HI everyone I'm new to this forum and looking for support. I have been skinny all my life I mean I was told I had to gain weight then I turned 15 and started gaining weight and haven't stopped. I ideally want to lose 100 pounds just to be healthy. The problem is that I tried getting a gym membership and doing the gym thing but that didn't workout...I did it for 3 months then the whether changed and I started working more from like 7 am till 9pm so i had no chance to workout so basically I over payed for a membership. Another problem was the gym din't open till 9 am and so i could never go before work. So now my membership for the gym is up in a week and i want to put the money that i put towards that towards some gym equipment....what should i look at buying???? Walking doesn't work I walk alot I always have and so lossing weight walking doesn't work for me. I'm also going to the doctor to make sure its nothing medical. I'm going to be 20 in a couple of weeks and i just wanted to get my life back on track any tips would be great.
~Jaws

Hey Jaws!

Yeah walking will not get your heart rate up. I actually recommended this to another person today, but I would get an elliptical trainer. I've been using one since April and lost 77 pounds so far using it roughly 6 times a week. They are pricey but your putting in 14 hour days so maybe you can swing it, also make sure you dont buy a cheap one with ellipticals or any other gym equipment you get what you pay for, I'd look in the $1500 - 2000 range, its a heck of alot of money to put out but its the best investment I ever made, and I probably saved more than that by not eating mcdonalds and pizza. The best thing is park it in front of the tv watch whatever and crank up the music and just elliptical away, its probably the easiest thing you can do to lose weight. You might want to look into your diet too and clean that up, I had to do a drastic change on my eating but so far its worked awesome..well good luck to ya!

HI Jaws,

I can only agree with Fitski - an elliptical trainer sounds like a great choice. It's easy on your joints and gives you a great workout.
Also look into your diet. Try and figure out how many calories you consume per day and if it's from healthy foods or not. You need a certain amount of calories to function, but in order to lose weight, you have to ensure that you use more calories than you consume. Another suggestion is to invest in some free weights. Weight Training is an important factor in weight loss. Building muscle helps you burn more calories (fat). There are a few people here that know a lot more about it than I do, so you might want to snoop a bit to find some helpful ideas. Good Luck to you!

yea, everyone has good advice. To get the best results in weight loss, you must combine cardio, basic weight training, and a proper diet. The best exercise is still to do activities outdoors like running on a track, but if the weather isn't favoriable, an elliptical trainer is a very good option for all the reasons stated above.

Thanks for all the advice. I've been thinking about getting an elliptical trainer, it was my favourite thing to do at the gym, but i never know what i should be looking for...i'd take the one home from the gym if it was up to me. Anyway as far as diet goes I don't eat much I'm reaally picky. Does anyone know any good recipies with chicken breasts....thats pretty much the only meat I like and i don't eat fish or seafood.....I'm not one to eat chips or chocolate....though I love frozen yogurt...I just need help finding half decent meal ideas.
Thanks

Hey jaws

Good thinking for sure! the gym ones are really expensive like over 3k usually so I would look for either a precor model ( thats what I own ) Star Trac or Nordic track has a little bit cheaper models that are pretty good and at least you can get parts to repair them, I've had the console, wheels, and an axel pin go on mine so far, and I bought the 5.33 Precor model so be able to find the parts quickly to fix whatever you buy. As far as chicken breasts I eat Chicken Ceaser salad practically every day, love the stuff, I just dont use croutons, slice up 2 breasts and throw them into the salad, I also put them on garden salad too. You'll have to find some other foods you like or these will get boring pretty quick, too bad you dont like fish, I eat Tuna right out of the can, also steak is pretty good, I never really ate it before, just slice it up thin and put it on your salad, season it up, cajun, BBQ. and if your really having a problem finding stuff to eat you can drink 2 protein shakes, they taste alot people than they did a few years ago when my buddies were drinking them, Myoplex's are great and they have different flavors. good luck to ya!

one receipe that my roommate uses is put a little bit of water on a baking sheet and then throw on a bunch of spices ... pretty simple and keeps the chicken very juicy
myself, i'm pretty easy and just buy chicken from Costco and throw it on a Foreman grill

When i get outside, i like to do yard work, for me any movement is good, reaching down to pick up sticks from the trees, weeding plants, even washing the car is an activity. I love to walk too, but the road here is fast, Sundays are the best times to walk the road. You can incorporate exercise with getting something done & then enjoy your accomplishments.

that's an idea I should keep in mind. I never considered yard-work and weeding as exercise, always a chore for me...that's why I didn't plant a garden the past two years. Well...maybe next year...

thanks everyone for the replies...I have a doctor appointment next week and so i'm going to see what he thinks...My dad and i were talking and we don't understand why i can't lose the weight I mean i'm always on the go i never sit still when i get home from work....anyway i'm going to talk it over with the doctor

good luck and fill us in on the details