16 year old in need of lifestyle changes -Important!-?

[hyun-su]

**********Before you read this, I understand it may be a lot, but please if you think you can help, continue to read on. I'm desperate for help. Thank you so much.********888

Basically I have a lot of problems and I think it all sprouted from my lack of sleep. Starting from about the summer I was going into 8th grade I developed really bad sleeping habits. Sleep all day, up all night. Then it progressed during 8th grade year and I began not sleeping all night then coming home from school being miserable. I didn't eat breakfast either and at lunch I'd have nachos, soft pretzels and cheese, pizza, fries, etc...I'd come home from school, eat, and sleep. Then I'd wake up later, eat again and stay up all night.

My parents tried everything they could to stop me but I couldn't help this vicious cycle. I started to become paranoid of everything and then later on developed anxiety and started having panic attacks. I can't even watch action movies anymore without feeling panicked. I've been trying to get out of these sick habits for a long time and it sometimes works, but never lasts. I have sine gained a lot of weight. I'm 138 and 5'1/2. In 6 and seventh grade I was possibly the skinniest girl in class.

It's really hard juggling high school and having all these issues. My parents are seeking counseling for my anxiety issues and panic attacks/paranoia. It's up to me now to lose weight. I've tried so many things but now I understand I need to take it slow and make changes in my everyday life. I am not active whatsoever. I'm very uncoordinated. I do have a gym membership, but not my license which makes it hard sine everyone is undependable. The problem I face most is packing a lunch and having time for breakfast. I get up for school at 630 and am out the door at 645. I literally barely have a second to even grab something to eat. My lunch consists of wheat, honey and peanut butter uncrustable and a granola bar. For breakfast, if I remember to grab something, it's usually whatever I see first. Sometimes it's mini chocolate-chip muffins, rice krispies, or granola bars. I also take a 17 oz water bottle with me everyday. I don't feel healthy with my choices.

I also don't know what to eat when I get back from school. It's especially annoying since I'm usually on the verge of starvation by the time I get home. I also have 0 motivation to do anything. I am the epitome of lazy. I do my homework in school and all I do is watch tv. I have a treadmill, but like I said I have 0 motivation. I have tried everything. I don't know what to do anymore, but I know I need change in my life and soon. I'm sick of being overweight and paranoid every second.

If you've read through this, thank you so much. I will fully appreciate any advice.

[benon]

Not trying to diagnose you, but you might have depression. If you don't find the motivation to change your habits, then your problem is never going to be fixed.

[charlot22]

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[mate]

Im sorry that you have to deal with so many issues but at least you are getting help and on the right track.

For the next few days force your self to get up at least 20-30 minutes earlier than you normally do and have some breakfast, the bigger the breakfast, the more energy you have throughout the day.

Next keep eating a healthy lunch at school. Take some healthy snacks to eat at recess or between classes. After school just eat something healthy again.

Have a healthy dinner and do not go straight for the tv. Instead get some homework done, talk to a friend read a book, anything that you can do standing up and moving around for about 10 minutes. You will feel sleepier more early than usual, and this will continue until you get used to waking up early, and sleeping early.

Make sure you take no naps, unless you really really have to. Instead of sitting for hours in a row, get up every 30 minutes and walk around the house for 5 minutes.

I know its hard to motivate your self to lose weight and do exercise. But you said you "want to lose weight" that means you have to understand it will not come off all at once. Second, you do not have to start doing a whole bunch of exercise tonight. Instead today start off by doing 15 minutes of exercise. Do some jumping jacks, sit-ups, push-ups, and walk for a few minutes even if its around your room. Do this every day until you feel you can add more to your routine. Slowly, but surely you will achieve your goal.

After a few weeks you will get used to your new schedule and be able to handle it much easier. Trust me, I had sleeping and weight problems too, and this is exactly how I changed my habits. It took me about two weeks to get used to it, then it became routine for me.

Also, if your like me and cannot let go of the tv, just watch tv as usual but jog in front of it. Then do some more exercise before you relax.