<p>I’m somewhat of a snob when it comes to football, partially because I think it’s an overrated sport (which is also due to me being a swimmer), but I also have to disagree. There are a lot of sports out there that have a fine line between being healthy and being athletically fit. Perhaps ballet is not a good example, but while dancers are skilled, some are forced to lose weight. But perhaps you’re right, people burn fat differently.</p>
<p>I was curious because I have a friend who is a bigger guy, and recently started working out more. He didn’t really start losing weight until he changed his diet. He used to eat all meat and carbs, so the muscle would just develop with the body fat. He’s been eating vegetables and fruit now, and the changes are very much more noticeable.</p>
<p>Part of the problem (based upon what my doc tells me) is that I was on steroids for most of my life as a kid due to brain surgery. I was obese as a young child. Slowly but surely, I’m coming out of it. </p>
<p>In addition, because of my family’s income, I can’t diet unless I want to essentially crash diet. And my mom refuses to cook in healthier ways (and due to the lack of food in the house, I can’t cook for myself). She did let me be a vegetarian for about 4 months but then decided that it was too expensive, so I had to go back to eating her grease-ridden food and still do. However, I plan on going back to being a vegetarian once I start college, which I’m hoping may help. </p>
<p>Thirdly, I have to walk 20 miles (10 each way) to get to the rec center. I only go 2-3x a week, and in the winter, sometimes only once.</p>
Good point… I realized this back in high school. I don’t walk, I run, but sllooowwwllyyy (because I can only go so fast, lol), and just 3 miles takes me a whopping 35 minutes. But yes, I know, I stay in the 3rd lane when I use the track and other people are using it.</p>
<p>Going vegetarian is of course a very valid choice, but you have to make sure that you get enough complete protein, which can be a pain. If you want to do this solely for the perceived health benefits and not because of a moral stand, I’d suggest adding lean meats into your diet.</p>
<p>Lots of vegetables and fruit are of course a must, and you can avoid the greasy fatty meats while still eating things like grilled chicken or fish.</p>
<p>As for in regular gyms, I don’t know if most people are like me, but I’d try to avoid looking at the other people exercising because that might seem awkward. If that applies to your gym as well, then no one will care.</p>
<p>@ catsushi: Different people’s bodies have different abilities to lose weight, and the longer an individual has had excess fat the harder it is for their body to get rid of it (as in it literally is harder for an individual who is X weight N height to lose Y pounds than for another X,N individual to lose Y if the first individual has been fatter for a longer duration of time). There are some people who can’t reach normal weight unless they really crash diet.</p>
<p>It’s not ignorance. Healthy food is expensive, and especially with these economic times, it’s a big problem in the US. An item on the dollar menu is cheaper than buying organic fruits and vegetables from Wholefoods. As ASC explained:</p>
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<p>College will be a great time for you to try out a different lifestyle. Of course, be careful with dieting. I wouldn’t recommend becoming a vegetarian, just limit yourself to the amount of meat you eat. People only need a small serving of meat per day. I would see if there is somebody you can talk to at your college to help you out with this, so you have the right information before you start trying anything new. Most colleges have health resources for students to use.</p>
<p>Can you visit the school and check out the athletic facilities? That may be the way to go. I know that at my sons’ D3 schools, they had separate facilities for athletes, as does my college, but I don’t know if that is always the case. I know that my current freshman was very interested in what intramural, club activities and resources were available at the schools that he was investigating, and it did enter into the decision equation. As it should. If working out is a regular and important part of your life, you do not want to pick a place that does not offer the facilities for you to exercise easily and comfortably.</p>
<p>As someone else mentioned (and as I mentioned), the problem is income. My parents want to eat what they want, and I want to eat what I want–but of course, they’re paying for it and so, they get to chose. They chose lots of read meat, butter, potatoes, and pasta. Nothing I can do about it; they get ****y if I ask them to do anything different. </p>
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<p>Sorry if I sounded like I was being backwardly boastful or something. I mentioned that only because I was talking about being on the track when others are out there; I’m slow (which is what I was saying), so I stay out of their way and in a different lane, just as another poster here suggested.</p>
<p>Between now and when you start going to college,why don’t you try getting in shape now and during the summer? That would save you a lot of trouble…</p>
<p>I’m a regular gym-goer…i can understand how difficult and embarrassing it might be to try your hardest to lift or exercise when the people around you are outstanding physical specimens…people who are really out of shape do stand out, and will get noticed, but they won’t be made fun of. at the end, you’ll be respected for your work ethic and guts to go work out.</p>
<p>"people who are really out of shape do stand out, and will get noticed, but they won’t be made fun of. at the end, you’ll be respected for your work ethic and guts to go work out. "</p>
<p>Its called self control…no matter what your parents serve as long as you eat LIMITED PROPORTIONS and train hard you should be able to lose weight… you don’t need to eat organic or have all the latest trendy diet foods to get in shape. its all about hard work and no excuses</p>
<p>Yes, if you are a swimmer, you would think the way you do. While I do not disagree with the health factor, being a football player, i know those guys are in shape, even if they are big. Even if they turn all that fat into muscle, they will still be big guys. They will never be skinny minies. </p>
<p>Basically, you can be fat and in shape, but most likely not healthy for the long road.</p>