Okay, someone give me some advice about weight & exercising

[Lauren!]

I'll give you a little background info if that helps.
Welll i'm a little less than 5'5, and I weight around 125 lbs, it fluxuates though, randomly.
I've been a vegetarian for about 6 years now.
I'm 17 btw.
Well, i've been trying to lose weight since the day I was born.
Hahaha not really, but it seems like i'm always trying to lose weight.
I've struggled a lot with anorexic and bulimic tendencies, my weight has been lower, it's been higher, but right now I feel like I need to tone up and lose at least 10 lbs, I think i'll look better then.
I used to be a fat ass kid haha i've lost a fair amount of weight, though.
I've been running a mile in the morning, 2 miles in the afternoon, and 2-6 miles in the evening.
In the evening i'll run a bunch and also do high-incline powerwalking on my treadmill.
I also do a bunch of excercises on my excercise ball.
I'm also trying to eat ENOUGH because that was one of my problems.
Is there anything else I should add to my routines?
Am I doing enough yet?


Any advice is greatly appreciated. <3 :smitten:

[broccolichick]

You could be my twin. I'm just short of 5'5 and around 125 lbs (and I've been + and - 20 lbs off my current weight). I've also struggled with eating disordered behaviors. I'm nowhere near as active as you are though, that's amazing. I work long hours on my feet though (I work at two bars), but it doesn't help. I just eat more. I've happened to gain weight going from vegetarian to vegan, which was kind of discouraging.

[Lauren!]

You could be my twin. I'm just short of 5'5 and around 125 lbs (and I've been + and - 20 lbs off my current weight). I've also struggled with eating disordered behaviors. I'm nowhere near as active as you are though, that's amazing. I work long hours on my feet though (I work at two bars), but it doesn't help. I just eat more. I've happened to gain weight going from vegetarian to vegan, which was kind of discouraging.

Wow, how weird!
We're so similar haha.
Are you trying to lose weight now or are you happy with how you look?

[codemonkey]

You definitely don't need to lose any weight. You're pretty active so make sure you're eating enough and taking care of your knees with all that running. Also make sure you take at least one day of rest per week. You can really injure yourself if you don't. Have you done any weight training? If you're not, it would be good to mix some in a few times a week, maybe in place of some of the running. Building muscle is great for your bones and will keep you from putting on fat as you get older. You might weigh a little more on the scale, but it would be muscle instead of fat.

[sybaritik]

My advice is don't do so much running......it's really bad for your joints.

I recommend walking. :)


.

[Licence]

Agree with codemonkey. Weights are the next step.

A lot of girls think they only have to look at weights and they'll become all muscular and unsexy. Nothing could be further from the truth, primarily because girls lack testosterone, which helps make muscle. But also because building muscle takes such a long time!

Pushing weights gives you so many health benefits though, besides giving you a fitter, more toned look. Also did you know that each one pound of muscle burns off 50 calories / day, whereas one pound of fat does nothing good for you at all?

Although I have to say, if that's you in your avatar, you look pretty good to me already!

(Also I don't think you're running too much, so long as you have at least one day off running a week.)

[broccolichick]

Wow, how weird!
We're so similar haha.
Are you trying to lose weight now or are you happy with how you look?

I don't know. I go through phases, but I also realize that my perception of my body is not reality (i.e., I cannot recognize that people my same size are actually my same size, I perceive them as thinner). I compulsively squeeze my back fat and love handles. I think right now I'm primarily sticking with weight maintenance, but I try very hard not to actively restrict.

[sarahjayn1980]

I used to weigh over 300 lbs. I did cardio, I never have been a big eater, etc, but I kept packing on the pounds. What turned me around? Weight training. License and Code are right - - its something to look into. Also, be careful you're no wrecking your metabolism with your diet.

[Lauren!]

I don't know. I go through phases, but I also realize that my perception of my body is not reality (i.e., I cannot recognize that people my same size are actually my same size, I perceive them as thinner). I compulsively squeeze my back fat and love handles. I think right now I'm primarily sticking with weight maintenance, but I try very hard not to actively restrict.



Same exact thing here!
Wow, you read my mind haha.
Well, just remember to stay healthy hun!

[Hummusisyummus]

Are you sure you have that much to lose?

http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

The BMI calculator doodad is putting your height and 115lbs at the low end of healthy. That sounds like playing with fire for someone who's had anorexia and bulimia problems.

I think you should talk to a doctor before you try to lose weight.

Also, 5-9 miles of running per day sounds really excessive to me.

[Eco_Jihadist]

You definitely don't need to lose any weight. You're pretty active so make sure you're eating enough and taking care of your knees with all that running. Also make sure you take at least one day of rest per week. You can really injure yourself if you don't. Have you done any weight training? If you're not, it would be good to mix some in a few times a week, maybe in place of some of the running. Building muscle is great for your bones and will keep you from putting on fat as you get older. You might weigh a little more on the scale, but it would be muscle instead of fat.absolutely! I think its ridiculous how many girls are er weightliftingophobic!

[crazycutie]

Judging by your previous thread concerning your eating, I would reccommend therapy for your eating disorder and discussing with a physician if it is really appropriate for you to lose weight.

[DoctorB2B]

While I don't carry Dr. in front of my name just yet, I am a med student and do have certifications with ISSA and ACE so I am aware of the goings on when it comes to fitness and the human body.

Now that my credentials are out there, by no means are you in a position to lose weight. You could atually stand to gain 5-10lbs. And you can do this with the incorporation of weights. Psychologically, you will find this very difficult to see the number on the scale increase while your body begins to build muscle tone.

With the addition of muscle comes a faster rate of metabolism. The theory of "I don't want to bulk" isn't possible with a woman in most cases.

As was stated, women don't have enough testosterone to actually build muscle at a rapid pace and therefore can't really "get big". Plus, it's necessary to eat big to get big. I doubt you're eating big.

I would advise adding 3 days of weights to your routine and cut out 1-2 days of heavy cardio. Consider adding two days of upper body work and 1 day of lower body work. Most women struggle when it comes to upper body work so that is why I recommend the majority of your weight training be spent on upper body.

-Doc

[Ilurvebroccoli]

I agree with the above. I know what you've gone through, as I have lived with the same mindset all my life. My main advice: STOP WEIGHING YOURSELF. Really, weight doesn't matter, its how you look in the mirror, Certainly you look fine. I started weight training 3 yrs ago, and I have gained 20lbs, but am slimmer.

The running is quite alot. You should run prob a couple miles once daily, about 3-4 days a week. And add in some strength training as well.

In this, you will have to up your calories. If you are eating low cal now, start slowly upping your calories til you reach at least 2,000. Maybe add in a protein shake before and after your daily run, this will increase your calories witout you feeling like your eating alot.

We want to make sure your healthy, and it took me 4 years to recover for my ED, so it wont be easy. I see a therapist weekly, who is very helpful. I would reccomend finding one in your area that specializes with ED and EDNOS treatment. It will really help you tons.

But really, weighing yourself is the worst thing when you have an eating disorder.

Good luck. And if you need anyone to talk to, I'm always here :)

[Licence]

The running is quite alot. You should run prob a couple miles once daily, about 3-4 days a week. And add in some strength training as well.

Hey broccoli, how's it going, are you running yet after your fall?

You gave the OP lots of great advice, but I'm not sure why you think she should only be running 2 miles a day, 3-4 times a week. Gee, some people run that distance just to warm up!

How do you know the OP isn't training for a marathon or something! OK she probably isn't, but anyway I think 2 miles isn't that much at all!

[a7dk]

I'm a doctoral student in clinical psychology - specifically eating disorders. Excessive exercise, along with your preoccupation with your weight and your history of disordered eating definitely suggest that you should be seeking some help! Please contact an eating disorders specialist if there is one in your area, or if not try to find a support group - people in support groups are incredibly resourceful and can help you find someone in your area.

[AussieShane]

I agree with the above. I know what you've gone through, as I have lived with the same mindset all my life. My main advice: STOP WEIGHING YOURSELF. Really, weight doesn't matter, its how you look in the mirror, Certainly you look fine. I started weight training 3 yrs ago, and I have gained 20lbs, but am slimmer.

The running is quite alot. You should run prob a couple miles once daily, about 3-4 days a week. And add in some strength training as well.

In this, you will have to up your calories. If you are eating low cal now, start slowly upping your calories til you reach at least 2,000. Maybe add in a protein shake before and after your daily run, this will increase your calories witout you feeling like your eating alot.

We want to make sure your healthy, and it took me 4 years to recover for my ED, so it wont be easy. I see a therapist weekly, who is very helpful. I would reccomend finding one in your area that specializes with ED and EDNOS treatment. It will really help you tons.

But really, weighing yourself is the worst thing when you have an eating disorder.

Good luck. And if you need anyone to talk to, I'm always here :)


spot on... weight doesn't totally equate to fat.

There is water retention, muscle mass, bone mass, body fat.