Weight loss and supplements

aN.Droid

Hey there,

Just looking for a bit of advice re weight loss and what supplements to use.

First off some info about me

I am 6ft 2in to 6ft 3in
23 years old
19 and a 1/2 stone (hence the weight loss :P)
member of a gym.


I started the gym in the new year and since then have lost about half a stone. I also have noticed my stamina is increased and my heart rate takes longer to increase.

My diet wouldn't be the best and very inconsistent, this i need to work on for sure.

When I work out I usually do 30 min on treadmill and 30 min on the bike on the machines weight loss setting, is this the best thing to do? I also go for a swim and steam room after as a wind down.
I want to lose weight quick but not too quick and not in a unhealthy manner such as a crazy diet like lipotrim.
What are the best foods to eat? Can someone recommend a good diet to eat? I don't usually like green veg like lettuce and cabbage and such but I do like stuff like peppers and chillis. I like potatoes, carrots turnip etc.
I could probably eat the veg I don't like by just swallowing it without chewing but I don't know how healthy that is, maybe make it into a mash in a blender?

What supplements do you guys recommend? I ordered some caffeine pills as I heard they are a good appetite suppressant and I suffer from low energy anyway so they can help that way too.
Also, is it a good idea to use whey protein? I am a large fellow in height and weight but my frame is also big and wide and I feel I have bigish muscles too and would like to work on that aswell but my number one priority is weight loss so I don't know if the protein is a good idea?

I am sure I left out some info so if you need any more information about myself then let me know.

I am going on holidays in 9 weeks and would really like to lose the weight, I know its not allot of time but plan on working hard in those 9 weeks (and undo it when im there :P)

Blatter

The stickies at the top of the forum give good advice, you should have a look at them (and the ones in the Health and Fitness forum)

Generally what I would advise people to do is to try and eat natural foods and limit the processed stuff.

Processed foods: bread, sugary cereals, sugary drinks, ready made meals, biscuits, chocolate, margarine etc.

Natural foods: fruit, veg, milk, cheese, meat, fish, healthy oils (eg. coconut oil), butter, eggs, nuts etc.

Drink plenty of water. Cardio a couple of weeks is fine but if you want to change your body shape and look good for a holiday I'd recommend lifting weights. Look for a weights routine, google ''starting strength'' as that's a popular one.

Don't get bogged down on supplements at all. The caffeine pills, I don't see a problem with if you're lacking energy. But asking if protein will make a difference is like asking if egg whites, cottage cheese or chicken will make a difference. Protein shakes are just a convenient food at the end of the day. If you're looking to lose weight they are fine as long as you're in a calorie deficit, they're not a necessity though.

aN.Droid

Blatter wrote: »

The stickies at the top of the forum give good advice, you should have a look at them (and the ones in the Health and Fitness forum)

Generally what I would advise people to do is to try and eat natural foods and limit the processed stuff.

Processed foods: bread, sugary cereals, sugary drinks, ready made meals, biscuits, chocolate, margarine etc.

Natural foods: fruit, veg, milk, cheese, meat, fish, healthy oils (eg. coconut oil), butter, eggs, nuts etc.

Drink plenty of water. Cardio a couple of weeks is fine but if you want to change your body shape and look good for a holiday I'd recommend lifting weights. Look for a weights routine, google ''starting strength'' as that's a popular one.

Don't get bogged down on supplements at all. The caffeine pills, I don't see a problem with if you're lacking energy. But asking if protein will make a difference is like asking if egg whites, cottage cheese or chicken will make a difference. Protein shakes are just a convenient food at the end of the day. If you're looking to lose weight they are fine as long as you're in a calorie deficit, they're not a necessity though.

Thank you for your advice.

Do you think the weights training would shift the weight faster then cardio training? Usually I would do an hour of cardio followed by some light swimming and relaxing in the steam room or sauna.

Obviously I would need to warm up via cardio if I where to go heavy weights training anyway.

I need to sort my diet though I think before i will see any great improvement.

Might make a sort of "menu" for the week to list my breakfast lunch and dinner.

I would assume for breakfast something like cheerios or corn flakes would be fine? What would you recommend for lunch? I know I would be fine with a few chicken breasts and brown rice for dinner, is there any healthy sauces out there that I could use to accompany that? I would say rice and pasta are my favorite foods and I love the brown variants of them.

So much to think about! :P

Blatter

Limericks wrote: »

Thank you for your advice.

No problem

Do you think the weights training would shift the weight faster then cardio training? Usually I would do an hour of cardio followed by some light swimming and relaxing in the steam room or sauna.

Well, it wouldn't technically shift the ''weight'' faster, but it will definitely make you look a lot better. I wouldn't really pay that much attention to the scales if I were you, I'd be more inclined to keep waist measurements.

Obviously I would need to warm up via cardio if I where to go heavy weights training anyway.

Yep, a few minutes is all that's needed. Stretches are very good to get into before weights as well.

I need to sort my diet though I think before i will see any great improvement.

Yep, you've probably heard it around a thousand times but improvement in diet really is essential for a normal person to get into shape.

Might make a sort of "menu" for the week to list my breakfast lunch and dinner.

There are some good recipes here. They're all low carb. Now I'm not saying you have to go low carb to achieve your goals, but it's the sort of direction I'd be heading in if I was you. I'd be conscious of my carb intake and would try to limit them to maybe around 100 grams a day.

I would assume for breakfast something like cheerios or corn flakes would be fine?

Would avoid that type of stuff like the plague tbh, but saying that, once every morning as long as your still in a calorie deficit overall, it shouldn't stop you achieving your goals. Those pre packaged cereals are mostly full of sugar and it's easy to over eat on them. (for me anyway)

I personally have eggs in some form most days for breakfast. Whether it be scrambled eggs with butter and fried mushrooms, poached eggs with beans or something like that.

Or sometimes I have porridge with some honey. Whatever works for yourself at the end of the day, but as I said I'd recommend natural stuff over the processed cereals.

What would you recommend for lunch? I know I would be fine with a few chicken breasts and brown rice for dinner, is there any healthy sauces out there that I could use to accompany that? I would say rice and pasta are my favorite foods and I love the brown variants of them.

Chicken, beef, pork, steak, lamb, duck, fish etc. with a couple of potatoes and veg (usually with butter for flavor) is what I'd usually have. Plenty of low calorie sauce recipes online. You'll find a few here.

Again, from the low carb recipes link I gave you above, there are plenty healthy meals there that are tasty and healthy. Requires a bit of effort, it's worth it though.

Ajen2012

Saw u ask about low cal sauces etc for dinner idea, I am abit the same as urself, i put in da work but really love my food :P
I find soya sauce really handy to put on chicken when cookin, adds flavour witout the calories. Also add spices with the soya to change it up abit, such as chilli flakes or chinese 5 spice. Lovely in a stir fry with plenty of veg to bulk it up, thing about the rice, u should watch how much rice you use, buy the pack that comes in boil in the bags, u can get bags for one person........although sometimes this seems like very little thats why i say make sure to bulk up on the veg.
Ohh wat is very nice is faitia mix, u can buy it separate to the faitia packs, again just a different flavour.

I agree porridge is the best breakfast, unfortunately i hate the stuff so i choose weetabix instead wit skim milk

Best of luck, Keep up the good work!!!

bigalee

Hi ,
just want to say that i agre with earlier poster, those caffeine pills need to be taken with care, and results can be very slight if any compared to health risks...

confusedgirl

Yup, I was watching Michelle Heaton on The Late Late Show recently, she took slimming tablets and it caused her heart problems so her pregnancy was a high-risk one.

You can put some lemon in hot water in the mornings and this will help flush out your system naturally. And drink herbal teas and water. But slimming pills are dangerous, I would stay well clear as its an unregulated market and you don't really know all the ingredients in them. I used to take Pharmaton supplements from the pharmacy which contain ginseng and caffeine however on the days I didn't take them, I would feel even more tired.

mkmkmk

hiya

can somebody please please help me,does anybody remember years ago with motivation weight loss clinics they used to give a dietary supplement it was a brown tablet and it used to curb my appetite and give me loads of energy half a day used to be enough,i think it was called slim and trim energiser,or does anybosy know of something similiar,i just need a bit of energy for motivation i have 4 stone to loose and my confidence is gone


mkmkmk

Brissygirl32

Well Ill tell you what to do - exercise, go to the gym - uve probably paid a membership - start using it - try weight watchers - ur probably been there already - stick to it - remember if it passes your mouth track it - diet pills don't work mkmkmk - hard work does