diet for lock

Question
Hi
You alright?
i am 14 almost 15 6'4 and im between 224 and 238lbs, i've been playing lock for my local rugby club in england for 6 years, and i would like to lose about 42lbs or turn it to hard muscle and i go to the gym about 4 times a week

can you help
thanks
shane

Answer
Right thanks mate. You sound like a big fellow for a 15 year old. I am personally against "dieting".

As you are still growing / developing until about the age of 21 you need to make sure your body gets a healthy well balanced calorie intake.

Stay off sodas all together (diet is ok but as a treat)and other high calorie drinks. Start looking at the label on things. Stay away from foods with excessive sugar, high fructose corn syrup, "fortified" or other highly processed food.

Go to the library or shop for a good book that explaines food and diet in a balanced healthy way. If you can, talk to your local GP or family doctor. A decent doctor can give you an education on what you need to know.

Keep a food journal for 30 days to see what you are really eating now. You would be surprised at the results. Often people find they eat too little and this contributes to lethargy, poor immune system and actuall weight gain due to the body going into "starvation mode" and holding on to calories.

If you can get a work out from a good gym that includes a food / eating plan do so as well.

Look for healthy alternatives: brown rice insted of white, whole grain bread insted of white, wheat based pasta, lots of water, pleanty of sleep, good suppliments: vitamins etc.

Hard muscle is not your focus. Strength and endurance is. There are plenty of guys who are super fit and strong who still look a little "pudgy". That is ok just as long as you are fit, strong and flexable.