New to Forum - Spilling my Guts

downndirtytn

Well, where to begin? I'm a 33 year old guy in East TN that's "getting back on the bicycle" to try weight loss again. Each time I've tried in the past several years I have failed for one reason or another. But I have a 4 year old little girl and twin 11 month old little girls that need a daddy to be there for them. To be more active and able to do things with them as they grow up and to show them the proper way to eat so they don't have to fight the same fight that I've been having with myself since I was 10 years old.

I was a skinny kid up until I was about 6 years old. I started taking a bunch of steroids due to health problems with my lungs. My weight shot up a lot at that time. Then I gradually gained weight and was a chunky kid. In high school I was about a 40" waist and weighed about 275. I had to work full time from the time I was a sophomore in high school to help with bills due to an accident my dad had that left him disabled. So, working 40 hours a week and going to high school full time I never ate right - I was always grabbing fast food wherever I could and had many choices around where I was working.

After high school I got more into working out. Then about when I was 22 I decided to really work out hard and get my weight down and be healthier. I got a gym membership and started working out on an elliptical religiously and lifting weights. I didn't miss many days and stuck to it fairly well. However, I really didn't change my eating habits. I would still go grab fast food and pound away as much as I wanted. The main thing I changed is that I started only drinking water instead of soft drinks so I did cut those out. I went from hovering around 285 pounds down to 215 pounds in about a year. I was full time in college but I also worked also. And since, at that time, I was going to college to be a teacher and a coach, I also got to do work at a local high school helping with the Wellness/PE classes. So, I basically went to the gym from 6:30 to 8:00 - school from 8:30 to 12:00 - Wellness/PE from 12:00-3:00 - then most nights working from 6-10 or later. Being able to lift weights most days and then going to do the PE thing where I also played in the games with the kids for 3 hours gave me a great strength and cardio workout most every day. I was shredded and actually gained weight to about 235 pounds but it was all muscle - I was down to a 34 waist and 6% body fat.

Then two things happened that derailed me. I met my (now ex) wife and quit working out so much and school ended for me in 04 so I didn't have the benefit of going to get that cardio most days. I couldn't find a job teaching so I went into banking where I still am to this day with a desk job which isn't beneficial to lose weight.

Fast forward to March 2012. I stepped on the scales and my weight had went up and up and finally to 398. I swore it would never hit 400 and this was total insanity. So, I made a hard effort to get back to where I was before - or die trying. I bought a gym quality elliptical machine and some good weights to use at home and also bought DDP Yoga on a recommendation. From March 6, 2012 to early May 2012 I went from 398 to 342 and was feeling great. I was working out most every day, eating right, and getting stronger and more agile again. Then a hernia that I had been dealing with for about 4 years finally became strangulated which causes intense pain and can be life threatening. I saw a doctor on a Friday and by the next week I was having surgery to repair it with it being so serious. So I was laid up a few weeks from surgery and then I came back and started working out in June once again. In August I had the pains come back to my stomach and knew what it meant. I found a better doctor who eventually operated me on the week before Christmas 2012 and repaired 2 hernias and her repair was done laproscopically and I had 16 incisions around my stomach to repair. I was told by her I'd be putting myself in jeopardy if I ever try to lift anything more than 50 pounds again. This is being said to a guy who maxed on on a bench press back in the day at 380 pounds. I always used weights to supplement my exercising.

In February of 2013 my wife had beautiful twin girls and my life became even more hectic. A 3 year old and twin babies can make things insane. But at the end of the day I have made more excuses than I need to and realize that I have to be a better example for my kids and I need to get in better shape to improve my quality of life. Ever been to a theme park where you were "too fat to ride?" I have and it's embarrassing. I also am careful around plastic chairs and when I go to a restaurant I usually panic because I know some booths are almost painful to sit in. This has to stop and it will stop. I may never be able to workout like I used to due to my hernia repairs but I am going to try to ease back into it and take small steps to get back in better shape.

I am using the food log to keep up with everything I eat right now. My eating habits are changing from a couple of large meals a day and unhealthy snacks to 5 "snacks" per day that are lower calories and one decent meal that's not greasy fast food. I've cut out all sodas once again (even diet sodas). I officially started this new journey on Monday January 6th. My official weigh in on Sunday was 397. I'm aggressively trying to lose weight without starving myself and trying to stay on track. I hope to use the forums and follow others and get ideas and see that I'm not the only one that struggles with my weight issue. I know in my heart that this time will be different and my mind is in the right place for this to happen. I'm doing it for me but I'm also doing it for my kids and that's the best motivation I could ever have - period. And this time my wife is also going to do the change of lifestyle with me and that will help to have the additional support. Instead of trying to look at it like I want to go from 397 to 225 I'm trying to break this up into smaller goals to reach that big goal of mine.

My first "goal" is to be at 375 pounds by the end of this month. Sunday morning I was at 397 and today I'm at 391 so I know I'm on my way. My problem never was losing weight quickly - it always was getting sidetracked or derailed by things that shouldn't have kept me from at least eating healthy.

If anyone read this whole thing bless you - I know that I tend to ramble.

Lesa_Sass

Hello and welcome. You can do this and we can help. All it takes is a change in the diet and mindset.

There will be a lot of people here to encourage you.

I look forward to seeing you change your life over the coming months.
:flowerforyou:

brandi712

Welcome to MFP and thank you for sharing your story. I know that to spill life's hard details can be difficult. You know what you need to to do reach your goals so now you just need to focus. There are so many people here for support, it's amazing. Stay strong and you go this!!!!

aehenson

You have great reasons to do this & the idea of mini-goals is a good one. Good luck & stick with it!

gmhaggie06

Welcome my friend! you've come to the right place, we sound like the same type of guy. I threw shotput in College and while I wasn't 6% body-fat, was in perfect shape at about 250 pounds. Flash forward a few years and I'm 29 years old, 6'5" and 412 pounds. I've been on MFP for almost 50 days and have lost about 25 pounds; I couldn't be happier either. I have a ways to go so I'm going to add you as a friend and let's get there together

nikibean123

Good on you! You sound like you've struggled in the past but you've come to the right place for support!

Please feel free to add me, I'd love to see how you get on and will be spurring you on from England for your end of the month goal!

candacet36

Congrats on taking this step to get you where you want to be. I know that you can do it!:bigsmile:

Feel free to add me for support! Just take baby steps...you know what you need to do and don't get discouraged this is a process that takes time!

sweetpea03b

Well welcome to the family... no matter how many times you "start" and "stop"... the most important thing is to come back. Diet is 75% of weightloss. Sure... its a little setback that you can't do much with weights... but you can still do weight training using your own weight which will help a lot. Take a walk with your wife and kids (when its warmer of course). MOVE MORE... no matter how you do it. One piece of advice... don't start something today that you can't keep up with forever. In order for this to work, you have to make it a permanent lifestyle. Don't restrict certain foods that you like... you can have them... in moderation... once in a while. If there's no "wagon" you can't fall off of it, right?

Good luck to you and feel free to add me. I've been "on" and "off" here for years.... hoping to stay "on" this time

teerae326

I understand how life gets in the way of being healthy... I was always active with sports and things, until I had my daughter at 17. Never been the same since, as a parent you always come last. Best of luck to you, add me if you like!

kiekie33

Thanks for sharing, it takes a lot of courage to put everything out there. Your mind seems to be in the right place so I have no doubt you'll stick to it. Everyone on here is really supportive and they'll encourage you along the way Good luck and i'm sending you a request

nataliea683

hi!

welcome to mfp! thanks for telling your story, i find it really interesting reading everyones reasons for starting this journey. i totally agree with the guys, there is A LOT of support on here! feel free to add me i too (re)started on monday and have set myself a goal to lose 20lbs before deciding how much i then want to lose for my second goal!

Good Luck with your journey!:happy:

janeriley09

"How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time."

Weight loss is hard but one thing that I think is really great about this website is how we can share our food diaries with each other so that we can get ideas of how to balance our food intake. Don't forget to drink your water. I'm horrible at this myself but it's crucial to more than just appetite control.

As far as 50 lbs lifting goes, fine, you're capped at 50 but are you capped at how many times you lift that 50? Muscle fatigue happens at some point regardless of how much weight you're lifting, right? If you do it fast and frequently, you're still getting resistance training. Yay!

Good luck and keep sharing. Another motivational tool is to take full body pictures in the same location and the same clothes. A lady posted three pics yesterday from each of the three months she's been dieting again and the change was visibly noticeable, totally worth it.

Tiernan1212

Congratulations for making a new start!

Here are some great threads to read, especially since you're going to need to alter your exercise regimine:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/817188-iifym

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819925-the-basics-don-t-complicate-it

Also, Sarauk2sf and SideSteel run an awesome group called Eat, Train, Progress filled with tons of good info and really supportive, honest people.

I wish you the best!

downndirtytn

Thanks everyone for their replies. Does anyone have a decent guide to Basic Metabolic Rate for someone obese? When I plug the numbers into most calculators I think it's skewed. I mean it says I can basically eat 4,000 calories per day and not gain weight which I think has to be wrong. But maybe I'm wrong and really was eating that massive amount of calories per day at times when I factor in fast food and sodas.

KANGOOJUMPS

you sound very strong and motivated,
YOU CAN DO THIS!

DeltaZero

Once you actually weigh your food (buy a food scale) it quickly becomes clear how much you are eating, until then it's always just an estimate.



But just don't stop. Take progress photos, measure, start building up longer walks for endurance. Etc.

MrsG31

Welcome and good luck on your journey! You sound like you know what you need to do and have the motivation to keep going, I see great things in your future!

downndirtytn

My "now" photo followed by my motivational photos of me when I was in good shape. I'm using those to try and drive me to success. I can look at them and see that I was there once - I can get there again. It may not be as "easy" this time but I will appreciate it much, much more.

rides4sanity

Good luck! I know you are a pretty big guy, but that is still a huge one month goal... The initial bit is often quick and large because of excess water that is released when you start eating and drinking well. I'm not saying you can't hit 375, but if you hit 385 you've still made great progress.

My husband has a long history of hernia issues, but is now able to lift unrestricted. You may have had a different tyoe of repair, but nothing wrong with following up with your doc after you've dropped some weight and have been consistently lifting for a few months to see if a gradual increase past 50lbs is possible...

I will never be able to do chest flies with more than 20lb weights... sucks, but it's better than having to use 10's

Brandon74

Welcome. I just started doing DDP Yoga this month.

DWBalboa

You can do it cuz… Just keep a positive attitude and remember why you’re doing it, so you can be there for those little girls when they’re going need their daddy. Keep their pictures with you so when you start to doubt yourself or you start to slip you can motivate yourself (that’s what I do anyway).
Best fishes and good luck!
DW

daniellabella986

Congrats on starting over! The hardest part is starting but what matters is that you chose to start again - don't give up. It will have its ups and downs and that's NORMAL - it's life!!!! Good luck, I know you can do it.

nancybuss

Welcome!
I Loved your rambling story. Thanks for sharing! Print that and save it. you will want that when you reach your final number and then Keep it There for Life!

You have a great plan. We are here to help!

Fitnin6280

Welcome to MFP! I am a banker too, so I know the struggle of a desk job... It is soooo not easy to get out and move during the day, especially when you are busy.

Good luck to you! I wish you success!!

thesupremeforce

Good luck. The key is finding something that not only works, but that you can stick to in the long term. Focus on teaching yourself better habits. That way it won't feel like work, and you're less likely to fall off the wagon.

RachyLovesRattys

Welcome back!! I read the whole thing (I'm a writer as a "hobby" more or less and I'm VERY prone to doing the same :P)

I can relate to your story soo much! I'm currently going for my Bachelor's degree in teaching Physical Education to kids I gained all my weight during getting my Associate's degree though because of fast food and time constraints as you said.

I look forward to hearing more from you in these coming months! We're all here for you whenever you need support! Life, including weight loss, is always a journey and it takes time. It seems to me like you are well on your way to being healthier inside and out!

Kudos to you! You took the plunge--that's the hardest step

jpads1234

Hey Bro

Good luck to ya

disneygallagirl

Welcome! you are definately in the right place. You have a great attitude and motivation so I anticipate much success for you! There are some really knowledgeable members here and groups you can join. Good Luck! You can do it.