Does anyone think this is possible?

I want to lose weight...i currently weight 220lbs and i'm 5'8/ I have always been fat...but i'm pretty active..i have bought my self a gym membership and i go jogging almost every night...

I want to lose weight...i currently weight 220lbs and i'm 5'8/ I have always been fat...but i'm pretty active..i have bought my self a gym membership and i go jogging almost every night..(i try at least) its so HARD!!! i feel like **** when i jog...cant breath..and i have HORRIBLE side aches..but i am SOOO deturmined. i want to join the AIR FORCE...that is my goal..does anyone think that is is possible for me to do this? a complete 360 lifestyle turn around...THEN join the military? i am willing to work..i just need help! any advice for me?

guapomit	yea change your diet and keep exercising push yourself hard but not to hard and you can accomplish your goal

Ki	Anything is possible! Just don't set outrageous goals, just small goals at first. Keep thinking positive. Eating right will help also. Don't try any of those stupid fad diets, anything you lose, you will gain right back when you go back to eating normally. Good luck!

cool dude	Yes, yes, and yes. My advice is to always be active. Eat LEss.

ronjesszla	Go for it. You sound determined enough and that is what it takes to make life changes like the ones you are talking about.

youngchris2008	Yes anything is possible man. Even when the odds are against you. When you believe in yourself anything is possible!!!

Espectacularrrrr!	Hang on, you seem to be determined enough to reach your goal.

Dave S.G. Seattle	I could tell that you are determined...so you will be successful. One way to do it is to see yourself already there. This will help cement your goal to your Psyche. Sometimes if you don't do what you plan on doing like going to the gym...don't get down on yourself. You did not get this way overnight and you will not lose it overnight too. But you will be moving in the right direction. Things I'd do: Start a diary of what you are eating. Drink lots of water Walk...first run later. Don't want to stress out the heart. Take it slow...I know you will get there. I am on the same journey. I am just like you. 5'8 in September I was 222 pounds. I am now 196, I started biking and watching what I eat. I hope to get down to 180. My goals are 5 pounds at a time. I did it...and you can too! Dave

soccersobczyk	if you follow this through, then i believe you can do it.

NullPointerException	It can be done. I suggest a group oriented approach though; jog with a friend, and maybe take up a sport like soccer or basketball so that you don't get bored with the monotony that is jogging. As well, many people find it beneficial to create a plan of when they will work out and what they will do. This may help you build a routine and stick with it instead of becoming burnt out.

pinkcinnamon3	TRUST ME THIS IS POSSIBLE! I lost 56lbs in 9 months by doing the following: -Ate at least 6-8 servings of veggies a day. -Drank at least 2 liters of water daily. -Drank at least 2-3 cups of Green Tea daily. -Exercised on a regular basis (Its all about consistency! Not necessarily intensity) -NEVER ATE SUGAR -NEVER ATE WHITE FLOUR OR WHITE RICE. -Never ate artificial sweeteners or chemicals like MSG (they have been known to make you hungrier) -Ate less than normal -Go to bed every night before 10:30 to lower cortisol levels. -Enjoy life with love and smiles. -Thought positively and loved myself. Dont worry! Losing 1-2 lbs a week is safe weight loss. Soon one day you wont even realize it and you will have to buy a new wardrobe! Plus, you will be fit for the Air Force! The reason you are probably having a hard time running is that your body is not used to it. Please, maybe speed walk for a few weeks to get your body conditioned for intense exercise. Lift weights! That is also one of the BEST things to do exercise wise to lose weight.

BINX	A trainer at the gym would be good. Also, see a dietitian and have them help you get on a healthy diet to coinside with your exercises. Stick with it. "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda from: Empire

call me anon	Absolutely it can be done. Go to the Air Force Recruiting Office and tell them your plan. They will be MORE than glad to suggest ways to reach your goal. My son is in the Army. Congratulations on your ambition. You will be doing a great service to your country. I'm proud of you!!

chuck_jax	Exercise is great but food intake is more important, especially for females. You can burn maybe 500 calories from a long, hard run, but you can eat it all back in a supersize McDonald's french fry. Also, build as much muscle mass as possible - just having muscle will jack up your metabolic rate. Lastly, eat a lot of small meals throughout the day - don't eat just 1 or 2 big meals in the day. Oh, yeah...LOTS of water.

faded_shado	Walk instead of jogging you are putting yourself into anaerobic metabolism because you are bringing your heart rate too high and you will not burn any fat that way.

wraith_calling	If you got a gym member ship talk to a personal trainer and see what they suggest as to what you can do.

monkeymanelvis	Why do you want to join the military? It seems an odd choice at the moment given how likely it is there are going to be several major wars in the next decade. If you just want to shoot people then you cfan earn a lot of money as a mercenary in some parts of Africa. I would say it is possible to lose the weight - I have lost close to 60 lbs in the last 2 years by eating less junk. Just remember that losing weight quickly puts an immense strain on the heart and can seriously and permanantly damage your health. Lose weight slowly, steadily, sensibly and healthily and you will be a lot fitter than if you try to shed weight as fast as possible at the expense of your health.

justathought	You can do anything you want. Maybe you should make sure your not overdoing it. See your doctor or trainer so he/she can help you with a plan. Keep up the good work. Go Airforce!

iamacricket	I would try for a 180--and I am sure you can do it. One of my friends lost 73 lbs. Just keep the goal in mind and stay healthy.

dream109893	keep going

Di	I think it's very possible! You can do anything you put your mind to! Don't let yourself give up. You have a goal keep going until you meet that goal. Good luck!!

wellbeing	Congrautlations!!! Keep up the good work :) Does the gym have a personal trainer? They have them at the Y, you could schedule time with one of them to find out the best work out options for you, it's not that expensive for just a couple hours and even if your not a Y member, you can still schedule time with a trainer. Also, go to your doctor and tell him you want to lose weight and improve your health. You doctor can help you come up with a good plan and then you'll just have to work it. You WILL succeed if you are determined! Good Luck!

Chat	Make sure you have enough water on hand when you work out. Consult with a doctor first before starting any fitness regimen to make sure that you are doing exercises that are appropriate for your health conditions. Consult also with the fitness trainer to assist you with the correct settings for your machine. Your dream is achievable, you can do it!!

HUH!!!!!!!	Number one you must weight. Next think about the Airforce. Insist on a job that you can use in civilian life. If you get to the Gulf, keep your head down. Good luck.

ryle	you shouldnt be running if it is such a horrible experience. do something that is going to be enjoyable for you. walk until you are in better shape. I won a contest at work for the most lost weight and my exercise was walking on the treadmill. be positive, anything is possible and this is probable.

goldie	wow, sounds like you can do it! get a personal trainer so they can find an excercise plan thats right for you

andyburk_2002	Those pains in your sides are called "side stitches". It's said that it is fairly common when you eat shortly before you run. But, after research, it's caused by "stretching the ligaments that extend from the Diaphragm to the internal organs, particularly the liver. The jarring motion of running while breathing in and out stretches these ligaments". The site has what to do if you get one while running. As far as the difficulty breathing, I would speak with your doctor about a possible breathing treatment. They can tell you if you would be a good candidate for an ashtma pill or inhaler, i.e. Albuterol.

NoFearIamHere	Sounds to me like you aren't going to let anything stop you. Go for it! You can do it! Good for you! Yeah! I would do a cheer for you but I need to jog myself.

DramaGuy	if you keep it up it will get much easier

Coconuts	I did the exact same thing you are trying to do i was 220 and needed to be 150 to join the army. It was very hard to do. I ran 4 miles in the morning in the afternoon i would ride my bike at least 11 miles and then at night i would run another 4 miles. I was able to drop about 40 in 3 months by doing that and cutting out fast food. after that it got hard and i really had to limit my calories by the month before i finally made it i had to cut down to 500 calories but i drooped 12 pounds. Also try treading watter that really helps. Good luck

Erin	You ABSOLUTELY can do it. I agree with a previous answer that said talk to a trainer at the gym you go to, because there are right and wrong ways to do the exercises you do. I was told, for example, that if you can't talk when you run because you're breathing too hard, you're doing your body more harm than good, but if you can breathe well enough to sing, you aren't working hard enough. But I'm no expert, so talking to a health professional will speed up your progress a lot. Also, don't be afraid to join the military before you've completely reached your goal, because they shape you up more too. You should also talk to an air force recruiter and ask them for suggestions also as far as goals go. Keep your determination, you'll feel so much healthier and energetic when you get there!

praise_SEITAN	concentrate on jogging and swimming first, to cut pounds without building too much muscle on top of fat. back in the day, when my friend started playing football, he didn't lose weight before he started his heavy workouts, and while he's not fat anymore, he's extremely thick. drink lots of water, cut out red meats, take plenty of vitamins. for your breathing problems and side pains while jogging, you might try yoga...it helped me out alot... after you see yourself losing a significant amount of weight, begin working out with weights... be careful not to lose too much weight too fast, i believe the recommended amount is 2 lbs per week. and be careful to keep your weight at a decent level for your body frame. if you have large bones and get too skinny, you may end up looking like a bobble head. i think at e-diets.com you can get a recommended diet for your lifestyle. it may be worth trying...good luck.