22 and slowly dying

sinfulstuffer

Hello myfitnesspal community. I'm a 22 year old male and I can slowly feel myself dying. I have always been overweight but not to this severity. when I was 16 as a freshman in high school I weighed about 250lbs. I played football so I was pretty active for the year. Sophomore year I jumped upto 280lbs and I had stopped playing football. At the end of my sophomore year I had started taking a ADHD medication that had a appetite suppressant as a side effect within 1 month I had dropped down to 233lbs. Ever since then I had only gone up in weight reaching a high of 360lbs for over a year... in the last 6 months I've gone up to 400 lbs. I don't want to live like this anymore. I've tried every fad diet and some of my sister's training but nothing has ever worked for me. I would say my daily calorie intake is between 4000-7000. I know that is way above my means but I can't help it. If something is there to eat I will eat it. I feel disgusted with myself. I want to be fit and healthy for the first time in my life. Can anyone help me.

ingsing

Have you seen a counsellor that deals with eating disorders?

sinfulstuffer

No, there isnt really anything like that where I live...that I've seen. mostly drug abuse counseling.

Nicolee_2014

I hope you get on track & back in control. I have no suggestions for you. Good luck.

sinfulstuffer

I feel like my only options are gastric bypass, lapband or end it all.....

juleszephyr

Talk to a doctor and they will be able to tell you where you can go for help. Start by doing some research online and look at what you should be consuming and think about ways of moving more to burn extra cals.

There are plenty of people who will support you here and not judge you. I lost 118lbs 6 years ago and it has stayed off, I know it is not as much as you want to lose but my weight was ruling my life.

Good luck...

brayman1701

Just take things one step at a time. Make one small change once a week and stick to it for a week and the next week make another change forget about your end goal just concentrate on the changes you have made that week. When your ready start logging your food here and pretty soon it will be a habit and you'll wonder why it was so hard.

I'm an emotional eater and I get that urge to eat something just because its there but what I have found has helped me and I know some people may think this is rubbish but I started meditating. When I started doing that I felt I could cope much better.

sunnyside1213

There are people on this forum/site that have lost 100s of lbs. It is achievable.

staceynewbon

the best thing to do is not to do too much too soon. if your eating 4-7000 calories stick to 4000 for a few weeks so its not too much of a shock and gradually cut down by a few hundred calories a week there after. try trading what u eat and drink for a low calorie alternative i.e instead of cola have cola zero .Also don't eat what you don't like because its low cal . you'd be surprised how many calories you can cut out without even noticing . Ive struggled with my weight too and managed to lose it all although i have gained it all back and im trying to lose it again, but this time i don't see it as a diet but a change in the way i live . its hard i know but if you ever want to talk your welcome to add me as a friend .

starrylioness

Well you're at the right place. I would suggest seeing your doctor first, to make sure you're okay.

Second, start things here at MFP. Set your height/weight information as well as your activity level so MFP can suggest a calorie intake amount for you. Then follow that along with plenty of exercise and lots of water! Honestly, that's how I've lost my weight. It's totally possible for you to get down to a healthy weight. Don't lose hope. It just takes dedication.

rnctipton

You have to make the very difficult decision that you want to be healthy more than anything else! Once you do that, you can follow MFP's guidelines for calorie intake to begin your journey to wellness. Only YOU can decide what to eat and how much. Portion control is the best first step. Don't limit kinds of food & drink, but DO limit the amounts you ingest. Stick close to your calorie goal and it will work. YOU CAN DO IT!! The hardest part is making the decision to be commited to it. Don't fret if you sometimes go over your calories, if you are making improvements overall. Exercise is great, but not absolutely necessary to begin with. If you can add in some walking, that will help. The whole point is...JUST DO IT! It's not easy, but can be done with some effort. Good luck to you! (You also may want to consider finding a counselor, as previously suggested!)

GiveMeCoffee

Welcome! You can lose the weight. It takes lots of patience and consistency but it can be done. Good Luck to you!

Read this success story:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1103164-3-yrs-312lbs-lost-1yr-from-bodylift-and-maintenance

Log your food accurately and honestly. Go for 80% good choices the other 20% don't worry so much about. I eat lots of delicious food and have consistently lost. Keep it simple find a REASONABLE deficit:

If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal
If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal
If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal
If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal
If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide?hl=logging+step+guide

Find an activity you enjoy doing - I found I love to ride my bike and lift heavy stuff

Here are 2 more threads that will help take the time to read them:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here?hl=so+you're+new+here

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

LTGPSA

I'm no medically trained expert, but my opinion is that you have to want to help yourself. As far as I know we were each given one life to live - do you want to live yours or do you want to continue the way you are (which you already realize where that will eventually lead)? It's a daily struggle for many of us here - but that is why we are here - to help ourselves and each other. Yes, you have a lot of extra weight, but you would not be the first person to have lost it - if it's really what you want to achieve. There are many who have used MFP to accomplish big goals. The thing is - it's not going to drop off over night. One day at a time... I do not agree with the surgical "solution" - EVER. But that's just me. I wish you all the best on getting your head on straight - which will enable you to work toward success. P.S. Ditch the word "can't." :flowerforyou:

GreenIceFloes

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1103164-3-yrs-312lbs-lost-1yr-from-bodylift-and-maintenance

You have less to lose than he did. And just look at him today.
All the best. :flowerforyou:

Jessie24330

You don't have to start out eating 1200 calories a day. In fact, I wouldn't recommend it. You can go with the calorie goal that this site tells you or you can search around and find your own number. You will still be able to eat a lot of food with the calories you will be given and sticking to that number will be your first small step. Try to make better choices for food (baked over fried, homemade over eating out, etc). You don't have to do it all at once, just make small steps and you will get there. You don't have to cut anything you love out completely, you just have to make sure it fits in your daily goals and that you are getting enough healthy food to balance it out. One year from now you are either going to be heavier or healthier and that happens one step and one bite at a time. Just because you are not going to wake up 120lbs lighter tomorrow doesn't mean you shouldn't try to do your best today.

Nuttynutnuts

Good luck! You can do this. You already made the decision to join Myfitnesspal and you know you need to change, and that's a good start.

I've tried every fad diet and some of my sister's training but nothing has ever worked for me.

Stay away from fad diets. Losing weight is about changing your habits for life, not going on a diet. You have to make changes you can stick with. You can still eat the foods you enjoy, in sensible portions. I would suggest don't make any huge changes right away, start with logging what you're eating, and then figure out ways you can reduce your calorie intake. Try out new recipes and make substitutions that you can live with and enjoy. Most importantly be patient - you might need to log at a deficit for a few weeks before the weight starts coming off, but if you log food accurately it will come off.

Exercise is good but again you have to find something you can enjoy so it's sustainable. I find walking while listening to music or a podcast really relaxing and not too hard to start with.

I sent you a friend request if you'd like support along the way. Good luck! :flowerforyou:

justlosingtheweight

I am 302 lbs I suffer with chronic anxiety, depression and insomnia. I know its so hard to get the motivation to do things. You burn calories at rest. Try taking 1000 or 2000 cals off first and drink plenty of water. I lost 14 lbs with basically no exercise apart from some mild arm exercises

justlosingtheweight

Once you start losing weight you will feel better, be healthier, more confident and more motivated

mockchoc

We are all here to help. Don't give up. Happy to help in any way. Send friends requests to us all. This is honestly an amazing website. You an do it. It's not too hard and no need to starve at all.

peonycarol

You have made the first step! Congratulations! That is a HUGE victory! I`ll tell you what...my friend just had done what they call the "Sleeve". It is a new procedure. She had it done about the same time I started with MFP. I have lost 45 lbs working my a** off and she has lost over 80 without any exercise and just modifying her diet because she could no longer eat the way she used to. It was an absolute GOD send to her! Her story is much like your own. Talk to a doctor and do some reasearch on it! WAY less invasive than anything else out there and, I believe, she was back home the same or next day! GOD LUCK TO YOU! I wish you all the best and KEEP THE FAITH!!!

sloth3toes

Welcome! You can lose the weight. It takes lots of patience and consistency but it can be done. Good Luck to you!

Read this success story:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1103164-3-yrs-312lbs-lost-1yr-from-bodylift-and-maintenance

Log your food accurately and honestly. Go for 80% good choices the other 20% don't worry so much about. I eat lots of delicious food and have consistently lost. Keep it simple find a REASONABLE deficit:

If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal
If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal
If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal
If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal
If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide?hl=logging+step+guide

Find an activity you enjoy doing - I found I love to ride my bike and lift heavy stuff

Here are 2 more threads that will help take the time to read them:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here?hl=so+you're+new+here

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

^^^ THIS^^^ and especially these two links, repeated for emphasis......

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here?hl=so+you're+new+here

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

JeffInJax

For what its worth bud i know how you feel. I was absolutely disgusted with myself after ballooning up all the way to 380 at my highest. It seems like a dark tunnel with no light at the end but in truth its there, just far away. Im not going to sugar coat it or lie to you and say that it will be an easy journey and there will not be bumps on the road, but i will say that its absolutely possible. Im around 24 pounds to my goal now after losing 131 pounds in a few years and to be honest nothing can stop me. I used to try the fad diets and say nothing works, i cant do it...but in the end i realized it was just me not truly being accountable for my actions. The first few weeks up to a month you will be hungry restricting your calories even if you eat 100% healthy foods and your full amount of calories, but it does go away. You will feel like crap and not want to do anything because your body is used to getting tons of calories and it wont be anymore but it will get better and you will feel better. You have to remember though that this will all go away, it will all get better, you just have to have strength on your end to get through the trying times and the resolve to conquer the obstacles set out before you. If you were in football you know hard work reaps benefits, and you will feel great doing this on your own.

That being said if you feel the only option is something along the lines of a lap band then begin consulting a doctor and find out the best course of action. All the best to you!

mamadon

Its tough to lose a lot of weight, I'm not going to say it isn't. For people like you and me, food can give us comfort and fill a void in our lives. Losing weight is not simply a physical thing either, you have to stop having a self defeating attitude also. I dont say this to be mean, but because it is the truth. Once I stopped beating myself up for every mistake I made in trying to lose weight, it got so much easier. I would try to lose weight, fall off the wagon for a meal or a day, and say to myself, "I cant do this" and just give up. This time around, I shrugged it off, and kept going forward.
It can seem so completly overwhelming when you have a ton of weight to lose. You just have to take it a day at a time, sometimes hour by and and even minute by minute. It does get easier though.
Some will advise you to eat low carb, or low fat, etc. etc. Eat at a calorie deficit, in a way that is sustainable for you for the long haul. I hope this helps.

Alatariel75

OP, read this thread. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1103164-3-yrs-312lbs-lost-1yr-from-bodylift-and-maintenance

That's Ed. Ed is amazing. He lost over 300lbs and is a tremendous inspiration.

andreahanlon

I would suggest you look into behavioral psychology principles. These are taught by drug rehab programs, weight watchers, etc. and includes ideas such as reorganizing your environment for success, using substitution, gaining social support, increasing motivation by making a list of reasons you want to succeed, etc.

Ways this would work in your case would be things like buying measuring cups and a food scale, not having unhealthy trigger foods in your environment, changing food choices such as using things like baked zucchini fries or sweet potato fries instead of regular deep fried French fries, enlisting support from family and friends and professionals, and thinking about what would motivate you to change toward a healthier lifestyle.

Then take it one step, one day, one success at a time!

touslesmemes

I feel like my only options are gastric bypass, lapband or end it all.....

Your life is not over. You should not "end it all". You require medical attention, a doctor and a social support system. You can do it. Maybe start a weightloss blog, if you want an online support net. There are those who can relate, you are not alone.

_Zardoz_

Hello myfitnesspal community. I'm a 22 year old male and I can slowly feel myself dying. I have always been overweight but not to this severity. when I was 16 as a freshman in high school I weighed about 250lbs. I played football so I was pretty active for the year. Sophomore year I jumped upto 280lbs and I had stopped playing football. At the end of my sophomore year I had started taking a ADHD medication that had a appetite suppressant as a side effect within 1 month I had dropped down to 233lbs. Ever since then I had only gone up in weight reaching a high of 360lbs for over a year... in the last 6 months I've gone up to 400 lbs. I don't want to live like this anymore. I've tried every fad diet and some of my sister's training but nothing has ever worked for me. I would say my daily calorie intake is between 4000-7000. I know that is way above my means but I can't help it. If something is there to eat I will eat it. I feel disgusted with myself. I want to be fit and healthy for the first time in my life. Can anyone help me.

The only person that can help you is you. We can give you advice and support but the action has to come form you. You've written a post so it means that you realise something has to change. There are some great links people have posted and also as others have suggested a visit to discuss this with your doctor could be a great next step.

So you've made one step by admitting and realising you need to do something so now for the next step. Good luck

knittingayle

Some great advice here. Each day, each moment is a choice. Some choices are easier than others. I'm working on making better choices about what I put into my body, and how much exercise/effort I make with my body. I'm choosing to deal with my emotions up front rather than comforting myself with food and buying new things.

We each have our own choices to make. Sometimes there are extenuating factors, but we can make informed choices. You don't have to make drastic changes to see changes in your body. Use MFP to log everything you eat. Everything. Seriously. I thought I didn't eat that much until I started using MFP. It's made a huge difference. When traveling or eating out, I take a photo of my meal and log it later. Am I perfect? No. I have 140 lbs to go and it's going to take a long time to get it off and keep it off. Choose to join us in this journey called life.

About gastric bypass: for some, yes, it's been a miracle. The sleeve procedure, the lapband, etc. has also worked miracles for some. However, I also know folks who lost lots of weight (100+ lbs) and then gained it all back and more. Seems impossible, yes? One friend who was successful told me that he went through a boot camp of sorts before and for 6-8 weeks after the procedure. He had to deal with his emotional baggage, and also learn how to work with his new stomach and new body. For many of us, eating and not exercising is largely emotional -- and if we don't address those issues, then we're not going to have long-term success with weight loss, no matter the method.

Please folks, feel free to disagree. And OP, we want you to succeed. We're all slowly dying, but I've decided to kick it hard while I'm here and breathing!

And yes, do see a medical professional!!

MichelleV1990

Welcome! You have definitely come to the right place. This is a very caring and supportive board! I'm just starting back up myself and am no expert whatsoever, but may I suggest that you begin each meal with 2-3 large glasses of water? It fills you up quicker and helps flush your system. Eat smaller portions, and more frequently to keep your blood sugar levels from bottoming out. It's better to eat 6 smaller meals than 3 huge ones. Use a smaller plate, too, so you can't fill it as full. Eat plenty of raw vegetables at snack time....They are so low in calories, you can eat as much as you want. Don't eat in front of the TV...we have a tendency to graze more when engrossed in a program. It's better to make yourself sit at the dining room table. Get moving, even if it's only on the couch at first. You can do plenty of leg and arm lifts from a seated position and incorporate dumbbells into your routine. If you don't have a pool, try the local YMCA, or Wellness Center. Swimming is wonderful, and gets the whole body involved. I'm hoping that you don't resort to surgery. I have seen several people go through all of the discomfort, only to put it all back on over time. Oh, I almost forgot...use your food and exercise diaries faithfully. There's something about seeing what you put into your mouth in print that makes you want to do better. If you'd like to add me to your support team, feel free. I need all the help I can get, too!

gypsy_spirit

Hello myfitnesspal community. I'm a 22 year old male and I can slowly feel myself dying. I have always been overweight but not to this severity. when I was 16 as a freshman in high school I weighed about 250lbs. I played football so I was pretty active for the year. Sophomore year I jumped upto 280lbs and I had stopped playing football. At the end of my sophomore year I had started taking a ADHD medication that had a appetite suppressant as a side effect within 1 month I had dropped down to 233lbs. Ever since then I had only gone up in weight reaching a high of 360lbs for over a year... in the last 6 months I've gone up to 400 lbs. I don't want to live like this anymore. I've tried every fad diet and some of my sister's training but nothing has ever worked for me. I would say my daily calorie intake is between 4000-7000. I know that is way above my means but I can't help it. If something is there to eat I will eat it. I feel disgusted with myself. I want to be fit and healthy for the first time in my life. Can anyone help me.

The only person that can help you is you. We can give you advice and support but the action has to come form you. You've written a post so it means that you realise something has to change. There are some great links people have posted and also as others have suggested a visit to discuss this with your doctor could be a great next step.

So you've made one step by admitting and realising you need to do something so now for the next step. Good luck

This - the ball is in your court. I'm only going to add that you should definitely do it NOW. Please do not wait for years and years trying every fad that comes along. You'll end up way down the road with nothing to show except more depression and frustration. Read the links posted earlier in your thread and educate yourself on how to make your body the awesome machine it can be. Work hard, eat right (and enough) and enjoy the benefits of health - while you're still young.

soteniliene

Double post, sorry!