hi all. Ive come across this forum like i have for many other interests including computers, cars and music, all with the intention of staying put and seeing that i am of one who visits forums for help in whatever it may be, i decided it was time to put that into use for something that has plagued me for most of my life.. my weight.

as a back run, im an 18 yr old boy, almost going onto 19. Live in Australia and have a South American background. .Ever since the age of 9-10, i have been overweight. No denying it, i have had fat around my waist. As a kid who hardly ate vegetables during his teen years, however quite a bit of fruit and a LOT of red meat, i know that the problem has been my diet all along. i love my traditional foods that my parents used to and still cook, and i love my dining out and fast food.

Earlier on, between 9-15 i was quite overweight, however i went to see a naturopath at that stage. Shes a very good naturopath, i say it sincerely. I went with a weight of 71kg, and a height of 163cm, which was way outta the range that i should have been. With certain supplements and a focus on changing my lifestyle and eating habits, i reduced my weight to a point of 59kg, along with many centimetres around different areas of my body. I still had the flabby gut, however i felt good and 'skinny' for the first time in my life.

However, as the next 3 years passed, different things happened. Going out with friends, dining, alcohol, and a bit more individualism caused me to return to eating junk which i thought would stay off as i was playing soccer/goin to the gym. However, as my last year of school came, i stopped soccer and the gym to concentrate on studies.

The time went and with bad eating, i am now at a state of a height of about 180cm and 92kilos. I feel bad. after going through the success of losing weight before, i cant believe i am 30 kilos more now. I personally dont "look" 92 kilos, it could be my muscle mass/bone density, but i dont like being 92 kilos. My flab has gotten slightly bigger, i have lost the muscle i had put on during my time Gyming, and clothes i once use to wear proudly now are starting to feel tight.. some not even fitting me anymore.

Ive had enough.

Not in a denial of myself way.. but rather in a positive state. I think to myself sometimes, jeez i cant wait to have abs like that or biceps like that or run without exhaustion on the beach without a shirt on. I cant wait. At 18, i still think i have enough time, no, i have PLENTY of time to do it but would rather sooner than later, and live my 20s through a stage which i think i could have lived my teens with, but didn't. Slim, muscular and healthier than ever.

As a person who, (i thank to god and feel very lucky for) that has never had case with allergies, diseases, and physical/mental problems, i think that i have all to go for when i think of weight loss, and nothing to complain about. i have had motivation and willpower in every aspect of life, i know i can do something when i set my mind to, and i mean ANYTHING, however it seems that i never have done it for weight loss.

At this stage I guess i am opening up a bit to a forum of people who i think have had the same issue or one they can relate to. Over the next few days i'm going to keep reading through the forum the help and advice that people have shared positively to other members and attempt to accumulate more knowledge.

I can say that what i have written may be very jumbled up in areas, i have tried to make it as understandable as possible, while still saying what came to mind first..

thanks all for reading.. i guess this is a thread for me 'starting up' rather than asking for outright advice, and hope to be at a position, be it a few weeks, months or years down the track where i can say and think to myself 'hey ur looking alright '

having read through the 2 forums and posting this on Fitness, i probably should have posted the thread here first so here goes...

Good Luck man.

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Dude, we are the same boat. Same gender, age, weight and height... well basically.

I'm currently 90.0kg and 177-178cm and 18... well, I lie, today is my birthday and I turned 19.

I too have been overweight since a kid which is largely due to what my parents fed me and my lack of exercise and sports.

These forums have been nothing short of spectacular, and I recommend starting a diary as it really helps knowing exactly what you put into your mouth. Although I don't use it much myself, FitDay can help record everything you have eaten giving all the calories and nutrients.

It's good to see someone my age and I look forward to both are permanent weight loss.

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My Diary!

Next short-term goal: Maintain weight / 69.9kg

Good luck guys. I'm 29 now, and I wish I had done it at your age. Now I weigh 119 kg, so it's good you're nipping it in the bud.

My only advice at the moment is to challenge yourself not to eat heavily processed foods. For a real challenge, don't eat out, anywhere, for one month, and see how you feel. No McDonalds, no chips (are fries chips down under?), and unfortunately, no fosters.

Drink lots of water instead.

Think you can do it?

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I have (another) birthday dinner tomorrow night, but I haven't had McDonalds or chips (yes fries are chips down under) for over a month now.

And I've been drinking 3+ litres of water a day, as has been seen in my Diary.

Thanks for the advice.

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My Diary!

Next short-term goal: Maintain weight / 69.9kg

thanks for the quick and helpful replies people! this site seems very helpful so far and am motivated every minute to achieve my goals.

Geovicsha, its crazy that we're in so similar situations! I have started setting goals that i think are achievable in the next 6 months.

1. Change my eating habits. Limit my soft drink and fast food consumption to a minimum. A lifestyle change that i can agree too to feel as good as ever

2. Go to the gym consistently as i used to before the final year of school. A minimum of 3 nights a week in which i can commit to my routine that helped me so much before.

3. Take up Running. consistently 2-3 times a week do my around-the-block laps in order to maintain my weight. If you are going to treat yourself one day or a few days in say, a holiday period, fine do it, but get back on track running and rid it from your system

4. Reach my desired first goal weight of 75 kilos. My final weight i would like to balance at is 70-72 kilos. However with consistent motivation and performance i think i can reach this within the next 6 months, and while still 'shaping' my body fat into a more toned figure for the first time in my life.

i am starting my log on weight loss now and will be back to look for advice when i can. thanks again

Fantastic. I'm doing that myself and life just feels so optimistic lately.

I need to go the gym too. Once I continue Uni I will do so.

I'm power walking right now, I suck at running but I am starting to have jogs.

I agree. My desired weight is 70-75kg. I have no specific figure as long as I look healthier and feel healthier, but it would be around there.

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My Diary!

Next short-term goal: Maintain weight / 69.9kg