Getting your Butt in Shape: Burning Fat, Building Muscle

Step 2 You can't talk weight off your body.

The title is correct - talking about losing weight is one thing. Doing it, another.

I'm a freshman in high school. Ever heard of the freshman 15? That's the 15 pounds many college freshman put on due to stress and lack of free time when they first go to college. Turns out the same thing happened to me in high school.

Just kidding, I've put this weight on progressively over 4 years. I've never been skinny, though.

Why? Supposed lack of exercise time, easy access to junk food, overeating, lack of athleticism, genes, you name it. All of that is easy to change though, albeit the genes.

So, what with school and all, how can I lose weight? Isn't homework and babysitting going to consume all of my free time leaving me with no time to work out? Isn't that , greasy school food going to keep me fat?

Yeah, that was my two biggest fears about trying to lose weight. I searched workout plan after workout plan, but all of them required a couple hours and a total gym. Others, namely "desk-job workouts", didn't take hardly any time or equipment at all, but they offered results over years and seemed to be for already in shape people. That didn't include me, so I found my own methods.

My schedule works for me, you'll have to adapt to what works for you.

Due to my nurse sister having to work odd days and 12 hour shifts, I have to watch my nephews certain days certain weeks. One week, we'll call it "A" week, looks like this:

Sunday
Monday - Watch Kids
Tuesday - Watch Kids
Wednesday - Watch Kids
Thursday
Friday
Saturday

"B" week looks like this:

Sunday
Monday
Tuesday - Watch Kids
Wednesday
Thursday - Watch Kids
Friday - Watch Kids
Saturday

As you can see, Tuesdays are always occupied, so I won't have time then. Monday is Math Team meetings, so I'll be pressed for time even when I don't have my nephews. Tuesday and Wednesday is Science Team, so that day is partially shot too.

I know what you're saying - what do you mean that day is "shot"? Can't you just workout after everything gets done? Yeah, I could if I want to use the treadmill. Don't get me started on how much I hate that treadmill. I'll take exercise outside any day over that!

So, what with the short days fast approaching, I have to make sure I have time to do what I plan. I'm still going to wing it and hope everything works out.