im a 19 year old college student and i just met a girl. We flirt alot and are really good friends but i want to get her attention by losing wieght over the summer.
I am 5'10 and 220bs and i would like to lose 40 pounds over the summer
im not terribly overwieght but i used to smoke alot of weed and got lazy while i was in college
i would like to get back into the habit of running everyday but i cant seem to jog for more than 6 or 7 minutes
are there fat burning workouts that anyone could help me with?
should i take cafine pills?
Should i lift wieghts if im trying to get smaller or should i stick with the cardio?

Hi Crazy and welcome to NeuroTalk. I'm not a big fan of taking extra caffeine. If running is hard for you, why not try walking? It's great for your bones, muscles and if at a faster pace, cardio also.

I used to manage a fitness club, until my health forced me to face reality and quit. I loved the way it felt to work out. Now, I try to walk when I can and I have an Urban Rebounder, which rebounds your feet, so there's little impact on your body. It also has a bar to hold onto.

Good luck w/your wt loss and again, welcome to our lil corner of the world..

Oh, and I'm a big fan of WW's, as you know you are going to get on that WW scale, so it makes you accountable for what you have eaten that wk. It's also a great place to meet people and talk w/others who are going through the exact same wt loss struggles. *no, I do not work for them, I was a member yrs ago and I still remember my WW days w/fondness, plus some of their good "rules" are ingrained in my lil ole brain*

HI Crazy:

It's very good that you found someone that you like and want to impress. And it's very good that you want to lose 40 lbs over the summer.

However, if you lose the 40 lbs, and you don't get the girl, what's going to happen? Are you going to get depressed, and start chomping on stuff you should not chomp on?? That's what emotional eaters do. It's no different than lighting up that piece of weed (and kudos to you for stopping this behavior).

Losing weight is the hardest thing and keeping it off is the second hardest thing. Stopping any kind of self destructive behavior is very difficult. We eat (this applies to overeaters), we eat because it makes us feel good and we like the way it calms us down, and it makes everything all right between us and everybody else.

However, it's self-destructive. I speak from experience. It also leads to obesity, diabetes, and a host of self-destructive behaviors. We tend not to like ourselves to much because then we develop self image problems.

If you wish to lose 40 lbs (and keep those 40 lbs off), then you have to have a lifestyle change (not just to get the girl but to save your life).

To do this, you should have a physical, rule out anything that might be harming your body, and then start a healthy eating plan along with an exercise routine.

Now am I asking you to go out and buy a treadmill?? Of course not, because it will wind up as a coat rack. 90% of people who buy exercise machines, don't use them and they end up hanging their clothes on them.

The same also applies to gym memberships. Some people go for a week or two, then they get lazy and say "oh the heck with this".

You sound young and if you are, then you have a very good chance at reaching a normal weight and prevent major health problems.

Even if you choose not to go to the doctor, you can still start a good eating plan. Eat fish several times a week. Don't fry anything. Keep away from sugar. Use less salt. If you are a meat eater, then choose lean cuts of beef. Don't eat things like sausage or frankfurters, hot dogs, cold cuts, because these are full of sodium and nitrates. Your body doesn't need these things.

Your body needs fresh fruits and vegetables. Do you cook?? If not, and you still live at home, try and speak to the cook in the house and see if they can go along with this new cooking regime.

This is YOUR body. This is YOUR life. Don't drink too much soda.

And especially, DO NOT USE CAFFEINE PRODUCTS. I know all the diet pills are stimulants, and have caffeine, But they really over load it and you'll get jittery.

You can achieve what you need to achieve (providing you don't have any thyroid issues going on, that's why I suggested getting a physical).

Eat good foods. Put good stuff into your body, and your body will respond.

And you have to move. This is essential. You can eat all the good stuff, but if you don't expend the calories, well, you won't lose.

You want to build lean muscle. That means weight bearing exercises. Do you have any dumbells around. Lifting weights burns fat and builds muscle.

But you have to eat when you do this. The biggest tip I can give you is tell you to watch the tv show "THE BIGGEST LOSER".

If you don't have this (I don't know where you live), but you can access the website online.

These people have lost tremendous amounts of weight by eating correctly and working out. You will see the before and after photos.

This really can be your turning point. You can lose 40 lbs.

I used to weigh 300 lbs at one time.

So I know what I'm talking about.

It takes discipline, and motivation.

This new girl is the starting point. The rest is up to you.

Good luck hon!!!

Hi Crazy! Welcome to NeuroTalk!

I'm no expert but a true case of less is more where food is concerned. Not just less food, but less preparation and embellishment. In other words, eat when you're hungry but eat intelligently. My main thing is to eat foods as close to the way God made them as possible, and if you can get it from the driver's seat, it's not food!

I hope you'll find a path that works for you and good luck with your lady friend.

Hi there Mr. Crazy;

I had to respond to you because my son was in your position (minus the girl to impress) not too many years ago. Stress eating put the weight on fast. One day he was thin and it seemed like the next day he was looking pretty portly. He already had issues with self-esteem and this did not help him at all. But HE had to decide when to loose it, and he did.

All he did was walk. He walked just about everywhere. To work and back, over a mile each way. To a place to meet friends, the movie theatre, etc. He also cut out soda almost completely and drank water. It was cheaper and better for him. And, in about 6 months all the extra weight came off and has stayed off for over 3 years now.

It doesn't have to be hard but it does take an honest effort on your part.

GOOD LUCK!
Nancy-H

hello and welcome,

i understand your struggle.
i think it's best to stay away from caffeine and any drugs.
i'd stick to the basics. eat less, portion control, less carbs and more fruits and veggies.

i believe on the exercise regimen that you could find a place that you can tolerate. back off the running and walk, or walk fast. if you find you can handle 10 minutes start there and work up, gradually.

as time goes on you'll be able to work up in length of time or advancing to a more physical type of exercise.

water sports is good during the summer.
biking is great too.
try to find something that a bit of fun.

good luck.

Hi Crazy,
I can't resist asking if you like to swim. I found that a good way to use every muscle in your body. It's a good summer sport also. Just find the most important reason you want to lose and you can do it. Please come in and we will come and try to find things that will help you. After you get started, you will have the motivation to go on and lose more. I am doing it.
Billie