Hey all....I've been a member here for a while but i usually just look around on the forums...u know the quiet type. Anyway, to my point...im mad! Mad at myself. I'm 20 years old and weigh about 145...im also about 5'8. I'm not really fat but I feel fat....i can wear 4-6 size but they are getting too small...well heck I'm prolly fat to others but it hurts to think that others might think that way about me. Ive never been the muscular, just the flabby type...so when i wear jeans i look smaller but when i wear shorts it just all hangs out...know what I mean. I have no muscles at all. My legs have no definition...oh and did i mention that my arms flap in the wind...yea its great! I have a treadmill and I walk on it about every other day sometimes everyday, just depends on the day, for around an hour. But ive been doing this for a few months and im just gaining weight. I know I dont eat right but I dont have the money to go buy the foods i need to eat. I'm so frustrated because I dont know what to do...and i'm mad. But anyway i guess I'll shut up now because I've rambled long enough....just someone tell me something that will help...

Hello, fellow Mississippian! Welcome.

Your feelings are understandable, I felt the same when I started. I had to muddle through everything, even with the excellent advice I found here. At the time, I also was short on money, and had an idea that it cost too much too be fit, to eat the right foods. (I still can't afford a gym.) But anyway, I soon learned this truth: Health food is expensive. Health-y food is not expensive! I have had to totally reform my ideas about food and shopping. Also about exercise.

I'd like you to also consider this- you say you are 20 years old and mad about your condition... well I say that is great that you are 20 years old. As you age, your ability to adapt to new situations decreases. It's also harder to change bad habits later on, because you come to depend on them. Get mad, but not at yourself. You could potentially change your whole physical (and possibly other) life around within a year or so, and still be young enough to look forward to being fine in your 20's. It may take you a while to find out what works for you, but as long as you're trying, you are making progress.

Hey there,

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I'm 25, 5'8" and weigh about 160#. I've always weighed about that and I've felt flabby most of my teenage thru early adult life. This past year, my sister passed away and I started EATING EATING & EATING. I was really depressed, my job was crap, and I felt really alone. That's when I decided to stop being mad at myself (although I have the occasionaly slipups like when I misplaced my keys today!) and channel my energy into working out.
Walking on the treadmill is a good start, but after a while, your body is going to get used to the effort and you'll plateau. The only way to get rid of that flab is to beef up your cardio & do some weight training
If you can afford it, I'd recommend getting a personal trainer. Trainers can provide you with a tailored and well-rounded workout, the proper form & technique (VERY IMPORTANT) and can also give your motivation a boost.
If you can't afford a trainer, this website is FULL of good advice and the people are really helpful. Also, try going to a local YMCA (they'll generally be cheaper than a gym) and ask about what kind of programs they offer. The social aspect can be a great motivator too.
The other thing I suggest is set a goal for yourself. In the past, I always worked out because I wanted to 1)eat what I wanted or 2)fit into a size 8 (i've been a 12 most of my life). For me, those goals weren't realistic and I'd stop working out. This year, I decided I want to do a triathalon. So I HAVE to watch what I eat and workout ALOT (but be smart about it). Maybe tri isn't your speed (it's not for everybody ;)), but there are a lot of 5k races (that's 3.2 miles and it's a realistic goal for a beginner) out there and they are good ways to meet people.
That's my two cents worth! Hope you find it helpful... also, don't be afraid to ask for help! That's what the community is there for!
:gl:

PS: I FINALLY fit into a size 8 :tucool:

I'm in Mississippi too! I know how you feel. Until a year or so ago I never really exercised and I wasn't an active kid AT ALL. I've never really had any muscle whatsoever so, while I started at a size 8, I didn't look near as good as most people wearing the same size. I'm finally starting to gain some real muscle and look better in my clothes and, although it's taken forever, I've started to feel a little better about how I look in shorts and stuff. I agree with the advice given by the others. Good luck!

Hey, Ive been MAD too lol...actually Im mad al the time...I use this anger to kick ass at lifting..which in turn makes me happy (if that even makes sense...) Anyway...youll do great if you just stick to it. Hope ya feel better! :tu:

Hey yall.... I'm glad to know that some of yall knows exactly where I'm coming from.

Anyway, coroseben-well I can't exactly afford a personal trainer...and where I'm from I doubt there are any around lol....I live in a very small town...I can, however, set a goal for myself but I wont be able to lift weights...all I could do is walk on the treadmill. So frustrating...I wish I knew someone with some weights or something. BUT my goal is to be 120 and look better....I dont wanna go on some crazy diet and just lose weight...I want to be lean and not flabby! Oh yea...congrats on fitting into a size 8...I know that makes you feel better..I know it would me! ;)

jlforbess- I know what u mean when u said fitting into a size 8 and didn't look near as good wearing the same size....I know exactly..I feel like I look awful in my size...

But thats enough for now...thank you all for the support...it means alot!! Oh and to my fellow mississippians..where about are yall from?

Cassie

If you have a Walmart nearby (and who doesn't?) they have everything you need to get started lifting weights. A 40lb set of adjustable dumbbells is around $23.00, and a "swiss" ball (those big things) is about $12.00... with those two things you can put together a great weight training routine and have enough weight to get you through the first six months or so. After that, if you buy another dumbbell set, you're probably good for another six months. Your total investment is less than $65 for the year. I've got a three-days-a-week training program for women using only that equipment here on my computer somewhere... let me know if you want it and I'll post it up here.

Without saying exactly what town I live in, I'll say it's about an hour south of Hattiesburg and right next to a well known (in this part of the staye) community college town. :D

About the weights- you say you can't lift em'- I'm assuming you mean you can't afford them right now. When I began i was super poor, yall. I had to buy one or two a week (and that wasnt too expensive, since they were lighter weights) with the tips I made. And I put a 20 dollar weight bench and some cheap running shoes on layaway. I have no room in my house for all this stuff, but I pile it up behind my couch.

I'm from the Hattiesburg area....we moved when I was young to another part of MS...but thats cool!

Those are some good ideas...thanks! I'm gonna save up a little bit of money and get a few things...