File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
hey /fit/, i've recently just become really crazy about losing weight/building muscle (yes...it's a girl) but no, i've made a few lifestyle changes. Now normally, I eat fast food daily, but for the past 2 weeks I haven't touched it, and my caloric intake has been around 2500 a day, and i've lost about 4 pounds... I can't really start working out frequently until summer break (i'm a junior in hs, and 2 more weeks) but i've bought a golds gym pass and i've been going about 1-2 times a week, doing ab crunchers, curls and playing basketball and running a mile for cardio. I'm around 180 lbs. at the moment, and 5'8 maybe, so not too great looking...hopefully you can help me get my ways on track /fit/, any tips?

*pic NOT related*
>> Anonymous
don't get discouraged if you don't see results RN.
all I gotta say~
>> Anonymous
2500 calories is way too many
>> Anonymous
To lose the weight, ideally you should be doing a lot of cardio almost every day. Due to your height you may need to knock down your calorie intake a little as well, but if you get serious about lifting weights then you'll need it. Also make sure you're eating healthy and not just eating a set number of calories of unhealthy foods.

Good luck and keep at it. Find a friend to go with you if you start slipping to keep yourself motivated.
>> Anonymous
Here are the steps I would take if I was in your position and knowing what I know now:

1) Join multiple fitness forums. (I frequent sherdog's powerlifting section a lot). Usually they will have a FAQ with a good way to get in shape. The key is absorb as much knowledge as possible so you know what you want to do.

2) Look at your diet and cut out the bad stuff. I'm sure you know the obvious stuff (sugar, processed fats, etc.). The key is to not do it all at once. Start with small stuff like drinking only water instead of sugary pop or juice. Then eventually move into other things like only eating whole grain carbs and lean meats like chicken and turkey (eating red meats is fine occasionally). Just cutting out the bad stuff will probably lower your calorie intake a lot (but still eat enough to build muscle). Eat smaller meals and more of them blabhalbhahl everyone knows that.

3) Focus on building muscle. Girls especially are so worried about looking huge. You will not look disgusting huge unless you make a special effort. Learn the forms of the 3 big lifts: bench, squat, deadlift.
When you have the form down, begin adding weight week by week. Look to a forum for a good routine. Ignore routines with excess machine exercises.

4) Instead of cardio focus on HIIT. If it's too hard to do on the track, start off on an exercise bike. HIIT increases your quickness and will help you burn many more calories over the long run.

Don't get discouraged if you think it sucks at first. When you get into a groove and your are noticing changes you will love exercising. That was really long.