Newbie trying to lose weight

**Nicola101** · 04-24-2010 11:50 AM

Hi! Umm... so I'm an eighteen year old, 5 ft 6 inches, and I weigh 158 pounds. The really annoying thing about this is that I don't even know how it happened... but I should really explain

First of all, I finished high school having gained 9 pounds in one year. Then in February I decided to go to Italy for a gap year, and unfortunately the only things I can find in Italy are pizza, pasta, pastries and chocolate. In fact the place where I'm staying is famous for its delicious chocolate. I'm a gourmet so naturally I automatically want to try every yummy thing I see. So I ended up gaining another 9 pounds in just 2 months!

On top of that, the family I'm staying with are all skinny and don't understand why I want to go on a diet. They say "you're in Italy! What are you doing trying to diet?!"

The thing is that I go back home for my cousin's wedding in October and I really feel ashamed about the size I am right now. I could put it off, but really I would feel horrible and I don't want to feel this way. I honestly just want to lock myself up in my room and eat celery sticks until I feel better! (I know it doesn't work like that, but still...)

I can't count calories because I'm not the one who does the shopping and I don't have enough money to buy my own food. I want to join a swimming pool but the only swimmers I have is my bikini which I definitely don't fit into anymore. I ordered Dance Dance Revolution online because I heard it helped to lose weight but when it came, it was the wrong region code!

(am I cursed?)

I do a lot of walking currently (at least an hour a day) but it doesn't really feel like exercise.

Can anyone help? What do I do when they get pizza and pasta for dinner? It doesn't help that this morning I had a mini-binge and ate about 6 cookies... they were mini-sized but still...

Anyway, the main reason why I joined this forum is because I want to get involved and make this a fun challenge to get healthy and lose weight at the same time. If I'm not having fun, I will give up before I finish my goal.

SW: 72kilos/158pounds
CW: 72kilos/158pounds
GW: 58kilos/128pounds

Nice to meet you!

Nicola.

**lilydavis2010** · 04-25-2010 07:03 PM

Hi Nicola,
There is nothing harm in gaining weight, but you should try to do some exercise in daily basis. For Example start walking or jogging everyday for atleast 1hr or more. Cut down your intakes of food like pizza, pastry, chocolates etc....just try to control the urge to eat all these foods..I know it's difficult to do that but atlease you can try.

Here are some exercise which you can do to loose weight around your belly
1. Lie on your back with your knees bent towards your chest.
2. Clasp your hands behind your head, keeping your elbows out to the sides.
3. Breathe in and, as you exhale, pull the abdominal muscles in to curve the head, then the upper body, off the floor. As you do so, straighten the legs upwards as far as feels comfortable. Keep the lower back pressed to the floor and point the toes, keeping the abdomen pulled in.
4. Breathe in and, as you exhale, slowly lower your head to the floor while keeping your abdominal muscles pulled in.
5. Bend the knees to the chest and repeat the entire movement 8-10 times.

**LVDesigns** · 04-25-2010 07:23 PM

Actually, it might make you feel better to say that for your height, your ideal weight is 150 pounds. I am 20 years old (or soon to be), 5'7 and weigh 190 pounds. That means I'd have to lose the 40 pounds to weigh that. You're at 158, that is 8 pounds to lose to be at your ideal weight for your height.

**sourpuss** · 04-25-2010 08:24 PM

Can you add in some jogging everyday? Just 15-20 minutes in addition to your walking would really help.

Lay off the sweets and cut back on your portions when it comes to pizza and pasta.