Getting Fit Advice, Opinions and Answers needed

[NFPWife]

This is a perfect time in your life to build muscle - your testosterone levels should be, or nearing, some of their highest levels. You can take advantage of that with a solid weight training program. I, personally, would prioritize that over cardio or bodyweight exercises. Not that I’d eschew cardio completely, but you can lift at a pace and intensity that keeps your heart rate up. Make sure you’re getting adequate rest between training. Muscles are torn down in the gym and built at rest.

It sounds like you’re intrigued by intermittent fasting. As other posters have said, get your doc’s approval on that. If s/he supports it, go for it. (As an adult, I’ve found it highly effective. I won’t intrigue or taunt with specifics unless and until your doc approves it )

 

[ShrodingersCat]

Since it has come-up:

The idea that breakfast is the most important meal of the day or even a necessary meal of the day is something that was pitched by cereal companies and ingrained into us for decades, but it’s not actually something based on rigorous scientific studies. I frequently wake up and only have a black coffee, water, or some juice. Fasting until lunch time or even the early afternoon is a perfectly acceptable way of burning fat or improving overall energy output. Each person’s physiology is very different and has very different capabilities. For example, that’s not something you would typically do with children or elderly or if you simply try and find it too difficult for you: although it will be difficult for the first few weeks no matter your age if you are accustomed to fueling yourself with unnecessary amounts of sugar. But, our bodies are actually made to operate on a timer to go between 12-16 hours without eating, if you include before bed, sleep, and the time between waking up and then eating. A healthy adult should have abundant energy reserves to do this. In modern society and particularly American society this may not be the case, but this is usually due to gluttonous behavioral patterns.

I think one of the big problems with skipping breakfast is that you are more likely to have a pre-lunch snack. If you are in work or school, it’s likely that it will be a convenient high-calorie snack. But yes, everyone is different.

 

[BoomBoomMancini]

Approves is strong, I’ll say sympathetic and tolerant.

She makes sure I am healthy.

I can’t imagine why anyone, including your mom or the Church, would object to you getting in shape. Why would your mom want you to go through life overweight, with all the associated health issues? Not to mention the impact on your romantic life.

Just don’t become obsessed with fitness to the point where it goes beyond fitness into vanity, and I think you’re fine. Good luck!

Oh, and don’t starve yourself. You are still growing and you need calories. Just make sure they are the right kind of calories. Eat lots of lean proteins (chicken, fish, etc) and fruits and vegetables. Go easy on carbs. For example, steer clear of having a bagel for breakfast. Go for some eggs and a piece of fruit instead.

 

[TC3033]

This is a perfect time in your life to build muscle - your testosterone levels should be, or nearing, some of their highest levels. You can take advantage of that with a solid weight training program. I, personally, would prioritize that over cardio or bodyweight exercises. Not that I’d eschew cardio completely, but you can lift at a pace and intensity that keeps your heart rate up. Make sure you’re getting adequate rest between training. Muscles are torn down in the gym and built at rest.

It sounds like you’re intrigued by intermittent fasting. As other posters have said, get your doc’s approval on that. If s/he supports it, go for it. (As an adult, I’ve found it highly effective. I won’t intrigue or taunt with specifics unless and until your doc approves it )

You can effectively build muscle on a body weight program as well. As long as there is a progressive overload there (and building blocks, ie calories) OP can build muscle.

With that said, and from the OP saying they have in the neighborhood of 20-50lbs to lose I’d say don’t worry about building muscle necessarily but maintaining what you have while losing weight. OP most likely won’t build significant muscle while in a calorie deficit (if any) but can go along way in maintaining it on a Dr. approved weight program or body weight program.

 

[Sheeniac]

I have no specific answers to give you, but being aware of vanity is important.

That said, I really recommend the primal approach - Mark Sisson and his site:

marksdailyapple.com/

 

[EasterJoy]

Since it has come-up:

The idea that breakfast is the most important meal of the day or even a necessary meal of the day is something that was pitched by cereal companies and ingrained into us for decades, but it’s not actually something based on rigorous scientific studies. I frequently wake up and only have a black coffee, water, or some juice. Fasting until lunch time or even the early afternoon is a perfectly acceptable way of burning fat or improving overall energy output. Each person’s physiology is very different and has very different capabilities. For example, that’s not something you would typically do with children or elderly or if you simply try and find it too difficult for you: although it will be difficult for the first few weeks no matter your age if you are accustomed to fueling yourself with unnecessary amounts of sugar. But, our bodies are actually made to operate on a timer to go between 12-16 hours without eating, if you include before bed, sleep, and the time between waking up and then eating. A healthy adult should have abundant energy reserves to do this. In modern society and particularly American society this may not be the case, but this is usually due to gluttonous behavioral patterns.

There is a lot of truth in what you say.

Having said that, people who come to attach any part of their self-worth to success at achieving a particular physical state are vulnerable to eating disorders. This is true of both male and female teens, in particular. A teen who is trying to make a big change in his BMI and muscle bulk may be doing something that is extremely good for him, but he ought to be sure he puts himself under the supervision of an adult with the background to keep his eating and training appropriate. If that person tells him he should not fast, I would urge him to follow that direction.

 

[jimsnew]

Getting strong is always worthwhile.

1. Work with weights if you have the opportunity, it makes it much easier to target different muscle groups. You will also be working your stabilizer muscles too.
2. Find someone who has more experience and can advise you on proper technique.
3. Keep your protein intake high.

Yes, or make friends with some athletic types who will help. I am fortunate in that I have always been athletic, but at the same time I’ve always worked at it. Actually, I could tell you how to do it. Working weights before running is a start, eating right is the key as well. I went to college on an athletic scholarship, often have people ask how I ‘stay’ in shape. Honestly, most of it is that I started out at a higher level. I’m 60, I haven’t ‘kept’ in the shape I was as a college athlete, although I am at an identical weight, I’ve lost 6 inches of chest, and gained 5 inches of waist. I am 14% body fat, when in college I was 6-7%. There is no shortcut, fortunately, I never had to really lose weight, but I still run about 5-6 miles a week, and work the weights 4 days a week.

 

[jimsnew]

Since it has come-up:

The idea that breakfast is the most important meal of the day or even a necessary meal of the day is something that was pitched by cereal companies and ingrained into us for decades, but it’s not actually something based on rigorous scientific studies. I frequently wake up and only have a black coffee, water, or some juice. Fasting until lunch time or even the early afternoon is a perfectly acceptable way of burning fat or improving overall energy output. Each person’s physiology is very different and has very different capabilities. For example, that’s not something you would typically do with children or elderly or if you simply try and find it too difficult for you: although it will be difficult for the first few weeks no matter your age if you are accustomed to fueling yourself with unnecessary amounts of sugar. But, our bodies are actually made to operate on a timer to go between 12-16 hours without eating, if you include before bed, sleep, and the time between waking up and then eating. A healthy adult should have abundant energy reserves to do this. In modern society and particularly American society this may not be the case, but this is usually due to gluttonous behavioral patterns.

I would disagree with skipping meals. Far better IMO to eat a lot of small meals than to fast, then wolf down a huge meal, and that’s what happens. Eat plenty of protein, and carbs, then work it off!

 

[Saxum]

This is what helped me lose weight:

Don’t eat more than 30 grams of net carbs per day
Eat two cups of salad and as much lean meat, fish and dairy (except milk) as you want
Drink 2 litres of water per day
Exercise at least three times per week

The weight will drop off.

 

[Theo520]

I lost 50 lbs earlier this year. Been taking a break before targeting another 50lbs off. I’m saying this because I’ve spent time studying the research.

You can’t lose weight and gain muscle mass at the same time. I’d suggest targeting weight loss first, then focus on bulking.

Getting to a healthy weight will boost your confidence, nothing inherently wrong there assuming it doesn’t go to your head.

 

[Rhubarb]

If it’s really important to you, get a diet plan from a dietician. My gym keeps one on staff, I would assume your local gym could tell you where to find one. It’ll be costly, but a consultation can get you set up. Working out is important but diet plays such a huge role. It’s not just eating less - it’s eating the right way. If you want to get “cut” you’ll likely need to eat more the proper way.