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[radioheadrule83]

I was looking at a childhood picture before... like most kids, fresh faced, rosy cheeked, full of energy... I even had long hair as a really young kid. Then I looked in the mirror. I can't grow my hair without it looking like a big rediculous ginger afro, I am ultra pale/sickly looking and the beer belly has begun. I'm 21 by the way.

What next? man tits? Oh I can see it now. Ugh. The only thing improving with age seems to be my skin. Spots sucked.

I have several cavaties under construction (or deconstruction) in my mouth that I'm ignoring because I can't stand getting my gums needled at the dentist. I have had an ingrowing toenail which I basically ignored and tried to fix myself. I grew the nail quite a bit so I was sure it wouldnt go into my skin again, and I've not made the mistake of trimming them that short again, but my toe is still sore.. kinda like a bruised feeling. I'm still ignoring this because I don't want it to be lanced. Much. I went for an eye test the other day, and 8 hours a day of looking at computer screens at work followed by hours of videogames has finally had an effect. I need glasses. The brightest molars, the angel-like complection, and all things bright and happy are not long for this world.

Here's the thing. I have come to accept that as my life goes on, the quality of it will get worse. I will get worse. But if there's one thing I am NOT prepared to accept, its being fat. Fatness is awful. I want to pursue some life improving initiatives... for example: I am growing a beard. I like beards, I think I'd look good with one. I'm still at a bit of a messy phase with it, but I don't think I'll have to stick with it long now. I am going to pay good money to have my hair like I want it, and buy nice new clothes. I am going to go to normal nightclubs and bars (ones that *shock horror* don't play rock and heavy metal) and I may even talk to strange girls I don't know or really have an interest in knowing.

But making sure I don't get fat is crucial to all of this. Or I'll be a bad mouthed, foot amputated, fat, bearded, bespectacled ginger guy with man tits.

HELP ME!!

Staying away from alcohol is unlikely, and I only have about two nights a month where I actually drink anyway. So with this in mind does anyone have any advice?

Dietry/excercise? Anything? I've been told by folks in the real world to try Atkins, cut down on bread and potatoes n stuff like that. Should I just end myself?

Thom

 

[Tritroid]

One of the best things you can do when your body looks like shit is to start a good workout program.

It works wonders for everything body related: Fat drops, muscles tone, energy increases, mental attitude becomes positive, etc.

It also helps to eat right. No, that doesn't mean going off the deep end with something as extreme as Atkins (Atkins is dangerous), but just eat better. More vegetables and fruit and less sweets. Also, think about cutting meal portions.

Once the workout plan starts to take effect and make you feel better about yourself, because it will, follow that up with other bodily spoils. Buy yourself some new (expensive) clothes, go to a tanning bed, find a new cologne or body wash, etc.

Garuanteed you'll feel like a new man in no time.

 

[LordPhlegm]

Work out, as Tritroid said. It's great.

 

[Boogie]

Screw Atkins. Just start with the exercise. You didn't really detail your current diet, are you eating right?

As far as exsercising goes, I'm naturally going to pimp martial arts, because with martial arts, at least for me, it keeps your mind involved so you don't get bored. It can be easy to get bored lifting weights, or running, but if you're also learning new self defence skills and techniques in addition to getting in shape, it's easier to stick with it.

As for specific recommendations, I recommend a good kickboxing or Muay Thai club as the best pure workout. So find a club in your area, try out a class, and if they work you until you're about to collapse, then you've found a good club.

edit: As an aside, about a year ago one of my friends came to me and wanted me to teach him martial arts. He wanted a hobby outside of school (he's in a jazz performance program), and he also wanted to just get in shape.

We started in January, hitting pads and stuff, showing him basic techniques. He got a little frustrated at first because he didn't seem to notice any physical improvements. But by July, there was a complete change. Before we started, he was about 205 pounds. In July he was at 174, with noticeable improvement in the definition of his arms and shoulders.

He's testament to what can happen when you just sweat your ass off for an hour and a half twice a week.

 

[MoxManiac]

I had the opposite effect really, I was fat as a teenager and looked like shit, now i've started my 20s, i'm thin again and look fine.

Yeah, fatness sucks ass. Especially in the teen years.

 

[IAmtheFMan]

Any "miracle" diet such as Atkins is not long term. The vast majority of what you're shedding is water weight, and so yes, you'll drop a few pounds but you'll still have as much fat as you did.

My advice? Eat better and exercise. Yeah, it's been said probably a million times before but this is the ONLY way to shed the pounds and keep them off. Don't expect results over night though.

 

[radioheadrule83]

Thanks for the advice so far fellas.

I got access to a bench/weights, I guess I could start hitting that. Any other particular exercise recommendations? I don't feel comfortable running in my area. Full of morons.

I'll check around for martial arts clubs but if its going to require lengthy travel, I'll be honest, I'd struggle to keep it up.

 

[Tritroid]

It's good that you have access to weights, are these free weights or machines? If they're machines, they're good to start out with and adjust your muscles, but once you hit a certain point you won't advance at all. This is your hint to move on to free weights, where the real muscle training begins.

As far as running goes, you have multiple options. You could either find a local gym that has running or step climbing machines. Or, you could find a local park where population isn't as high as it is on the street and run there for a good hour.

 

[SlickWilly223]

Whatever you do, start slow and work your way up. Don't jump into the weight lifting area especially, you'll do more harm than good.

When I wanted to fill in I hit my chest, biceps, triceps, and legs. Of course, looking back now I wish I started with my stomach and back too, because they really shape the way you look.

 

[Socreges]

Dietry/excercise?

Yes.

Thread over.

 

[Boogie]

Whatever you do, start slow and work your way up. Don't jump into the weight lifting area especially, you'll do more harm than good.

When I wanted to fill in I hit my chest, biceps, triceps, and legs. Of course, looking back now I wish I started with my stomach and back too, because they really shape the way you look.

See, the thing is, I get the feeling he's not looking for all this complicated advice. The more complicated you make getting into shape sound to him, the more frustrated he's likely to get.

That's why I advocate MA's. Don't worry about all the lingo, or worrying about what muscle groups to target, etc. You just get a damn good workout, which will eventually give you results.

 

[fart]

end it

 

[Myllz]

DDR + Salad.

 

[XS+]

A heathy 21-year-old body doesn't go into a 'downward spiral.' You can keep yourself looking and feeling like a late teenager for years if you take care of yourself right now. Diet and exercise like everyone else said, and general hygiene (clip your toes properly and you won't get hangnails or run the risk of nail fungus, 'get your gums needled at the dentist' and floss reglarly, etc).

 

[speedpop]

Basically what everyone else said. I think it is also wise to try and constantly think positively.

My partner's father is reaching his mid 50's but looks like he's in his early 30's. Reason being is that he drinks water all the time as well as herbal tea quite a lot and maintaining that perfect balance with vitamins through food itself, not relying on those body enhancer pills (whether vitamin-based or not) is probably the best thing you could do as well.

 

[Bog]

I got access to a bench/weights, I guess I could start hitting that. Any other particular exercise recommendations?

www.exrx.net

 

[Ryu]

Take the Lester Bernham approach to life -- when it all goes to shit, workout, smoke pot, buy a firebird, and fantasize about your daughter's hot high school girlfriend.