I really need to loose weight. I lost my grandma last year from heart problems, my mom just got out of the hopsital for heart problems, my other grandma is in the hospital from a stokes, and my dad may have had a mini heart attack yesterday!
I'm in my early 20's and weight 275 lbs,
I need help here, can anyone give me advise?
I'm scared that I will be next.
:eek:

I can understand your fear. My father died of a massive heart attack at 51. My mom is 66 and has had two knee replacements, has type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. And that does not scratch the surface of my horribal genetic history. Whew!!!

Ok, so you are concerned and want to do something about it. Good for you! That is a good start. You have realized what you need to change. I would suggest going to your doctor and getting a full physical. Know what is going on with your body. Your doc should do all the proper blood tests. This will tell you your total body functions such as kidney function, cholesterol, triglycerdes (sp), thyroid, etc. Discuss your family history and weight problems and get advice.

Then, it's down to what you eat and exercise. Try out Weight Watchers. It is so so so hard to eat right. But you can do it. Learn the word "no". Very important. Weight Watchers will help you balance it all. Eat right, but not starve or deprive. Portions are sooo important. Start walking. Join a gym and get in the habit. Don't over do. Then you will get sore and give up. Keep mini goals and increase them weekly. Weight Watchers teaches you how to keep a food journal. I found that helps keep me honest and think about what I am eating. Also, bring your lunches. That way, you have meals planned. You know what you are eating and it is also easier to say no to eating out and bad food. I also stopped eating out a lot. Planning meals is important!

I gained a lot of weight from hypothyroid. It really sucks. I went to my doctor, got the proper medication and I've been exercising and trying to eat less. And now I've lost six pounds. Not a lot, but a start,

Remember, you can take control and lose weight. None of us will end up on the cover of magazines, but if you try and lose some weight, excerise regularly you will keep heart disease and diabetes at bay. Trust me, I've seen my mom and it's no fun. I wish the best luck for you.

make sure you have no medical conditions causing your weight (ie. thyroid.) once that is out of the way accept that it will take 1-3 years for you to get to your ideal weight.

then, make the lifestyle change. I say lifestyle change because that is what it is.

start counting your calories every day.

also start exercising (even if its only going for a 30 minute walk every evening.)

the only way to lose fat and increase lean muscle mass is to eat healthy, eat a resounable amount of calories, and exercise.

you will also have to increase your exercise over time as your body adjusts to various levels of activity.

also, the big key is when you hit weight loss plateaus (and you will) that you stick to the diet and exercise routine (eventually the plateau will end.) even though theres no such thing as a plateau really (the weight loss may stall for a while, but your body is still shedding fat and adding lean muscle.)

But don't go into losing weight with 1, 3, or even 6 month goals. Don't even let it be a "mission". You have to see it as a lifestyle change. It's a marathon process that never ends.

Also, doing things gradually is better. Some poeple slash their calories drastically and start doing insane amounts of exercise. Two things usually happen: their body quickly adjusts (negating both the calories reduction effects and the exercise benefits) and the process is so tiring that they can only keep it up for a month or two.

all you have to do to lose weight is make a lifestyle change. Eat healthy, consume 2500 calories a day (for your size that's actually a reduced caloric intake), and get 30 minutes of exercise a day (more if your body can handle it).

also, dont even bother cutting your cals if you dont exercise also. if you reduce cals without exercise your body will actually eat up your lean muscle before it eats the fat. Exercise is the key (it keeps yoru lean muscle in tact, and actually increases your resting metabolic rate.)

oh, and start reading about diet and exercise on the web, lots of good sites with information.

hope all that helped.
J