Consumers Digest

Anyone have good fitness advice for a beginner?

Ok, well, I am about 50 - 60 lbs overweight, and desperately want to lose weight. I am 5' 8", and weigh 240. (I know... its disgusting!) I was thinking about going on the Special K Diet Challenge, and seeing if that would show any results in say a month or so of starting it. I was also wondering if any can give me some advice to start exercising, and getting more active. Right now, I sit in my room all day and play video games. That's basically it. I have no motivation to do any physical activities, but if I get onto a specific plan, than I would be able to stick to it. I do not have a gym membership, don't drive, so any exercising would need to be done at home without special equipment. Thanks guys, all input is appreciated!

Public Comments

1. Eat food as close to it's natural state as possible. (Ex. veggies, fruits, beans, seeds, eggs, lean meat/not beef jerky or sandwich meats.) You don't want all those additives, preservatives, fats, food dyes, etc. They mess with your metabolism and toxify your body. Rule of thumb: If it comes in a wrapper, (meaning it's processed,) don't eat it! I would also limit cheese and meat since those are fattening and you can get your calcium and protein from other sources, like leafy greens, and quinoa. Just eat a little less than what you normally do, the goal is to not feel stuffed, just full. Eat many small meals throughout the day to keep the metabolism high and burning. You won't have to count calories, and you will lose weight. Do not starve yourself!! Starvation mode makes you lose muscle and makes you gain fat. When you eat again, your body will hoard fat and your lost muscle will be replaced by fat. Muscle is metabolically active and burns calories even while you are resting, so losing muscle from starving is detrimental. Also you become a skinny fat person, that looks disgusting because there is no muscle tone. If you get cravings, think of what it is you're craving: texture, taste? For example, you crave sweets. Eat fruit. Or drink vanilla almond milk. Or eat butternut squash or sweet potatoes. Or if you crave something salty, have nuts, or have tomatoes or cucumbers with salt. Crunchy, have nuts or seeds These are just some examples. If you crave chocolate, eat the 85% dark chocolate. You will get tons of antioxidants, and more chocolate to satisfy your craving with less junk. Do not drink pop, even diet pop. Diet foods are evil and all the artificial sweeteners WILL make you gain weight. Studies have proven this. Also, spot reducing does not work. You cannot spot reduce. Your body type might either be a pear, apple, hourglass, or rectangle. Losing weight will only make you a smaller version of that body type. "Spot reducing" exercises like squats will only build up the muscle and make it bigger, I suggest you balance out the problem by building up the muscles in the areas that you lack, making you more of an hourglass. Also exercise, constantly challenge your body and you will lose weight! Don’t buy into the acai berry, special K, or colon cleanse scams. They’re scams scams scams!!
2. if you're really unmotivated, i would say you probably should get some workout dvds that have specific plans so you make sure you get your workout in. or there are some 10 minute clips of workouts on youtube that could help you get started.
3. anorexic is the best diet :)
4. nope
5. dude your almost 6 feet just drop 40 lbs by runinng with weights in your hand every morning and eat less processed foods like fresh veggies and meat.....
6. I just started exercising a couple of weeks ago. If you have digital cable you can go to your on demand section and they have works outs there you can do for free. That's what I have been doing. Also if you are a gamer there is always wii fit. My friends have one and it looks like a lot of fun. Also I have finally been able to stick with a workout because I have someone doing it with me, in a sense. We live far away, but we call each other each day to make sure we work out. It helps to be accountable to someone.