How can I lose weight?

Question

Before any of you say "Exercise you lazy bum", I just want to point out that I have weak ankles which I will be getting operated and I have shortnesd of breath.

I tried eating less fattening foods, drinking lots of water and no soda, and trying to eat small meals.I also take diet pills. Two different kind.

Ive even skipped meals. I've even been thinking of purging put I font want to ruin my teeth or mouth.

Is there amy other way to lose weight?

MrOracle · Accepted Answer

You are doing a lot right already. Most people have no idea how many extra, empty calories they get from liquids. Juices, sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks (!), and even "flavored" water is full of calories. Drinking only plain water helps a lot.

Increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, eat less pre-cooked/prepared meals (i.e., frozen foods). less fats and sugars, and small portions of lean meat (you need protein). 4-5 small meals a day is best.

Finally, get 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 3-4 days a week. You need to keep your heart rate up. You can try elliptical machines or swimming, both of which have minimal impact on your ankles, and are a good aerobic workout. You can also do sit-ups, knee-bend push-ups, leg lifts, and other exercises that build muscle and core strength without risking your ankles.

Do all this, and expect the fat to come off slowly. Your actual WEIGHT might not come down very much, but your SIZE should change. You're going to have a decrease in stored fat, but you'll also have an increase in muscle mass, and muscle is denser than fat, so it weighs more by volume. But it's really not about weight as much as it is about size and shape, and this will improve size and shape (and health).

Do not skip meals, and do not over-do your workouts. You don't want to put your body into "starvation mode", which is what happens when you make your body think that it has to store resources (fat) for the future. A decent, reasonable amount of effort is enough, and too much is counter-productive.

Theguyoverthere · Accepted Answer

Honestly, your best bet is to lose weight slowly. If you lose it too fast you are likely to gain it back because you probably went the starvation route which means you'll then binge eat when you get to the weight you want.

Find out how many calories your body needs daily and go slightly below that. Definitely stay away from the fattening foods(check calories from fat on the backs of all your foods) and all that like you been doing.

Don't skip meals though! Skipping meals has the possiblity of backfiring and causing your body to decrease metabolism and even store excess fat in reserve. Many people recommend more meals but in small portions throughout the day so you don't overdo it having three large meals a day.

Water's great. Always drink it. Trash the diet pills. They are pretty much scams. The amount of fat they've been known to burn is so minimal that they are pretty much a waste of money.

Don't purge! My mother knew a patient who pulled that stunt and yes your teeth get ruined.

If you can do cardio work because of your ankles I would say an elliptical is your best bet. It can boost your metabolism which is an excellent help in weight loss. You want to increase your metabolism as much as possible. Hopefully you have a doctor that can work with you on your ankles and breathing issues.

madhatters4 · Answer

based on my math of conversion (or google) you're 5'4 and about 119lbs. Looking at you're pictures you are truly truly beautiful.

Based on your stipulations (weak ankels, dieting, bla, bla) maybe try yoga. I know that really helps build lean muscle, flexibility and discipline. all of which can help you lose weight.

Do not purge, it is not only bad for your teeth but your stomach, esophagus, and your mental state of mind (you say you're mentally fine, but I'd re-examine that when you are talking about inducing eating disorders because based on DSM those are diagnosable mental illnesses)

Honestly your beautiful and I hope you can see that. Maybe try yoga, check out various types of diets that stimulate your metabolism (candida, eating lots of fibers and green leafy veggies)... but most of all learn to love yourself

jamesma87 · Answer

Don't skip meals and such, usually has the opposite effect long term on your body as it encourages your body to store fat to protect itself. You want to be eating a lot of small snacks throughout the day instead which increases your metabolism ( your body thinks food is plentiful so doesn't need to store fat) and try to just eat until you're not hungry anymore and no further. Be content and not full. Aim for around 6-8 meals or snacks a day. Avoid drinking anything other than water.

Don't eat any fast food, or anything high in saturated or transfats. Try to keep sugar, sodium to low levels as well

Then your diet will be super clean and you don't have to worry about exercising as much

TheGodEmperorLeto · Answer

You don't seem to be overweight from your pics lol. If you wanna lose weight, well, advice alraedy given has been good. Eat less, but eat more frequently (so less over all, but spread out more in the day), walk as much as you can if you can or do things at home like sit ups and crunches and whatnot. Those should help tone you and burn calories.

But ya, you don't really seem like you need to lose weight.

Prof_Don · Answer

You're doing well with the food intake. BTW do you know what these diet pills actually do? I would look up the diet pills so you know how they work and what side effects they have

A way to exercise in a way that won't put stress on your ankles is swimming. Very useful for rehabbing injury because swimming is zero impact so it no stress on the joints.

Also doing weight training (avoiding exercises like squats or lunges because of stress on ankles). To work out the lower body, use the weight machines so no stress is put on your ankles.

P.S. No purging...please don't do that. :(

martyfellow · Answer

There's no way without work and discipline..if you're having trouble getting started, sign up with Weight Watchers or a similar organization. They give you a detailed plan, moral support, and supervision...and take away all the guesswork about calorie counting.

Once you get used to a new lifestyle, you can handle things on your own.

WeaponZero · Answer

Between this and your other question pertaining to self harm, you seem like someone who is more than likely asking out of disordered eating/thoughts than someone who legitimately wants to lose weight.  You should ask a doctor this, NOT someone on this forum.  You should also be open with them about your self harm and your (possibly) disordered body image issues.  Let them make that call, NOT somebody on this forum.  And please, talk to your parents about this.

RipperRoo · Answer

instead of big meals a few times a day you should eat smaller portions more frequently. Skipping meals will only make you eat even more next time. And eat slower.

kheserthorpe · Answer

What pills are you taking?   What's happening to your weight since you've been eating like this? Give me a full typical day of what you eat, and your current height/weight.

Deft_maiden · Answer

It appears that self image is what you need to work on, not weight loss.

loda1994 · Answer

since I am naturally skinny I would advice. drinking 3 cups of water during meals. and if you are still hungry after meals just drink more water (this is not a healthy way to lose weight )

yaddayaddayadda02 · Answer

If you're really 119 @ 5'5" and the pics are you...you have a mental issue with your weight that exercise and diet can't fix.

sa230e · Answer

Why? You looks just fine already.

ladsin · Answer

take in less calories than you expend... pretty easy its not rocket science...

Anonymous · Answer

you know what , don't eat and no drink no sex from sunrise to sunset try to do some sport in the morning like running running is very good and do not use the internet ! wake up early have a shower drink a cup of milk before sunrise and some water than don't eat anything else to sunset after 2 or 3 hours from sunset goto sleep well of course when sunset eat and drink but not much and eat natural food no for man's food ! you know what  I mean ;)

Dragan · Answer

You move more and eat the same. Swimming is especially good, running in a plastic suit. sex in plastic suit is good too.

maiez · Answer

Try sweating in a sauna or doing hot yoga.

xzinax2 · Answer

what are you eating and what's your estimated BMR?

Anonymous · Answer

oh sry I didn't see under 18 , and please relax !

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