Help with Healthy Lifestyle change

[jryankennedy]

Hello all,

Before I get started please note that this post is about your typical, "I wanna lose weight and exercise; what do I do?!" I will do my best to make this post as original as I can.

A little about myself — I am a full time junior in college with student loans and a part time job bringing in about $100 per week. Typical poor college student. I'm living with my parents until I graduate so I am blessed with a few meals and a roof over my head. I am 20 years old, 6-foot 2-inches and 188 lbs.

I have a very unhealthy lifestyle. I eat out often, drink sodas and sweet tea, and do not exercise with the exception of running (well, more like jogging) a couple times a week. The only other exercise I get is running in 5K races (I do one every month) that I do in 30 minutes (10min/mile pace). I go to bed late and wake up to go to class every week day. Yuck.

Heres the part where you come in — what can I do to make my lifestyle healthier, and even more important where can I get the motivation and will power to make this change permanent? It's not that I have no motivation or will power, but I want to know what you do to stay fit and healthy.

I want to change. I will change. And I have goals.

The first goal is feeling better. I feel sluggish and I am not as happy as I once was. I want to feel like I can take on any challenge.

My second goal is to be able to run faster. I run with friends in 5K's, 10K's, and half marathons. I am always the last once to finish. I am beginning to love running and I want to take it to the next level.

My third goal is to look good. I want muscle and I want to show it off. Period. It will raise my confidence level and will please my lover

Where should I start? What tools do you use to your advantage? What are some great tips and tricks? How do you motivate yourself?

Thanks in advance for all your great input. I can't wait to hear what you have to say.

[LePatron7]

Well, for starters I'd cut out all the sugary drinks (sodas, possibly teas) and replace them with clean water.

Most people here eat raw animal foods (organs, muscle meats, eggs, etc.) For good health.

I suppose you could try to eat more raw animal foods if you want to feel better. Go for high quality animal foods. Think grass fed beef, lamb, buffalo. Antibiotic and hormone free. Pastured eggs. Wild caught fish. Etc.

Since this is the RAW paleo diet, the premise of our diet, though it varies from person to person. Is mainly raw, focusing on high quality foods, like I said with animal foods. But also, in order of preferance, wild, or organic fruits, veggies and nuts.

[goodsamaritan]

Get your parents involved in this education process.
They have all the money.
They do the shopping.
And they do the cooking, food preparation.

In my case, i'm the parent and the primary healer so i do all of the above for my family.