Newbie looking for someone to guide me

[denali1005]

Hi all,
I have been lurking for a while and have decided to join up and get my butt in gear. I have several questions that I can't seem to get answers to so here it goes....

Over the years I was never had a problem staying trim and it took little effort to tone up. The last few years have absolutely destroyed me physically, my Dr. recommended that I "take charge" and take care of myself. I am 5'6 155lbs and miserable. I feel like hell, I hate the way I look, I smoke a pack a day, and I have no energy. I was on sleep meds for a year and when I came off of them my metabolism took a huge hit. I am ready to change for the better.

The last few months I have been easing into Cardio and doing some minor lifting. Due my schedule and location I am limited to working out at home. I do own a Bowflex, a few videos that I like, and I am looking to purchase Shaun T's Insanity and/or P90x to get myself back in shape.

Where my confusion lies in in Supplements for women. I am looking to lose a little weight but I am more concerned with being healthy and fit. I am quiting smoking and need to "trick" my metabolism into dealing with it. Besides a good Multi, Fish/ Flax Oil, and Whey Protein, is there anything else I should be using to supplement?

I am following a fairly strict eating plan....no processed food, no alcohol, no soda, etc....I plan on following a plan tuned to training as I excel. It's just a lot to take in, I want to do it right. Any advice you can give would be great, it's awsome to find a site like this.

Thanks in advance.

 

[InnerFight]

Having helped a few people from a similar point as what it sounds like you are at I may be able to guide you a little.

In all honesty from your short piece you seem to know what you want which is a great start. It seems that one of your greatest worries is the smoking. Now with people quitting smoking the issue is two fold, firstly they are used to smoking and secondly their body naturally craves the nicotine. So its a habit as we as an addiction. Both need kicking.

The first is easier as we can chnage your habbits, so as you have done you have to set clear goals and outline what you are going to do. Now in your case I would see the intricate details as the most important thing, plan alomst down to the sip of water from you glass. This will keep you more than occupied, thats my point here. In planning plan all yoru meals, up to 6 or 7 small ones a day as these will keep you busy and keep your metabolism ticking really nicely, however only eat at these times, dont be tempted to bad snack and dont over eat, keep the portions ncie and small.

The addiction part will slowly (and slightly painfully) leave you, many people say pain is all the bad coming out, this may be true for you as a lot of that horrible stuff you have been putting in whilst you smoked needs to come out and it will. By letting is come out and being positive about it coming out again your brain should endorse this. Also as you will be busy thinking about your next meal etc as noted above your mind will be focussed elsewhere.

One thing that I would suggest at some stage is a good 7 or 21 day detox, now you have a choice you can do it from the start and almost go cold turkey or you can get things on track and then hit yourself with a detox, there are arguaments for both sides.

I believe one thing is key in all this, that is finding a solution that is sustainable for you and is going to give you the results you want. A lot of people always look to supplements and there is a lot of evidence which supports the use of them and I have used and will continue to use many. But one thing that I think people dont often look towards enough is what naturally is available to them. There is some great foods out there, get invovled and let nature take its course.

The final and always the most important cog to get in place is the brain, this is for me around 80% of the process at times, get in the right frame of mind, get people around you in the right frame of mind and then go out and do it.

As we say ENDURE and CONQUER and you will ACHIEVE.

All the best.

 

[denali1005]

Thank You so much for your reply.

I have quit in the past, I truly believe that my addiction is more "physical" than anything. As long as I have something to distract me I should be fine. I do have an addictive personality of sorts so replacing a negative (smoking) with a positive (fitness) should prove to be good for me.

When I do something I always go all out. I do my research, make my plan, and stick to it. I am results driven for sure.

I suppose I won't need much supplementation to begin with but I will need a few things I am sure. I need a recovery formula, a mullti, and some sort of whey I am guessing...any suggestions there?

I just wanted to say thanks again for the information and support. My husband was diagnosed in April with Cancer and seems to be recovering nicely. We will both be starting over and getting back to who we used to be. It's amazing hoe easily it is to lose sight of things. We both we on top of our games for so long and let it slip it away, I look forward to learning from you all.