Topic : Exercise

I am 16 years old. And I love Dr. Phil, I watch him everyday when I come home from school. He's amazing.

I feel that I have a couple pounds on me, that shouldn't be there. I love to drink pop, and eat perogies, chips, popcorn, pogos, pizza etc. I always eat my fruits and vegetables. I want to go on a diet (as in, I want to ditch, all these greasy, and fattning foods, and eat much healthier) but I dont know how. When I get up to walk to the fridge, I tell myself, eat something healthy, but once I get there, I see the pop, and pour myself a glass, and then I'll see the Doritos or popcorn sitting there, and I grab it, and hit the couch. I dont relaly exercise, I walk around my town (we live in a very small town) sometimes, whenever I go out with friends. But, I want to get a flatter stomach, thinner thighs, and a smaller butt. I dont know how. I always tell myself, tomorrow I'll ditch my habits, but I can never seem too. I dont have money or the time to go to the gym, and I dont know what aerobics are or pilates. What kind of exercises should I do, and what kind of food is HEALTHIER to eat, can anyone please give me advice on how to stick to my goals?!

Melissa. 

I am 16 years old. And I love Dr. Phil, I watch him everyday when I come home from school. He's amazing.

I feel that I have a couple pounds on me, that shouldn't be there. I love to drink pop, and eat perogies, chips, popcorn, pogos, pizza etc. I always eat my fruits and vegetables. I want to go on a diet (as in, I want to ditch, all these greasy, and fattning foods, and eat much healthier) but I dont know how. When I get up to walk to the fridge, I tell myself, eat something healthy, but once I get there, I see the pop, and pour myself a glass, and then I'll see the Doritos or popcorn sitting there, and I grab it, and hit the couch. I dont relaly exercise, I walk around my town (we live in a very small town) sometimes, whenever I go out with friends. But, I want to get a flatter stomach, thinner thighs, and a smaller butt. I dont know how. I always tell myself, tomorrow I'll ditch my habits, but I can never seem too. I dont have money or the time to go to the gym, and I dont know what aerobics are or pilates. What kind of exercises should I do, and what kind of food is HEALTHIER to eat, can anyone please give me advice on how to stick to my goals?!

Melissa. 

Melissa, Dr. Phil's son, Jay McGraw, has a book out written specifically for teens, "The Ultimate Weight Solution for Teens". It's basically the same program, but it addresses social situations that teens find themselves in that adults don't usually deal with. I'd suggest you get a copy of that book and read it. Dr Phil's Food Guide is an excellent source in telling you what foods are good for you and which ones are "empty calories". In using the 7 keys he outlines in the book, you communicate with the people close to you that you need their help and support. Create a family activity of cleaning up the environment... dump the unhealthy foods or give it away to a food bank or something. You said you have a "couple pounds on me". Don't go about this adventure as a weight loss program, but one that teaches you how to live a heathy lifestyle. Getting the education about it now is wonderful! I wish I had learned far sooner than I did.

As far as exercise goes, you don't need to join a gym. There is a book, Total Body Makeover by Bob Greene (Oprah's trainer) that has an excellent exercise program outlined for you. He also explains the how and why of the exercises. I will say that saying you don't have the time to go to the gym (or to exercise) is faulty thinking. When something is high enough on your priority list you MAKE the time. Re-work your schedule so you DO have the time. It required me getting up an hour earlier each day to fit it in, which wasn't real pleasant in the beginning. But I found it's a fantastic way to start my day. I hope this info helps somewhat.

Gail

Hello Melissa,

Like you, i love Dr. Phil too. You should get his weight loss book. It's not a diet, it's a way of life. The book has a lot of healthy foods in it. An master the seven keys that ar ein there. From what you are telling in your story, I get the idea you have easy access to unhealthy foods. Ask your mum to throw all the garbage away (dorito's, cheerios etc. etc. And loose the soft drink! I was addicted to that too.

Clean up your environment (lose the unhealthy stuff). It really helps becase you can't eat/drink what isn't there.

Jo

Hello Melissa,

It's good that you want to try hard, but Dr. Phil's method is not about will power. I suggest you clean up your environment. Have a close look at what is in the fridge and the cabinets. Ask your mother to remove all the junkfood and the pop, so that you can't get it. Because when you sit in front of the TV in the evening, that will power is going to get you nowhere. I am experienced at this, believe me. If I have access to it, I simply take it. So ask the people around you to work with you, by refusing you any access to junkfood or pop. And if you are really addicted to softdrinks like I am, take the light versions. I know that they taste a bit less, but you get used to that easily. It worked greatly for me! And take one other thing in consideration when you drink pop: it messes up your teeth. Even the sugar free ones. It's not only the sugar that kills the teeth but also the acids in those softdrinks. That's why I did cut down a lot on them. I replaced it with water, tea, coffee, and milk. Ask your friends to be supportive of this too. Don't let them tempt you to make bad food/drink choices at school. Even better: bring the stuff you want to drink or eat at school, from home. It's better and cheaper.

Behave your way to success, you can do it! And listen to that other advice: get Jay's book. It's written for teens like you. Let it be your guide and you will succeed!

Jo

I was wondering if anyone out there could help me?

I am 24 years old and I generally have fairly low energy levels, and tend to need a lot of sleep to function properly (my ideal is 9 hours a night).  In March, I started reading Dr. Phil's weight loss book, and joined a local gym.  I got a personal trainer, and followed the program she made for me.  I went to the gym 3 times a week faithfully, and did my strength training program and 30 - 45 minutes of cardio every time I went.  After about 3 months, I had to stop going to the gym as I was just too tired all of the time and it didn't seem to be getting any better (actually, it was getting worse).  I was eating properly, getting good amounts of protein and carbs, but was still tired.

So, having heard my story, I was wondering if any of you have any advice/opinions.  Some people have told me that I may have low iron, as I have some of the other symptoms of low iron as well (heart palpitations, slow healing of muscle aches/pains), but my doctor insists that my iron levels are fine (she only did a general blood test though).  Should I get a second opinion, or ask for more tests?  What would you suggest?

Thanks,

Snaqueb

I join our local YMCA 2 and 1/2 weeks ago.  I need to lose 100 pounds.  I use the Cardio equipment.  I do the bicycle 15 minutes and the treadmill for 15 minutes at different levels and speeds.  I also do the weights for the upper and lower body.  I have been faithful about going everyday.  I got on the scales this morning and I still weigh the same as I did when I started.  My clothes seem to be fitting better.  Maybe it is just my imagination.  How long does it take to see weight loss?  I never really exercised before 2 weeks ago. I know that I can't expect results right away because I know that I was completely out of shape.  Anyone have any advice.  I am motivated for the first time in my life.  I really feel like I can do it this time.  I just need to know what I should expect. 

Thanks 

Rachel in Ohio