Is this a good motivation for loosing weight?

Question

My friend and I have decided to really try to loose weight-starting on Monday. From then on we are cutting out the constant junky snacks and candy we constantly eat when we hang out.

We are hoping to have a shopping spree in a few months to update our wardrobes to a slightly more sophisticated (and hopefully SMALLER) wardrobe. That day, he and I also might get haircuts or such.

He usually pays for the soda, candy, soft pretzels, cinnamon rolls, cookies, and other junk food we eat. We have decided to cut out bread sticks at Olive Garden (although we may split one on occasion). We always share meals when we eat out, and we are not getting appetizers like we used to (aside from California Pizza kitchen; we will most likely continue to eat the dumplings, pizza, and their red velvet cake as a treat).

We are starting to save for our shopping spree now, and I suggested that we continue to look at these places we are trying not to eat at. We will decide what we want to eat, and calculate the cost. This will include anything from candy to soft pretzels, to a high-calorie appetizer at a restaurant.

We will not buy those foods. Instead, my friend will set that amount of money aside for our shopping spree.

Is this a good motivation to help us loose weight? At least for my friend, I mean. I'm going to have to find a job in order to pay for new clothes, but I am hoping the support system of my friend is going to help.

I will probably use Weight Watchers as a quick and easy way to see if I'm eating enough or too much. I'm going to eat a lot more veggies than I have been, and more importantly, I'm working on limiting sugar (less-frequent trips for Slurpees), drinking more water than I do, and going on long walks each day.

I believe my friend will be doing Weight Watchers as his diet, as he has had success with it in the past.

His ultimate goal is to loose about 50 lbs. Mine is to loose closer to 50-70 lbs. Currently both of us are overweight (I am 190 lbs at 5'5"), and my doctor told me that I need to loose weight. We are not only doing this for cosmetic reasons (though that is a big part of it).

We are both 17 years old, if that makes any difference. He is a senior in high school, and I am a freshman in college (early graduation).

Answer 1

Well, eating healthy is great and will definitely improve on things. But most important is that Cardio fitness!!!

Best guess is to Run/walk/bike/jump rope three to four times a week for at least 30-45 minutes.

What this will do is kick that heart-rate and start burning off the fat!

Let me tell you ahead of time, DONT FOLLOW FAD DIETS!

All those sites, weight watchers, adkins, acai diet, yada yada yada, are set up for failure!!!

They are particularity set up to help you lose pounds fast, and yes they will do that, but wanna know why???

They do it the unhealthy way, and I guarantee, in 2-3 months after you stop the exact diet plan... you'll gain all the weight back in record time!

This is how those companies make their money, you'll come back again since you lost the weight once!

Heres the truth, simply eat veggies, and eat healthy, do your cardio fitness, and in no time you'll feel better and start to loose the weight.

Slow and steady wins the race! If you loose the weight too fast, your more likely to gain it all back. Its usually said loosing 1-2lbs weekly is best.

I wish you and your friend luck!

Answer 2

Well, you two are young, what about buying one outfit for every milestone you guys set? That way you're not wasting your money only on clothes and you can save some in a bank account (for a rainy day). The real incentive would be to get healthy. Avoiding junk food is always a plus, best of luck to you too I know how difficult it can be to lose weight and maintain.