first weigh – in; shock & horror

snudgie

I weighed about 410 then. Some days the scale would say 408, others it would flash the message - "OL-D" at me, which I took for it's panicked cries of "Over the Limit, D***head!" I gave up on weighing for a year and decided it was counterproductive to keep on it. I learned, in the intervening year that everyone is different, and in my case I need to stay on it all the time, and keep an eye on my weight often. Denial will just have me eating with impunity, believing I can't get any heavier.

Also, I was switched from one medication to another for diabetes. From metformin (GI problems were too much to deal with) but I did lose about 20 pounds initially. The GLipizide that I am on now is effective. Even though I don't jab (I SHOULD!!) - the doctor has been keeping an eye on my numbers and they are ever falling. AiC was 11 when I was diagnosed, and it's closer to six now. Almost there! But it did jumpstart an additional bit of weight gain.

I've not made exercise a part of my life, and I hope that doing that will eventually eliminate the need for meds! I am striving for an A1C of 5.6 if that is possible.

snudgie

Thank you!

I decided I wanted to live. For some people it takes a heart attack or a stroke. In my case I have had diabetes for two years, and I felt 'OK' so it STILL didn't alarm me too much.

One day recently, reminiscing about my folks, both deceased at a young age, I decided I didn't want to be unhealthy like them. And they just were unhealthy: no heart disease, no obesity, no diabetes. But my dad never took care of himself and stroked out at 59, and my mum lost her kidneys to ITP, and spent years on dialysis.

What I have going for me is I am still relatively healthy despite the diabetes, I don't smoke cigarettes (which my parents both did to alarming extents), and I have support: at home from a superb wife, and online from you guys! I intend to take advantage of that, and I hope some day I can help people by being an example myself. It's very inspiring to read all the stories on here!

Cheers,

P

snudgie

I need to learn to reply to posts better! The last one I posted starting with 'thank you' was the reply to your post!

Sorry bout the confusion - learning my way around!

You, sir, are so amazing for taking this first step, for recognizing what you need to change, and for embracing the challenge and not running away! Too many people look at the scale and shrug, decide that it's too much work to get rid of the extra weight and that it's not worth it.

bhdon

Yes, we celebrated with lots of food and drink, and it would make the food log on MFP explode if I put it all in. I am talking wine, cheese, bread, taramosalata (so bad, and yet so good!), a pastry, and more wine. Absolute shameful!

Oh boy, can I relate to this one. haha I still have days like that, because we love to celebrate everything with friends & family and food is often part of the celebration. Like you, I love to cook, and equally as much, enjoy delicious food. Over the long haul, though, I'm trying to focus on 'improvement' rather than 'perfection'. I've tried to limit my celebrating to a few times a month and I've still lost weight. . I started out at 257 a year ago, and in the last year I'm down 17 pounds. Some folks would say "only 17 pounds in a year" but I'm trying to do what I can live with long term. It took 30 years for me to put that extra 120 lbs on, ( which is only about 38 extra unburned calories a day, overall average). Anyway, if I do the math right, 17 lbs lost in the last year is an overall average loss of about 1/3 a pound a week, which really isn't too bad. It doesn't seem like much, until you take a 15 pound weight and a two pound weight, lift them up and try to cart them around all day. I still have a long way to go, but it's coming off faster than it went on, and, maybe by this time next year I'll be down another 17 pounds.

Schlackity

Snudgie - You had me at "well this was day one." I literally just read every single reply to your OP (original post, in case you're not up on the MFP lingo).

Everyone has been telling you that you can do this.....believe in yourself and us.

I will be following your posts to make sure you stick with this! We have all had some pretty horrendous food days....log every morsel no matter how ugly the Food Diary page looks. It's important to take responsibility for your actions.

Do you live in the US or the UK?

shapefitter

Lol, that'll be the day when we have weighing scales that swears back at us!!! I'd say you've been mantaining in the past year. A 10-15lb increase ain't bad, as that can easily be lost in a day or two. Remember, you're a man lol you can eat like a horse, and can burn kcal like a house on fire. Being a househusband don't quite cut the mustard though, unless you take up a sport, or volunteer as a fireman. I am a female, and lead a very active lifestyle to the point that my feet hurt like hell every day. My MFP friends are sick with envy to see exercise logs, stating over 2200 kcal burned every day. Ok, you can choose to keep your diary private, untill you've learned to manage yourself better. Also, get the myfitnesspal app on your phone, so you don't miss a food/movement log. And stop making excuses, it isn't getting you to where you want to be. Good luck!

Michigander1956

Great Advice !!!

carliekitty

I will be wishing you much luck on your weight loss goals =D you can do it! If you slip off just get right back on the very next day. You will be amazed at how quickly the weight will come off

Michigander1956

You have a lot of support here with this program , and your 1st step was getting on the scale and realizing that you need to make a lifestyle change . No one can help you if you do not take the initiative to help yourself . Good luck on your journey, and use this site to your advantage. There is a lot of people offering some good advice!!!

bhdon

The story of Scott Cutshall may be an inspiration to you, I recommend checking him out http://www.bicycling.com/training-nutrition/nutrition-weight-loss/i-lost-320-pounds-riding-bike

Thank you for sharing this wonderful, inspirational, amazing story. Made me cry.

janetay01

Lots of good stuff already said here - not much more advice to add I don't think. So I'll just say welcome and well done for taking that first step - and the following steps by coming back again. As one poster alluded too, so many people don't come back. You can do this - you just have to want it enough. It sounds like you have a great support network with your wife - do it for both of you and don't be discouraged - it won't always be easy but it will be so very worth it. Sent you a friend request

terrainstar

Congratulations on taking a big step forward!

I know exactly how you are feeling. How the heck did this happen to me? It's slow you don't see it coming until you hurt somewhere, then your body adjusts and you get sucked down slowly again into the same pit.

I have lost 134 pounds previously, I know what I need to do to lose weight and be successful and I will do it again. Its wonderful to have the support of the people here and my friends and family.

You have to ask your wife to stop enabling you.

You have to make an effort to move just a little bit more than you do now.

I have been suffering with extreme pain in my knees so I know how hard it is just to stand up never mind walk a few feet. But now i have lost almost 40 pounds and its getting easier every day.

You can do this, you can save your own life and we will help!

sometimesirunwithscissors

I know I've been in similar shoes, and I'm so glad I decided getting healthier was worth my time and effort. Give yourself a break; you've come to a great place to get started. I had never topped 220 lbs at 5'5" and last fall I weighed in at 258. Until the last 10 years I'd never been over a woman's size 10-12. To be 258?! How the hell did that happen?
I was in a lot of denial, depressed, sick, not in tune with my body. I have hypothyroidism, deg disk disease, RA, possible lupus, osteomyelitis... I get that it hurts to move. If you can do a tiny bit it's better than nothing. If you have to sit in a chair and do arm exercises you'll be increasing your blood flow and not stressing your joints. When I lived in FL I did a lot of pool exercise; even if I was crippled with pain I could do the pool.
I'm down around 14-15 lbs now since the beginning of Jan. It's not a diet but a lifestyle change. I need to account for everything I eat, so the food diary here helps a lot. I walk at least 2 miles every week. Once you're able find something you love and stick with it. I love to walk. I also love chocolate, so the calories I burn allows me to have it. I'm stubborn as hell and if told I can't have this or that I will want it more. I eat everything I want to, but in smaller portions. If I want a treat I have to "pay" for it by creating a calorie allowance with exercise. I do like eating healthy so that was a plus. Being male and having a fair amount to lose you will see results quickly. If you can't do it for you at first do it for your wife. Know you have support here whenever you need it.

snudgie

Hi - sorry I am getting a little slow with the replies! Lots of posts on this website. I am in the US physically, but I am Dutch and British (born in UK, raised in NL)!

snudgie

Congratulations on taking a big step forward!

I know exactly how you are feeling. How the heck did this happen to me? It's slow you don't see it coming until you hurt somewhere, then your body adjusts and you get sucked down slowly again into the same pit.

You have to ask your wife to stop enabling you.

You have to make an effort to move just a little bit more than you do now.

I have been suffering with extreme pain in my knees so I know how hard it is just to stand up never mind walk a few feet. But now i have lost almost 40 pounds and its getting easier every day.

Thank you! My wife is getting a lot better about cracking the whip!. I am sure it won't all change from one day to the next, but rather it will be a gradual development. I want these changes to become permanent. For me as well as for her.

And good on you for shedding weight while in extreme pain!!. That shows a lot of determination. I've known pain, chronic at levels of a 7, but also experienced nines when all I could do was take masses of painkillers and wait it out. I hope those days don't return!
Take care!
P

snudgie

I'm down around 14-15 lbs now since the beginning of Jan. It's not a diet but a lifestyle change. I need to account for everything I eat, so the food diary here helps a lot. I walk at least 2 miles every week. Once you're able find something you love and stick with it. I love to walk. I also love chocolate, so the calories I burn allows me to have it. I'm stubborn as hell and if told I can't have this or that I will want it more. I eat everything I want to, but in smaller portions. If I want a treat I have to "pay" for it by creating a calorie allowance with exercise. I do like eating healthy so that was a plus. Being male and having a fair amount to lose you will see results quickly. If you can't do it for you at first do it for your wife. Know you have support here whenever you need it.

Thanks for the words of support!! I am taking baby steps. Done a few days in a row of walking, lifting, and general stuff around the apartment. Although I hurt my back a bit, I will still make it worthwhile by keeping my calories down today and doing some exercises with the handweights, while sitting down, along the lines of what you suggested.

Luckily I am getting some Lidocaine jabs in my back in two days from my doc - that should loosen things up considerably!!

Take care,
P

eimaj5575

For me, my first shock and horror moment was the first day i logged my food and saw I was out of calories by 11am! I was so shocked but it was a good shock. MFP has completely changed my life. Good luck in your journey!!!!!

AbsolutelyAnnie

I just sent you a friend request.

Last week I got on the scale in months only to see 253.4 pounds. ACK! My highest ever, even when pregnant.

You can do this. We all can. You've gotten a kajillion responses and I am sure I don't have any wisdom to offer, just encouragement.

Blessings!

Jsphine

Hoping there's an update! Let us know how things are going with you, Snudgie!

NCchar130

For me, my first shock and horror moment was the first day i logged my food and saw I was out of calories by 11am! I was so shocked but it was a good shock. MFP has completely changed my life. Good luck in your journey!!!!!

Funny, the same thing happened to me on my first day! The other huge wakeup call that day was recognizing I was drinking close to 1000 calories a day between sweetened coffee and sodas. So my first 2-3 weeks involved cutting that way way down, which caused caffeine withdrawal, and was very uncomfortable. Good news is, it was temporary, over before I knew it, and I've never gone back to it! Lost 53 pounds by May 2013. I've since gained a few back and have returned with a new focus.

To the OP: You can do this! There is so much helpful advice here and people who will encourage you as well as give you the straight truth if you are trying (or thinking of trying) something counterproductive or unhealthy. I've read so many success stories of people who have lost 200+ pounds and I just wanted to throw in a few words of encouragement to you. My only recommendation at this point is don't lie to your food diary I have some issues myself with agoraphobia, shyness, panic, etc and you can keep that diary locked down and hidden from anyone's eyes but yours. That's what I do because it encourages me to be honest. A couple of days' worth of complete logs will tell you all you need to know about your special weaknesses (such as when I saw how many calories a day I was wasting on sugary drinks).

Good luck! :flowerforyou:

yayamom3

I am so proud of your courage, and I will be rooting for you every day! Don't forget to periodically take photos and measurements. They will motivate you on dark days. God bless!

MaggieTor3

Hi Snudgie - good luck to you!

I understand that you have problems to overcome more than just losing weight. I've had two broken ankles and a broken knee and all those joints are arthritic now, so exercise is not an easy thing. God bless the people here in MFP; what I would do without their success stories and encouragement and enthusiasm, I don't know. However, I've seen some of them make exercise suggestions because they don't know the difficulties some of us have to overcome. If you don't get off the couch much, it's pretty hard to think in terms of a 5-mile run!

I saw one post that suggested if you just move your arms while you're sitting, it will do you good. One way to do that is to conduct an orchestra. Find a recording (lots of them on Youtube) of some piece of classical music that you know. If you don't know much classical music, I bet you know some - Beethoven's 5th Symphony for instance (da da da DUM ... da da da DUM) or Tschaikovsky's 1812 Overture (that's the one with the cannons). Choose a recording of a conductor in front of an orchestra, and do what the conductor does - wave your arms! The conductor keeps the beat going, and he swoops his arms, or jabs his baton at one section when they have a special bit coming. That is VERY good heart exercise.

(Why do you think all the famous classical conductors live into their 90s?)

You'll be fine

Maggie

LadyMustard

If you want a place to start working out, try launchpad. You can find the workouts for free on youtube. They are split into 3 stages and are meant for those who can't handle jumping into "normal" workouts right away due to weight (350lbs+) or joint problems. All of the exercises are done from a chair, and are about 30 minutes long usually using body-weight as resistance.
Links to the 3 stages on youtube:
Stage 1 (episode 1): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-iKrlw00Dw
Stage 2 (episode 1): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDxtfDR9io8
Stage 3 (episode 1): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMrlFow-JWY

I've been a member of the main site the workouts come from (liveexercise) for a year now, and its a good company. Blake (the owner of the company that makes the bands used in the workouts) leads many of the workouts himself. I don't work for them, but I've come to really enjoy the workouts and the energy they put into it. Sadly, few people know about it so I try and spread the word.


Aside from exercising more, the only advice I can give is to try making little changes. I started losing weight after I started slowly cutting out pop. I lost a little bit more after I began drinking more water. A little more came off as I made more time to be active. A bit more after I limited myself to two helpings of food instead of three. Then only one, instead of two. Don't try everything at once, and take it one day at a time. Anyone who says that little changes can't change your life hasn't tried it. Feel free to friend me and message me if you need anything.

pattycakes80

believe in yourself and understand that your story is not complete yet. you get to change direction anytime you wish and now is the time!

as others have suggested, therapy can be incredibly helpful. you may be eating to hide/mask/numb issues that are begging to be dealt with. therapy can also be very empowering. taking the time to work on yourself is not just a gift, but requirement for a mentally healthy existance.

you are not your past. you are not the numbers on that scale. you a person that got stuck for a bit, but now it is time to move. best of luck!

gohun9008

im in the same boat i was your exact weight now im 419 probably water weight lost but still im loving using the MFP app scanning food labels inputting my servings and all for me its fun lol

DucklingtoSwan

You have definitely come to the right site! The vast (vast, vast VAST) majority of the members on here are SO supportive and kind, and have all been there in one way or another, and understand each others' struggles no matter what the actual numbers involve.

Sassy1701

You've made a huge step~ God BLess you on your daily pursuit of good health!!

EllenTebbits

Every time you have a victory, scale or non-scale, you inspire and encourage someone else. You can do this. Promise. Take it one meal at a time. One hour at a time.


Thoughts:

Lean on others for support.
Read the community boards/ success stories for inspiration.
Don't be afraid of "making a mistake". You will. We all do. Success comes from getting back on track.
Drink lots and lots and lots of water.
Track everything, even the binges.
Celebrate every single success, even if the needle on the scale doesn't move.
Try setting smaller goals-getting in your nutrition every day, for example, or getting enough water every day for a week, or eliminating a food for a while you wanted to eliminate, or cutting down on something (fat, sugar, salt, etc).
Try setting smaller weight loss goals and don't focus on how long it takes. You are changing your lifestyle and that doesn't have an end date. Diets are temporary.

lise1212

Yes! get your wife or a friend to keep you motivated and walk together. . .I know it's hard. . . the first time I walked/jogged after gaining like 40 lbs I justr about died and then cried because it made me realize how much my body had changed. . . running used to feel good. . . now it was torture! But don't fear! just keep walking, and your body will start changing. . . and don't overdo it or the pain will keep you immobile from then on. . . go easy and slow. . . you can do it!

MonkDogMom

I am two weeks in! Started at 210.08 and down 7 lbs.

I so identify with you "lise1212". Three years ago I was at the gym 6 days a week doing 30-40 minutes of cardio and 20 minutes of weight lifting. I was thrown from my horse and had to get back surgery!!! Ever since that back surgery, my weight climbed. I started back to the gym and jumped on the elliptical like I had never left. OMG, I was ready to quit after 10 minutes. It was such a let down; not to mention what the extra weight is doing to my lower lumbar and joints. I could hardly move!!!

Just have to have the motivation to keep pushing through. Talk about "No Pain No Gain"???