Need some help here (long post)

[raven494]

Hi people,

I'm no different than most people who want to lose weight for the summer. I just want it sooner.

I'm going on an internship to London in mid may, for 5 months. I'd just like to arrive looking good. I've already started to diet and lost 10 pounds, but I'd like to lose another 10.

But then, weight is just weight and looking good isn't entirely about weight. I'd like some advice on a routine and food plan I can keep up when I'm there too.

What I'm currently eating:

- cottage cheese and a peach for breakfast
or
oatmeal made with skim milk sweetened with sweetner (sounds funny ) depends how cold it is in the morning
- a salad for lunch (lots of veggies, light dressing and some fish/chicken)
- chicken / fish and veggies for dinner (I vary the veggies because otherwise it gets boring)

As a snack I'll have some yoghurt with fruit or nuts (like almonds)

Training:
Well, to be honset college has kept me very busy and I haven't really had the time afterwards (and I confess neither the will) to go to the gym. It's too temting to sit down after my brain made such long hours cramming all those facts in for tests. HOWEVER, school is almost over (25th is the last day) and I'd like some recommendations. I know it's not your job to give me an entire workout plan, but please help.

What's the best way to work out? Is it better to do long periods of cardio (say 40 mins on the epilleptical machine) and then do weight training or is it better to do just 10 mins, weight training, back 10 mins on the epilleptical..etc until I reach 60 mins?
Also, how often in the week do you recommend working out?

I must confess I kind of have an easting disordery background. Back when I was 17 (2 years ago) I starved myself for months to become thin. I did but I wasn't that far gone to realise that what I was doing was very unhealthy. I got back to a healthy weight, but it has been hard to keep up a good eating pattern, so in the end it only made me gain. Now at 19, I weighed 150, came down to 140 and want to be 130. (I'm 5'9) Did my eating disorder screw up my metabolism for good or can I still improve it?

Thanks in advance for anyone willing to help!

 

[Backflip Matt]

dear expresso,
first off congratulations on losing 10 lbs!

Weight loss without exercise is not the healthiest approach to a better body. Because basically you are starving the fat off yourself. I think joining a gym would be an excellent idea. Except if you are injured, i cannot think of any excuse NOT to go to the gym. You can always wake up earlier. As for what type of exercise you do, I believe that starting out slow is a good idea. Instead of trying to do 40 minutes on the elliptical machine, why not start at 25-30 minutes? Use the HR monitor on the machine, and get a feel for what your HR should be. The rule i use is 180 bpm minus your age. So your target HR would be 161. As for weight training, you can do it immediately after your cardio, that way your HR is still elevated. When you feel comfortable you can increase the duration of exercise. As for frequency, that is up to you, but i would try to go no less than 4 days a week. But before starting any regimen, its a good idea to consult with your physician to make sure you are healthy.

And lastly, No, your eating disorder did not permanetely damage your metabolism. The human body is a versatile machine that will adapt to almost any abuse you throw at it. It sounds like your body already compensated for it, because you said you got back up to a healthy weight.

best of luck,

Matt