Strange question

[JoshDude]

First of all, I don't really know where to place this. Just seemed like a safe spot.

Well, my issue is that I'm sort of afraid of going out (anywhere really: movies, out for a walk, bike riding, driving, etc).
I am over weight. Not by a huge amount, but still overweight.
I believe that this impacts on me psychologically and such because it prevents me from doing things that I used to.
I am very afraid of what people think of me.
Because I am overweight, when ever I go out of the house, even just out the front I am afraid that people are looking at me and thinking bad things just because of my appearance.

So I guess I could just lose weight right? Its not that simple, considering it's hard for me to go out and ride my bike because I'm afraid.
One of my friends said "Who cares what people think. Just go out and ignore them". This was good advice but I can't stop thinking about how people judge me (even though most people won't care anyway)

Any suggestions?
Sorry for long post. =)

[Skhorpion]

I'm overweight and I just make up for it by being an absolutely hilarious person to be with.

You could always get some type of exercise machine so you could lose weight in privacy.

[xGreenling]

It sounds to me like you're less afraid of what others will think, and more afraid of your own negative self-image.

Maybe take up something like tai chi or yoga to help you relax? It helps to find your centre. If you're sure of yourself - not arrogant, but... I don't know, zen? - then that can help you feel less anxious about what others might think.

[Camazotz]

You have to be comfortable with your own image. If you can do that, you won't care what people think of you. I think you should start working out and eating healthier to lose weight. When you gain self-confidence, you'll be able to be more active.

[Kaleidoscope Eyes]

Hey, I hear ya buddy. I had all of my growth spurts as a kid, and for years went through a cycle of gaining 20 pounds, then shooting up a few inches. During the gaining weight stages I always felt terrible about myself - all of my friends were fairly normal-sized children, short and almost ridiculously skinny. So when I stopped growing at about 12, and the extra weight fell off, I was so happy to feel like I looked like everyone else again. Last year I was put on a medication that, as a side-effect, made me gain weight. I gained about 30 pounds, and I still haven't dropped it. I know what it's like to feel "fat" even though it's only a few pounds, or to be embarrassed to go outside some days. I find myself every week at school, wishing I could suck my stomach in more because most of my classmates are thinner than me. Since I'm working on my weight too, I'll share what I've been doing lately to try and get healthier. You may want to use the restroom or get a drink now, because this may be a post of epic proportions--even for me. XP



I've been keeping track of what I eat. Sounds simple enough, right? Try to keep a log of everything you eat for 3 days. Every meal, every snack. Read the labels, make a guess as to how many servings you had, and count it up. Many fast food joints have nutrition info for their food online if you need to look that up. Later, look at what you ate. Is there a lot of junk? Do your sandwiches have 3 servings of mayo instead of 1? Have you realized that a serving of some foods is a much smaller portion than you'd expect? Use the information to make some changes. The average adult should eat between 1800 and 2000 calories per day, depending on size and activity level. So, those who are more active may need to eat more to stay fueled, and those who are short in stature may not need as much. NEVER go on less than 1500 calories per day, and if you find yourself getting hunger headaches definitely step it up. In general, try to keep yourself under 2000, but stay healthy.
Since you may be eating less now, you need to be sure that you still get the nutrients you need. This doesn't have to mean eating cardboard though! Go to the store with whoever does the grocery shopping for your household, or contribute to the shopping list. Fresh fruits and veggies are important, and if you try some new ones you're sure to find one that you can't get enough of. For me, that means mangoes, plums, kiwis, pears, blackberries... I can always find something good that's in season. You might also check out foods by Kashi, which you can find at your local grocery store. They make cereals, granola bars, fruit bars, even cookies and frozen meals, and it's all good for you. They're chock full of fiber, protein, and the amount of fat is proportionate to what you need. Many options are all natural (if not totally organic) and some of their meals are even vegetarian. It's all designed to work with your body to keep you healthy and feeling great so check it out.
Those frozen lunches won't work well for school though, so what do you eat? If your school is anything like my high school was, you're probably surrounded by vending machines full of sugary Powerades, and cafeteria lunches which aren't always the healthiest. So bring some of that fruit we talked about in your bag lunch to school! That natural fruit juice is always refreshing after a full morning of classes. :) Bring a water bottle or 100% fruit juice instead of a soda, and toss in a sandwich. Peanut butter is full of protein, or for something more substantial you could even make a meat sandwich (with lettuce and tomato, if you like those, but definitely go easy on the mayo or substitute mustard). That isn't a huge meal, so on a typical school day I might bring a Kashi bar or one of their yummy trail mix cookies for a mid-morning snack to keep me going. Yes, you can actually eat those cookies when it's not time for dessert, that's how awesome they are.
You just cut out a soda full of empty calories at lunch so, if you get the urge, feel free to treat yourself to one later. Nor more than one per day though, and try not to drink them every day! I'm a sucker for fizzy, brightly colored beverages like anyone else, but once you get into the habit of drinking less you'll find that you don't crave it so much. You may even find yourself turning down soda at a friend's house or a restaurant even if you haven't already had one that day (shocker, right?).
The next step is of course exercise. This doesn't have to mean feeling embarrassed at the gym or jogging down the street. You can jump rope for something like 10 minutes a day, or use a treadmill or elliptical machine if you have one. I have a schedule that I follow. I have taken exercises from Seventeen magazine's monthly workout routines, and picked out a few for each muscle group. I'll work my arms and abs on Monday, jog on the elliptical for 25 minutes on Tuesday, work my legs on Wednesday, and start over on Thursday. Sunday is my free day when I can let myself relax. Talk to a parent, or brave that dreaded gym and talk to an employee. They can help you figure out what you need to work on and what exercises can get you to your goal. It's their job to help you, so don't be embarrassed. Plus, everyone else is at the gym for the same reason, right?
Talk to a doctor about a safe weight goal, and ask friends and family to let you know if you're going overboard. Remember that health is the goal as much as weight is, so don't ignore it. It's not safe to lose more than 1 or 2 pounds per week (at the very most), so keep that in mind as well. It doesn't seem like much, but in two months that can be as much as 10 or 15 pounds lost!

Overall, stay motivated. You can do this. Don't let me beat you to the finish line! xP

For added tips, pick up a copy of Lighten Up by Charles Stuart Platkin. It's designed specifically for teens who want to lose weight and get healthier, and the author himself struggled with his weight throughout much of his young life. The book tells how he lost the extra pounds, keept it off, and how you can too--without some crazy diet scheme! It's all about healthy habits, and that's all you need. Good luck! And remember, there are people who are more overweight than you are and they still manage. Don't let a few extra pounds keep you from having fun. You only get one life, you might as well get the most from it. :)

[Pompey1994]

I'm overweight and I just make up for it by being an absolutely hilarious person to be with.

You could always get some type of exercise machine so you could lose weight in privacy.


you dont call yourself hilarious talk about being big headed

[Cindex]

you dont call yourself hilarious talk about being big headed
Hey just leave him. Have you met him in person? Maybe saying it makes him feel better. Isn't that what we're all here for? :yes:

Anyways, you really shouldn't care. Most of the time I get dressed in the dark and my clothes don't match a lot. My hair is horrible looking and I dyed it black a while ago. None of my clothes fit right because I'm an awkward shape.

But, I don't really care what people think. All I need is one friend. And I have four really really close friends, so I'm perfectly content. That's all you need. A "better" body isn't going to make life better.

You should see Carlos! :D Everyone feels good about themselves around him. Never met a rounder guy, but he's always happy. He laughs at everything and doesn't care what anyone thinks. Just be kinda like that? :)