Unfit and unhappy - help needed!!

spudz22

Hey everyone,

I'm new to this section of boards and so far some of these threads are really informative... my problem is I really need to start exercising. i'm a masters student with very little time free during the week due to study and labs etc. I'm 5ft9 and weigh about 10.5 stone (not sure if this is overweight..) and have the a bad diet! I live on convenience food due to lack of free time during the day. I start my morning with cereal and tea then lunch of may be veg soup (always try to have soup at lunch or a salad). dinner can be hit and miss depending on whats in the house and how tired I am. I really need to improve my diet and i need to tone up and exercise.. so my question to everyone who can help is what should i be eating that actually tastes nice but is also good for you and what exercises can i do to help improve my fitness (I'd be open to running if i knew how to approach it properly). also is drinking alot of tea (like i do) bad for you? sorry for this being so long but any advice at all will be appreciated. i'm sick of feeling sluggish and tired!

Cheers in advance,

Spudz

corkcomp

spudz22 wrote: »

Hey everyone,

I'm new to this section of boards and so far some of these threads are really informative... my problem is I really need to start exercising. i'm a masters student with very little time free during the week due to study and labs etc. I'm 5ft9 and weigh about 10.5 stone (not sure if this is overweight..) and have the a bad diet! I live on convenience food due to lack of free time during the day. I start my morning with cereal and tea then lunch of may be veg soup (always try to have soup at lunch or a salad). dinner can be hit and miss depending on whats in the house and how tired I am. I really need to improve my diet and i need to tone up and exercise.. so my question to everyone who can help is what should i be eating that actually tastes nice but is also good for you and what exercises can i do to help improve my fitness (I'd be open to running if i knew how to approach it properly). also is drinking alot of tea (like i do) bad for you? sorry for this being so long but any advice at all will be appreciated. i'm sick of feeling sluggish and tired!

Cheers in advance,

Spudz

Hey Spudz, you should start off by reading the fitness and nutrition stickies. TBH, you already know where the issues lie i.e. you dont exercise and you eat junk so start off by dropping the crap and moving more. you will get a lot of support and motivation on here BUT you need to take the first step and get working. Tea is not bad for you as long as you dont use sugar. best of luck

The_Kew_Tour

Hi spudz

I wont give you advice on eating as there better people on here to help you on that one.

But is there any running clubs in your area? if so why not join even once week would make you feel better about yourself.


Best Luck:)

spudz22

adrian280582 wrote: »

But is there any running clubs in your area? if so why not join even once week would make you feel better about yourself.

never thought of running clubs... I live in the middle of a housing estate so it might be a tough one but I'll do anything to sort myself out so i'll definately take a look! also corkcomp, thanks for letting me know about the nutritional sticky.. feeling very guilty already :rolleyes:! need to get moving and active

Oryx

If you are used to the strong salty/sugary tastes of convenience food, less processed food might taste a little bland at first, but stick with healthier options and youll find you end up preferring them. Readymade food will taste far too strong in comparison after a while. Do you snack much on choc and crisps? They are the first thing to remove from your diet. Otherwise, just think before you eat. Wholemeal bread, not white. Raw fruit as a snack. Baked potato instead of wedges. Grill, or oven bake, dont fry. Really simple changes that shouldnt impinge on your time much.

And as for running, get some running shoes, get out on the footpath on your housing estate... and run. It really is that simple. Run and walk a set distance. Increase the parts you run as your stamina increases. Use mapmyrun.com to see how far you go each time. Look up a few stretches for your legs to do after each run. Even half an hour a few times a week will see a rapid improvement in your running fitness.

Set up a log here, to chart your progress. It will motivate you more, and you will probably get the feedback you need on your diet and training.

metamorphosis

spudz22 wrote: »

Hey everyone,

. i'm a masters student with very little time free during the week due to study and labs etc.


Spudz

Hi there -

Well done on taking the first steps in changing your lifestyle.

The above quote i bolded though i will take issue with. You say you have little time. I can bet you that you have spare time. I am a final year student in college, while also doing a weekends course friday nights and all day Saturday, working part time evenings and also doing my thesis and i still find time to train on average 10 hours a week and go out with friends etc. If that means i get up an hour earlier in the morning so be it. People always have time ... ALWAYS. I garuntee there is at least an hour ot MORE during the day when you are sitting around doing nothing watching TV etc - use this time to go out for a jog etc.

Hone in on your time management skills.

corkcomp

yep + 1 to above post. The only real free time I have is about 90 minute window before work in the morning. my gym is open early so problem solved. yeah, If I wanted to I could train in the evenings sometimes but depending on the day I could find some excuse not to!