[DPooch]

Let's just put it this way:
I'm not the skinniest person in the world,
but I'm not the HUGE people you hear about on the news every four damn seconds.
I want to work out and stuff, start lifting weights, anything.

Don't come here and be like "lawl diet n exersyze"
and if you are, at least be specific.

Thanks.

[darren]

What are your eating habits like?

You can accomplish a lot in a relatively short time by doing a few simple things:

- cut out fatty foods
- reduce your sodium intake
- reduce your sugar and starch intake (this includes sugar-filled soft drinks and a lot of fruit juices)
- eat LOTS of fresh fruits and vegetables
- eat lean protein
- exercise portion control
- eat regular, healthy snacks
- drink lots of water

[jaxadam]

What he said. And +10 on the drinking lots of water.

Plus, incorporating some form of exercise will really help, but I would not recommend you automatically start running 6 miles a day and hit the gym 4 times a week to get your benches up to 225. Maybe in 6 months, but not now...

You need to start off slow, and if you want to actually see results that will last, it will take a very long time.

I've seen people that change their diet dramatically and start working out like crazy and they end up either blowing up, or getting very slim and then fluctuate uncomfortably. I've had many friends do both of these things.

There are so many factors that go into body chemistry and your physical appearance.

Simply put:

If you're not very active, and your eating habits are something to be desired, start off limiting some of what you consider as junk, and start doing a few isometric exercises.

When you start feeling a little better, consider getting the advice of a personal trainer at a gym and learn to train certain areas that will be beneficial to your overall physical appearance. Everyone is different and has a different body structure, and it may not be beneficial to do heavy squats and leg presses if you are bottom heavy. Take it slow, and chart your progress.

A good combo of cardio and muscle training, with a relatively normal diet will help you achieve your goals.

[DPooch]

Originally Posted by jaxadam

+10 on the drinking lots of water.

How about diet stuff?

I like Lipton Diet Raspberry White Tea

No cals, some taste.

[darren]

Water is better.

[jaxadam]

Water, lean protein, complex carbs, some sugars, some fats.

This was what I ate for a very long time, but I was also walking about 5 miles a day, lifting 4 days a week, and studying and teaching Tae Kwon Do:

P.S. I was also on a budget.

Breakfast, 6:00 AM: Cereal or oatmeal, coffee, grapefruit juice, banana.

Snack, 10:00 AM: Peanut butter crackers and an orange.

Lunch, 12:00 PM: Turkey sandwich on wheat, pepsi, apple, chips and salsa.

Snack: 3:00 PM: 6 Chicken nuggets from McDonalds.

Dinner: 6:00 PM: Salad (always ate the salad first), lean protein (chicken, salmon, pork, lean beef), vegetable (steamed broccolli, green beans,etc.) and carb (rice, pasta, or potato).

Snack, 10:00 PM: 1 scoop ice cream.

Hardly any alcohol.

It would vary, because some days I wouldn't eat exactly like this, but breakfast, lunch, and dinner stayed pretty consistent (as far as clean and portions). I was also in college so the alcohol thing changed quite a bit!

[Drew]

What darren said, what DO you eat normally? I know you're not looking for "diet and exercise" as an answer, but the reason that's the one you always hear is becauuse that's really the only way to do it - there's no "magic bullet" that'll make you instantly slim with six pack abs.

Also, you're 15 - I'd be pretty careful here, whatever you do. You can get into a lot of trouble with poor eating habits at your age.

[7 Strings of Hate]

i hear time and time again from ufc fighters and nhl players, both of which i assume are a pretty legit source of fitness info, that they eat often and in small amounts, instead of just eating 2 larger meals, eat 5 or 6 times but in smaller amounts, they said that its usually the same amount of food, but when given small amounts more often it keeps your metabolizim working all through the day

[Jason]

Originally Posted by DPooch

How about diet stuff?

I like Lipton Diet Raspberry White Tea

No cals, some taste.

There AWFUL. Avoid diet drinks that contain artifical sweetners esp Aspartame.

Also don't cut all fats there are dif types of fats. You want to avoid trans fats which tend to make you fatter than regular fats.

Good fats are ie: Olive oil,Nuts and avocados

Bad fats are ie: Fried foods, Saturated fats, trans fats and Hydrogenated oils. Two common examples of hydrogenated oil are Crisco and margarine.

Also choose lower fat dairy IE: Skim milk instead of whole milk or low fat cheese instead of whole fat cheese.

Carbs keep em complex not simple. IE: Whole wheat bread,Brown Rice,Oatmeal and Sweet potatoes or red potatoes VS White bread,white rice and regular white or yellow potatoes.

The reason for this is complex carbs have more fiber in them and take longer to break down in your body ad keep your blood sugar stable. Simple or fast digesting carbs have much less fiber and cause your blood sugar to spike and you will be more likely to store these as fat instead of burning them. You will also have a "crash" and alot of times get a sweet craving.

Lean proteins should be Grilled chicken (IE not breaded or fried) Lean beef, Fish/Tuna and lean turkey is ok sometimes.

So your basic "diet" Should consist of Lean proteins, Good fats and complex carbs. Protein(from meat) and fiber (from complex carbs and fruits and veggies) will keep you feeling full and satisfied.

Hope that all made sense.

[Leon]

it's been said, but start slow. your body is always trying to keep itself balanced. if you throw a lot of diet 'tricks' at it, which may get you your results very quickly, your body will do it's best you get you back to where you started... to rebalance itself.

change your diet here and there, not radically. it's better for your body, and easier on your taste buds . "teaching" yourself to like whole grain breads and lean meats is a good way to develop better eating habits throughout life.