Diario di tylerethanparker, 24 mar 19

@keyten77 I play piano, guitar, and ukulele. I am not really into sports but at PE I play volleyball for a good 45 minutes out of our freetime. 

Thank you @chrisw77 

Hi Tyler. I am in the same boat! Im trying to reduce my calories in a healthy way, without resorting to an unsustainable diet. If your meal plan includes normal foods, you’ll be more likely to follow it. Give yourself time and be patient. If you lose 1-2 pounds per week (a healthy weight loss), it can take 2.5 to 5 months to lose 20 pounds. That might seem like a long time, but it is good practice eating healthy to set you up for a lifetime of success. I would recommend starting by choosing low calorie foods and snacks over high calorie (also called calorie-dense) foods. I eat the calorie-light foods on my plate before the calorie-dense foods. I’ve cut out any cookies/cakes/donuts through Easter. Another thing that helps me is to make sure I get adequate fiber each day from fruit and veg. Fiber is good for long term health, but also for satiety (making you feel full). Muscle burns more calories, so weight training is useful. Best wishes on your weight loss journey! 

@keyten77 I drink soda occasionally. I dropped it for Lent. I haven't craved it really. I do drink iced coffee as well. That will be the hardest to get rid of. I am planning of tracking my food daily on this site. 

The best diet is one that's sustainable for a long time that keeps YOU happy. For me, that means not enacting any restrictions that I'll give up once I'm at my goal weight. While I don't adhere to any diet in particular, the "whole food" diet is probably closest to my diet. I focus on meat, fruits, veggies and nuts and try to keep it balanced.. Added sugar will pack on the pounds. Stay active and count your calories for a while to get a good idea of how much you actually eat. You might really be surprised. Good luck! 

@keyten77 thanks so much 

@frostedfields yes i understand your point 

you don't have to give up iced coffee! just switch half and half for almond creamer and use splenda or stevia instead of sugar! don't give up everything you love, that leads to binge eating. take it from me  

@kaylinrenee okay thanks, I also drink starbucks refreshers and frappes. Should i start getting smaller sixes on the frappes 

Hi tyler, welcome! I hope you don't mind my asking, are your folks on board? So much of weight loss success is buying, planning and prepping what you will eat. Planning planning planning planning planning! You can see lots of post here showing what different ppl eat. A lot of ppl prep a bunch of their meals and snacks in advance each weekend so they can just "grab and go" during the week. What kinds of foods do you like? Do you like to cook? You can take the foods you like and experiment with making them lighter. For instance, it seems most of us like tacos. Many will do them as a salad or in lettuce wraps or on all cheese "shells," depending on our way of eating (WOE). I make a huge salad with all the toppings i enjoy, and i just crush up one shell on top. Or, we can plan ahead for taco Tuesday by cutting back other times during the week. Since so much of weight loss is about how we eat, most ppl have the best success when the ppl around them are supportive, but that isn't always the case. There are lots of different WOE, you just need to experiment with what will work for you. 😀 

I just turned 53 and i bought myself a ukulele two birthdays ago with a goal of learning. It is still on my list! 🎵🎵 

@jengetfit123 I really haven't brought it up with my mother yet. My stepfather and I do not get along so I will not mention it to him. But, I feel that if I tell my mother she would take it as a joke. I work at a daycare so I get paid. I can provide some of my healthier meals. I really like pasta. I love to cook. 

Its my understanding that teenagers need carbs so low carbs are probably out. That said, you can make some better choices that will soon add up...like an apple instead of apple pie. Learn the difference between nutritious choices and foods that are just calories. Cut back on fast foods and sodas and increase your activity in fun ways, like swimming, sports, bike riding. Run a 5K, join a hiking club, learn yoga. Make a list of the activities you really enjoy and a list of food and drinks that you really, really like that are lower in calories and actually good for you. The more you like what you do the more likely you are to stick to it. Always take the stairs. You might volunteer to mow the yard or to walk the dog. And practice portion control. ..find out what a serving of pasta is and stick to it..eat less garlic bread. You can do this because you are young, motivated and smart. . 

@linda carol caldwell thank you for that. I will test these tips out. 

Tyler-First of all good luck. It is a journey for all of us whether we need to lose 5lbs or 155 lbs. I agree with Linda. Follow proper portion sizes. It is amazing that when you go out to eat the portions are usually for 2-4 meals, not 1. Also, start moving and find something that works for you. Try a multitude of things. For example, I will never be a runner. Remember that all of the weight did not come on over night, so you will not lose it overnight. Be happy with the 1 lb loss just as much as the 5 lb weight loss. Do not restrict yourself so much that you will give up. Start slow and cut out things slowly. You got this!! 

You like pasta, buddy, so definitely check out pasta zero and zucchini noodles, you’ll cut down on calories. And, check the pasta sauce calorie amounts: 45 calories per serving is EXCELLENT! Look for sauce that is low on sugar. When you snack, and definitely do snack between eating meals, crunch on fresh fruit and veggies. Choose calorie free dressing to dip your carrots and broccoli in. Walden Farms makes several flavors, and they’re available in Walmart. Are you active? Do some walking/jogging to get your heart rate up every day, 30 minutes a day. Getting enough sleep at night? Sleeping enough is INTEGRAL to maintaining a healthy weight. Tyler, glad you’re here bud, and I’ll be watching your progress 🙏🏻 if I would’ve started when I was your age, I’d have saved myself years of agonizing stress trying to lose hundreds of pounds that packed on over time. You’re my HERO for getting after it now, kiddo. 

Hi Tyler, welcome! First I’d advise checking with your parents and doctor before starting ANY diet. I find CICO with flexible dieting worked well for me (40# loss in less than a year). (Calories in/calories out is just making sure you get the right amount of calories and burn off the right amount, flexible dieting isn’t rigid). I first cut out things like pop. That’s 140 kcal a can that I didn’t need! Propel water is just as flavorful, about the same price per ounce and healthier. I also cut out snacks then started adding snacks back in but they were raw veggies and things like 90 calorie snack bars. Slowly cut portions at meals down. Really listen to your body. If you are full 20-30 minutes after eating then you’ve had enough. If you are stuffed then you ate too much. Always look for lower calorie options. This may be hard if your parents won’t buy the foods you want for your diet. Sara Lee has bread for 45 calories a slice rather than 70-90 and 2% cheese is 45-50 cal rather than 60-80. I can have a sandwich and a serving of chips for 400 kcal or less. 

Google teenage boy TDEE and BMR calculators. I found one for my 13 year old daughter just the other day. It gave her a good idea as to what calories she should have on training days vs off days. (1800 vs 1600 with 2100 being a high for her for game days). I bet you are a bit higher than that as your a boy, a bit older and probably more muscular;). Good luck!