appearance doesn't matter that much, as long as you're clean, well kept, and your clothes fit. I know you're in high school and it can be hard to believe that. A lot of times the most social kids are those who were early bloomers - the guys who are fit, and athletic - because they had less insecurities, and got more practice being social. It might look like it's all about their appearance, but really it has everything to do with attitude, and just letting go of your insecurities, and talking to people.

So, if you are trying to lose weight for the wrong reasons, then it might be hurting you. Nothing can make you instantly social. And worse, focusing on it can make you feel insecure, especially if you aren't meeting your goals.

Instead what you gotta do is anything that makes you feel good personally, for your own reasons. If you feel working out is a great way to let off some steam, and you really enjoy feeling fit, then keep it up. Stop tracking your weight, and instead track how many reps you can do, or how long you can jog for. Hang out with your buddies, do some hobbies, and have some fun.

(Man, I really wish I could have told this to myself when I was in highschool...)

- Steve.

[ralph]

Thank you very much you guys are so much help

[diaton]

Instead what you gotta do is anything that makes you feel good personally, for your own reasons. If you feel working out is a great way to let off some steam, and you really enjoy feeling fit, then keep it up. Stop tracking your weight, and instead track how many reps you can do, or how long you can jog for. Hang out with your buddies, do some hobbies, and have some fun.

(Man, I really wish I could have told this to myself when I was in highschool...)

- Steve.

Steve wrote some real insightful stuff up here and I truly say read his post carefully and think about what he said before you start trying to lose weight. But i'm assuming you want to lose weight. And here's how you do it (tried and true, I did it when I was your exact age, although I didn't have quite as much weight to lose). NOT to say it's not impossible! It is VERY VERY doable!

Here's what you do:

PREFACE: EATING IS 80 PERCENT OF LOSING WEIGHT. Exercise = 20%

Read between the lines: you will NOT gain weight if you are sitting on your ass not exercising while eating healthy. on the other hand, if you are eating crap and you decide not to exercise, you WILL. think of the added benefit of exercising WIHLE eating healthy.

You keep track of what you eat, shedding pounds will be SO MUCH (months) easier.

This means as little processed foods as possible (a la kim), as little bread as possible (and when you do it bread, it must NOT be white bread), etc. It is okay to splurge 2-3 times a week (going out with buds on a friday night, drink 3 beers = splurge for the week. beer is incredibly caloric. bad example, one splurge = small ice cream while studying on a wednesday night.)

At the same time, eat as MUCH VEGGIES AS YOU WANT, meat is good (don't go overboard, try and vary the meats as much as possible), fruit, etc.

Also, portion control. Don't eat a whole block of cheese. 5 slices? Great, healthy! Be practical.

week 1: drink 3 bottles of water every day at least
week 2: 4 bottles/day
week 3 and on: 5 bottles/day

one bottle = 1 pint = half liter = you get the idea
Yes, this sounds like a lot, but water is one of the most important keys to staying healthy.

In addition you are going to want to do cardio. Take your pick: run swim bike, or anything of the nature that will get you sweating for about 30-45 mins. You may have to work up to this time, and remember you do NOT have to kill yourself every time you work out! This isn't healthy!

I haven't edited this or anything so it's going to look kind of crappy but you can ease into this. Don't dive headfirst because you will come up gasping for air in the form of cheetos, fritos, doritos, and any other chip with the "os" on the end. possibly even cheerios. i wish you the best of luck and i'm telling you this CAN work, once you get into a rhythm of eating right and exercising 3-5 times a week, YOU DON'T EVEN NOTICE IT. (yes, seriously.)

So like everyone says, the hardest part of doing something is starting it. Keep this in mind as you begin. Good luck man feel free to PM me as i've been in a situation similar to this..

[ralph]

Wow man thank you for the information. I'm totally going to try this. Just 5 more months till then so it's okay if I make little mistakes to get it down right.

[diaton]

Start with eating healthy, this doesn't take time, just balls. It's pure effort. If you REALLY want to lose weight you'll have the balls not to eat crap. If you eat ice cream and chips ahoy 5 nights a week it's nobody's fault but yours.

On the other hand, exercise takes time, something that not everyone has. But for this too you can get into the groove.