Wow about 6 feet? You really should body build then. If I were that tall, I would go all out, but since I'm about 5'6-5'7 so I'd only look bulky. Most people who lift only lift like about 5 days max a week. I'll link you to a page that has a pretty good lifting routine when I find it. You can lose weight fast if you don't take up the use of protein. That was my personal experience. Maybe try to lose about 20-30 lbs first from working out before adding on protein.

Whatever reason you find, just stick with it. It'll help you drive yourself when lifting.

And just your luck then! Most people who lift do not need veggies. Protein is the key really, but it would still help you out if you did eat some leaves. I just eat broccoli every now and then.

edit:
This would be a good routine to follow:
http://www.teenbodybuilding.com/transt2.htm

Honestly, I don't want to wind up like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Just enough build to look ripped. Will lifting also help with other parts of the body like the stomach or legs, or are there separate things I need to do for them?

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Haha. Screw the protein then. You'll lose a good enough weight and maintain being toned.

It will help them out. When you work out other parts of your body, your muscles in the legs and stomach usually help out with lifting. However, if you want to lose more body fat, it'd be good to work them out too since you can only lose fat through losing your overall body fat %. There's no such thing as spot reduction that targets a certain part. Occasional sit ups/crunches would be good along with running/jogging.

Honestly, I don't want to wind up like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Just enough build to look ripped. Will lifting also help with other parts of the body like the stomach or legs, or are there separate things I need to do for them?

i guarantee you will never look like arnold. the amount of work and dieting that it takes to obtain a body like that is something most people can't even fathom. in short: don't worry about it

what do you mean by 'lifting'...? naturally the only body parts that will tone are the ones that are targeted or used in your exercise routine.

I would suggest instead of going just cardio you should do a balance of both. Lifting weights build muscle, and muscle will burn more energy than fat. Couple this with cardio a few times a week and you should see results.

I say this because I can probaly guess you're not used to a lot of physical activity. Lifting weights 3 times a week with some sort of cardio every day should be more manageable. As your body gets used to it you add on more activity.

In other words get a gym membership, and if you can afford it get a couple of sessions with a personal trainer. They are experts and will give you a general outline of what to follow. They will also show you some proper technique.

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Thanks to Kai-V for the avatar and signature!

It's harder for taller people to become body builders as opposed to people who are shorter/average height.

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I'm Ommy
http://unqualify.blogspot.com

That's what I was thinking of, G. Artie, by lifting I mean bench press, squats, etc. I have a bench press here at home that I can use for most of this. Khel, I'll give cardio a try when I can afford a gym membership.

So...as far as the dieting goes, all I need to do is keep away from junk food, right?

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Deadlifting is good too, but learn the proper form first before doing it.

Pretty much. This includes pop/soda, candy, chips, craptasic meats (jerky/hotdogs) and stuff like that.

That's what I was thinking of, G. Artie, by lifting I mean bench press, squats, etc. I have a bench press here at home that I can use for most of this. Khel, I'll give cardio a try when I can afford a gym membership.

So...as far as the dieting goes, all I need to do is keep away from junk food, right?

Also start keeping track of calories you consume. Right down everything you eat. It seems excessive, but it's a great way to remind you how much you have eaten. At least until you get the hang of it all.

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Thanks to Kai-V for the avatar and signature!

That's what I was thinking of, G. Artie, by lifting I mean bench press, squats, etc. I have a bench press here at home that I can use for most of this. Khel, I'll give cardio a try when I can afford a gym membership.

So...as far as the dieting goes, all I need to do is keep away from junk food, right?

you don't need a gym membership for cardio. go running.

and it's not just staying away from junk food--its portion control and actually putting decent food in your body. vegetables, fruits, whole grains, dairy, protein et al.

i ran today in my new shoes and jesus it felt amazing--my shin splints were gone and i was able to easily double my normal distance

if there's any runners in here, make sure your shoes are not worn out--it makes a big difference.

I'm doing running on my cardio day now. I must say it feels great
I lungs feel a lot better though I need to catch my breath since I haven't ran in ages. Do you just run in tennis shoes or actual running shoes? I was thinking of getting running shoes for badminton, but I probably wouldn't want to run with them outside.

I've also added oatmeal in my diet instead of just grainy cereal. I never knew how much protein it has. I might consider adding cottage cheese somewhere, but I'm not sure how much I'll actually eat.

I'm doing running on my cardio day now. I must say it feels great
I lungs feel a lot better though I need to catch my breath since I haven't ran in ages. Do you just run in tennis shoes or actual running shoes? I was thinking of getting running shoes for badminton, but I probably wouldn't want to run with them outside.

I've also added oatmeal in my diet instead of just grainy cereal. I never knew how much protein it has. I might consider adding cottage cheese somewhere, but I'm not sure how much I'll actually eat.

I run in running shoes; I went to an running store to get fitted for the kind of shoe I would need (I was fitted with some Mizuno Wave Inspire 5s) and if you're serious about running, I definitely recommend that route.

and yes, oatmeal is amazingly good tasting and good for you. i'd add cottage cheese in with your lunch if possible; a lunch of cottage cheese, whole wheat bagel, and maybe some carrots is a favorite of mine.

I probably will sometime since I have all summer

Do you mix anything with your cottage cheese? I hear people put in pineapple, but I'm not sure if that'd taste good...

Probably personal preference but I've had cottage cheese with pineapple in and it was truly horrible.....

I find it's really nice on it's own though. Refreshing. A substitute for cream cheese...

Alright, I'll probably avoid it then haha. I wouldn't get protein from it anyways.

I think I'll combine Artie's bagle idea with your use of a sub for cream cheese now. Might be a little runny, but that should still work as well.

Well you might like it, do you normally like cheese with fruit in it?

I'm not sure if it'd be as good for you if it were cooked but I sometimes have cottage cheese and spinach (mixed with fried onions, herbs, etc too) in a lasagne/plait (by plait I mean you roll out the pastry, put the filling in the middle and then plait thick strands of the pastry over the top). Dunno if that sounds odd to you but it's quite nice....

I probably will sometime since I have all summer

Do you mix anything with your cottage cheese? I hear people put in pineapple, but I'm not sure if that'd taste good...

I just eat it plain.

For those of you wishing to get back into shape, I'd say a good start would be to subscribe to Men's Health magazine. They have this free program on their website called Belly Off. For those of you who don't know where to start, try here. They give you options on what to cook for meals and a diet, a workout schedule, etc. The statistics for the program are pretty high, so take a look.

But more than anything else, you have to have the motivation to do so. Old habits die hard. If you really want to stay in shape, you can't allow yourself to cheat in your diet or make excuses not to exercise. Make specific goals with specific deadlines in order for this to be a little easier.

In the end, it's all on you. Just because you're on the internet doesn't mean you have to adhere to the stereotype.

So guys, I've been having a bit of a back problem lately. My dad noticed that my posture seems to have gotten worse and I myself have noticed my spine curving more than it should (or what it was like before) especially when I put out of chest.

Anything I should do to not make it worse/help it get better before I see a chiropractor?

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I've been sitting straighter this past year to fix my posture and straighten my spine, but I'm not sure about your case. If it hurts, I'd definetly go and see a doctor/chiropractor. Have you been working out wrong with like improper form or anything?

oh i way 146 pounds and i am over 6 feet and i have been working out alot and plus i like to run and walk alot so its easy for me to stay heathy

I've been sitting straighter this past year to fix my posture and straighten my spine, but I'm not sure about your case. If it hurts, I'd definetly go and see a doctor/chiropractor. Have you been working out wrong with like improper form or anything?

No, but my I think it might be the chair I use for the computer. Both that and the desk is not ergonomic, so that must be another reason too (i type/browse/play games etc leaning to the left a little bit)...

It hurts, but only a little bit when I bend down and come back up again (even slowly).

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BT, have you been checked for scoliosis or anything?

Switch the chair I guess and get off the computer I guess? Haha just kidding... about the second part. If it's chronic pain, I'd still advise you to see a doctor and they'd probably recommend you to a chiropractor if needed. How long has this been happening for? Also, are you doing sit ups still?