Size and weight

Question
well theres 3 weeks of pre-season left
just weighed myself there tonight, 16st 5lbs, and im 6 foot 2. I play 2nd row for my school team. I'm wondering, is this a good weight? im not all fat, but i need to lose a bit, im pretty strong, and probably one of the biggest, if not the tallest and biggest guy on the team this year. Can you give me some advice on doing things like eating right or telling me if i need to lose, and gain the ultimate frame. I know rugby isnt all about the "beach body", but about being tough. Any advice you have would be great!

Answer
Hi Chris it is hard to say as I do not know your age and with respect everyone tends to think they are fitter and stronger than they really  are. I would like to see a few trainings and games then do a measured fitness test to see where you are really at.

There is a basic rule that to maintain a weight (in USA pounds) you have to be eating a certain amount of calories.

Basically the formula is for a man: 12 calories per pound of body weight.

so a 190 pound man needs to consume 2,280 net calories a day to maintain that weight. Net calories is the total calories you eat lest the effect of calories burned during planned exersise.

Technically you can do this whether you eat junk food all day or if you eat healthy, it is just harder to do if you eat junk and will eventually cause more trouble like sugar levels and excess fat, to name a few. So eat healthy.

Keep healthy. Read the label of what you eat. Cut out soda / colas. Even limit diet sodas. Cut out processed food. anything that says, enriched wheat, high fructose corn syrup, over 5g of sugar per serving is something to stay away from. If you can pronounce the ingredients stay away from it. Try to eat simple food, fruit, veggies, fish, chicken, steak, whole wheat, whole grain food. Exercise daily. Don't go nuts either a 45 minute walk is enough to maintain calorie burn. Drink a lot of water through out the day.

Join a gym and get a trainer who has at least 5 years experience and is formally qualified. Also one who has nutrition qualifications.

Set goals, test your fitness and see how it improves. Test ever 4-6 weeks.

There is a lot to work on so a proper trainer is the way to go. Also educate yourself with books and magazines. Start at the library if you can't spend the money.