19 year old male with too many question! - Weight Loss Message Board

remyzero · 05-16-2004, 01:48 PM

hey guys and gals

well, as the title states im 19 and i have so many questions to ask you all. college is finishing this week so i can finally get back to my weight training and jogging which i had to completely cut out of my schedule lately due to schoolwork. so friday the 21st i'm going to go for my first run of the summer! now, i'm writing this post ultimately because i wanna lose the extra fat (on my stomach especially). i plan on getting back to going to the gym every second day and doing my exercises for back, tricips, biceps, pecs, shoulders, and abs which i have all planned out and am used to doing. every other day i will either go for my 8 or 3 km jog around town

i am a lifeguard, and you all know that the archetypal lifeguard is real buff; i unfortunately dont fit the profile. my shoulders droop a bit and i dont have rock hard pecs or abs (although my abs are finally starting to show). i basically have two questions. will any diet suppliements SAFELY help me lose the fat i cannot stand anymore and will i be able to sleep? secondly, (which is a bit off topic), will protein shakes or creatine help me build muscle? i really wanna get rid of the fat and then get uber ripped for work this summer.

thanks in advance!

peace

Laurie2 · 05-17-2004, 03:16 PM

It is not a matter of just losing bodyfat and THEN exercise. It is also a good combination of diet AND exercise.

Modifying your present diet might all that is needed. Eating 5-6 smaller meals a day...about 3 hours apart. Upping your protein, lowering the carbs...eat more complex ones instead of overly processed (i.e. eat more veggies/whole grains). Cut back the sugar and use only the good fats. Drink plenty of water. Things like that. Protein shakes are for adding more if you are not able to get it through diet alone. While losing the fat and exercising, you should take in about one gram of protein per one pound of lean body mass.

While exercising, like lifting weights, the protein/creatine suppliments will help build up muscle. But not by itself.....a proper diet is the key to overall bodyfat loss and health. Lifting weights will keep the body's metabolism up longer to burn the fat as energy. YOu do need a certain amount of calories to fuel that energy. The idea behind losing bodyfat is burning more calories than taking in.

To be a lifeguard requires a certain amount of strength too....not just becoming "buffed" to look good. A good exercise program combining both weights and cardio should be looked into. From what you are saying, you are doing this now...but getting abit impatient to get there. Dont. To get to your goal, time, patience and determination is the key. You dont want to lose form and get injuries. Building up the shoulders is a matter of doing shoulder presses, lateral raises and even squats....believe it or not. That hits 70% of the core muscle mass. Good for the legs, glutes, abs and back too. But I am sure you know this.

As for suppliments, there are people here who swear by certain ones and may come in here to let you know. I do not use them. I lost 62lbs over nearly a year and half by taking a Women's Strength class (lifting) and ran with the premise. Found I liked lifting and, at 52, getting my flexibility back as well as improve overall health. Been overweight for most of my life and just plain got sick and tired of it.

If your motivation is to become a lifeguard....then go for it!

remyzero · 05-17-2004, 07:16 PM

thanks for all the info laurie

i plan on changing my diet, but i don't understand how people live the strict egg white, nuts and veggie diet. i do plan on watching my diet, but i do find it tough changing it completely around.

as for being a lifeguard, i love my job and i know its not just about being buff. but only you knew how many people look at me with strange eyes when they see i have no six pack (although it is coming slowly). its just a bit frustrating.

although i say all this, i dont want anyone to believe that im doing this for my external apprearance to please others. it is a personal goal for me to look in the mirror and truly like what im seeing, getting that motivation out of just looking at myself.

anyways thanks again,

any other comments?

Laurie2 · 05-18-2004, 04:37 AM

Oops, misread that you are Already a lifeguard!

But still...dont be self concienous about those other "eyes". Yes, it can be frustrating but just turn that feeling into a postive motivation. YOU can see the transformation and that is all that is important. Eventually, those abs will shine through. But it is not all just "looks". It is who you are inside from knowing what you can do, and may have done, with the skills you acquired. It is deeper than the skin.

Yes, I see those kind of posts too and wonder. It would not work for me...that much I know.

Upping your protein is simple enough. Skinnless chicken, lean red meat, tuna, cottage cheese....and yes, the egg whites if you want. Complex carbs like beans, lentils will also give you added protein as well as the fiber you need along with the vitamins/nutrients. Why veggies are good for the same reasons. Nuts are a source of polyunsaturate fats...the "good" ones as well as protein (taken in moderation because of the fat content) It might not be completely changing it around but just a matter of modifying abit.

remyzero · 05-18-2004, 06:20 AM

thanks again laurie you rock