Working your legs? (posted in wrong forum before)

[Waka]

Hey, I haven't been here in such a while! But I'm back and I want to give fitness another try.

Only difference now is I'm 17, not 16, and my body is still not in the shape I want it to be. Lately, all I've been doing is jogging... my friend says I can't be just doing that if I want to get in better shape. But what does he know lol

Right now I'm 125 pounds, with a height of 5'7, and I think I should drop 10 pounds of excess fat. I think I would feel wonderful about myself if I did..

So the jogging hasn't been helping much. and I do it because I'm trying to get my legs and thighs very proportioned. I kinda wonder if riding my bicycle would help more. I want them to look great! And my diet sucks, infact it's pretty much non existant... I eat whatever I can find, basically crap. Coke, sandwiches, pasta everything high in CARB!

I would really love it if someone out there would help me establish some sort of routine.

 

[Daisy_Girl]

Check out the thread called "Links to top threads" at the top of the board. This can help you find routines and basic dirt advice.

I do NOT recommend you go on a very restrictive, limited diet. You need a variety of foods to aid your growing body. Do NOT try a pre-contest diet like some of the ladies here do. Even a 100% clean diet I wouldn't want you to do

Welcome back!

 

[Waka]

Check out the thread called "Links to top threads" at the top of the board. This can help you find routines and basic dirt advice.

I do NOT recommend you go on a very restrictive, limited diet. You need a variety of foods to aid your growing body. Do NOT try a pre-contest diet like some of the ladies here do. Even a 100% clean diet I wouldn't want you to do

Welcome back!

Thank you very much Daisy_Girl! Glad to be back - I'm going to do some reading I guess.

 

[*Bunny*]

I do NOT recommend you go on a very restrictive, limited diet. You need a variety of foods to aid your growing body. Do NOT try a pre-contest diet like some of the ladies here do. Even a 100% clean diet I wouldn't want you to do

Welcome back!

^^^ I agree with DG...

First I'd like to welcome you back

However, I'd be lying If I said I felt comfortable giving advice to a someone under 18 knowing the rules of this board....

I just looked through your old posts as well.

Back In Dec 04 you indicated you were 5'7 132lbs with very little muscle gain and you don't have a 24" waist like you could have...

Now, 17, you are 125 pounds and want to drop "10 pounds of excess fat not" with your body still not in the shape you want it to be.

First impression, not knowing anything else about you, is that you want to become "waif" like as I cannot IMAGINE you having 10 lbs of excess fat that isn't there for a reason (i.e. healthy / growing body). Where did you come up with that number? Do you know your % body fat?

Also, I feel your friend is RIGHT ON... In general, you cannot simply jog and be in better shape for MANY reasons...esp. since your eating habits are still the same as before...and I'll use your words "non-existant" and "crappy"....

I'm still trying to figure what you mean by "I'm trying to get my legs and thighs very proportioned"....

Some valid points that were posted in reference to your questions previously...

A diet of all one thing, and eliminating other things entirely is a recipe for disaster and will give you no results. At 16, you need protein, starchy carbs, dairy, and fruit. You need to focus on BALANCED and HEALTHY diet, along with a good training program.

and also

You need carbs. You need fruit. Healthy carb choices like fruit and VEGGIES***, complex carbs- oatmeal, yams, sweet tats, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, bread (Nothing too commercial, they use additives you can't pronounce) and better yet, simply STOP consuming foods which contain ingredients you can't pronounce on the label. The protein shakes are supplements, protein you supplement with when you either need a meal replacement or more often after a weight training/lifting workout. A clean diet (not one in which you cut any particular food group out) is probably 90% of your fatloss. The remaining 10% will be weights + cardio. Weights for muscle gain, and cardio for health as well as a fatloss aid. No drugs. Eat your dairy- if you read recent articles you will find that calcium is a wonderous aid in fatloss. .... And remember, (this is exactly as i've been told...also being 16) never cut a food group out for any reason. You're 16, you're still an adolescent, you're still growing, and you need all the nutrients you can get!

I apologize if I am playing 'mother' here, but after reading your posts my instincts = concern ...

 

[jenscats5]

GREAT post Bunny!! GREAT!!

Another thing -- due to your age, you are NOT finished developing yet!! Just by doing nothing you will see a LOT of changes in your body in the coming years.

 

[texaschick]

First thing is DROP THE COKE!!!!! Water, water, water, water...I was just told on a post when I was asking about how much water I should consume...and was told that you should drink in oz your body weight. So, that would mean you need 125oz. Also, why don't you ask your mom or dad to get you 1 session with a peronal trainer (find a GOOD one don't just go to anyone...research) and write everything he or she says down and follow their plan. The eating is easy, and their is tons on this board to help with that. I am not sure you need to train like the other board members because of you age...also lots of vitamins. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Sassy69]

I wouldn't say "lots of vitamins" but rather just a good multi. Your diet should provide you with everything you need.

 

[Waka]

Back In Dec 04 you indicated you were 5'7 132lbs with very little muscle gain and you don't have a 24" waist like you could have...

Now, 17, you are 125 pounds and want to drop "10 pounds of excess fat not" with your body still not in the shape you want it to be.

First impression, not knowing anything else about you, is that you want to become "waif" like as I cannot IMAGINE you having 10 lbs of excess fat that isn't there for a reason (i.e. healthy / growing body). Where did you come up with that number? Do you know your % body fat?

I'm still trying to figure what you mean by "I'm trying to get my legs and thighs very proportioned"....

Truth be told, I used to eat unhealthy and no I don't like admitting it, but considering we're all girls here in this forum and theres support, here it goes: I used to be apart of binge eating(I found out today that's what its called).. I would eat and EAT then try not to. (I would have one meal a day that's about 500 calories tops) and tried to restrict heavily. So you're right on the spot with this one. I don't know my fat percentage though.. I'd love to figure it out.

I just want to eat healthy now.. and it's really hard. No one I know cares that much about what they eat, if they exercise, ect. My family is the last place I can go for advice, because they're the one packing the fridge with burgers, mozzerella sticks, and many other high carbed foods.

It's really frightening where this is going after a whole year, and I am still this way. I have an older half sister who said she was 115 and she had muscular legs, I thought she was inspiring! She's a jogger. I wanted to look like her. Not waif like. I was thinking about exact measurements on my thighs and calves when I mentioned proportion... for a 17 year old, my thighs need work badly. I don't really know what I'm talking about.

Time to drop the cokes and junk food I guess? And thank you for your concern!

 

[jenscats5]

Truth be told, I used to eat unhealthy and no I don't like admitting it, but considering we're all girls here in this forum and theres support, here it goes: I used to be apart of binge eating(I found out today that's what its called).. I would eat and EAT then try not to. (I would have one meal a day that's about 500 calories tops) and tried to restrict heavily. So you're right on the spot with this one. I don't know my fat percentage though.. I'd love to figure it out.

I just want to eat healthy now.. and it's really hard. No one I know cares that much about what they eat, if they exercise, ect. My family is the last place I can go for advice, because they're the one packing the fridge with burgers, mozzerella sticks, and many other high carbed foods.

It's really frightening where this is going after a whole year, and I am still this way. I have an older half sister who said she was 115 and she had muscular legs, I thought she was inspiring! She's a jogger. I wanted to look like her. Not waif like. I was thinking about exact measurements on my thighs and calves when I mentioned proportion... for a 17 year old, my thighs need work badly. I don't really know what I'm talking about.

Time to drop the cokes and junk food I guess? And thank you for your concern!

There's no MAGIC SECRET to being healthy.........you just need to eat right & MOVE!! Unfortunately, many "average" people have NO desire to do either -- so the fact that you are asking questions is a start.

Keep your food choices basic and clean. Which means avoiding processed foods such as fast food, junk food, food that comes in boxes (ie frozen meals, etc) and try to eat more naturally. Fruits, veggies, whole grains (oatmeal, brown rice, wheat pasta, etc) and lean proteins (eggs, chicken, turkey, lean beef, etc). Avoid tons of sugar-laden products like sodas, candy, etc.

Yes, your parents will think you're a freak. When I was 17 (sigh!) I wanted to learn to cook -- so I started experimenting with recipes. My parents looked at me like I was from Mars. They eventuallty left me alone. Do the best you can with the resources you have. And yes, it's hard to NOT eat like crap when others around you are -- but to be healthy, it's a choice you have to make.